2000 Park Avenue Ultra

I have a 2000 Park Avenue Ultra that I bought for my wife. Lately the rear end bounces like it has no shocks on it. I have been told that there is some kind of air pump that controls the shocks. I have looked under the car and I can see the air lines similar to the ones I had on my 1969 roadrunner back in the early 70's. My question is, how do I go about trouble shooting this problem. I have been told to look from anything like a fuse to a crimped airline. But I need a starting place.

Thanks, Jim

Welcome to AF! First step in the diagnosis of the rear struts is to pull the rear tires/wheels and look at the struts for signs of fluid leaking. The bladders should feel firm with the standard 15 psig residual pressure maintained by the compressor. If the bladders feel like a flat tire, you should check the operation of the compressor. If the compressor is running, but the bladders have a leak, of course they will not hold air. If you have a leak, this can be verified with a soapy water test. Mix a small amount of dishwashing detergent & water in a spray bottle and spray a mist on the bladders. (Same procedure used for finding air leaks in tires) If the compressor is not pumping, check the fuse in the main fuse panel identified as ALC. Of course, you could have leaks elsewhere, but first confirm that the compressor is operational.

i agree on could be pump.or like my dad had there was a hole in the rubber you may even want to check the lines going to them see if one those are leaking.

Hi, thanks for the quick reply. Could you tell me where to look for the pump.

Jim


Welcome to AF! First step in the diagnosis of the rear struts is to pull the rear tires/wheels and look at the struts for signs of fluid leaking. The bladders should feel firm with the standard 15 psig residual pressure maintained by the compressor. If the bladders feel like a flat tire, you should check the operation of the compressor. If the compressor is running, but the bladders have a leak, of course they will not hold air. If you have a leak, this can be verified with a soapy water test. Mix a small amount of dishwashing detergent & water in a spray bottle and spray a mist on the bladders. (Same procedure used for finding air leaks in tires) If the compressor is not pumping, check the fuse in the main fuse panel identified as ALC. Of course, you could have leaks elsewhere, but first confirm that the compressor is operational.

should be on drivers side i think under hood. but let someone start it up and you should be able to hear pump if not all the way out? and if you cant hear it put some wait in trunk then listen for it to kick on.

should be on drivers side i think under hood. but let someone start it up and you should be able to hear pump if not all the way out? and if you cant hear it put some wait in trunk then listen for it to kick on.IIRC, the pump on a 2000 is mounted under the car and center near the gas tank.

Oh Joy, Thanks, will check.

Jim


IIRC, the pump on a 2000 is mounted under the car and center near the gas tank.

My 99 PA Ultra dropped down last time I put a load in it and never leveled up (worked fine a few months ago). I was checking for fuses and it has fuses labeled ELC in the two fuse boxes in the cabin (one under dash on passenger side behind a hush panel with a couple 7mm screws, haven't found it yet, other under rear seat, actually a circuit breaker that was not tripped in my case), but none in the main fuse box. I haven't heard the pump and don't know when I'll have time to look for it, but I'm hoping it's in the same place between 99 and 2000. I figured I'd mention this in case you can't find any ALC fuses in the main fuse box (I know they changed some stuff between 99 and 2000, but I thought it was mostly aesthetic, and there might be an ALC fuse I didn't notice anyway). I'm also not sure whether or not it has bladders, though the lines could still leak, I had a guy replace the struts a while back (everything was still working right after that), and I think the air lines went straight into them (but I didn't see, I was told).