[Dailydragger101]

I have a 1996 Cadillac Deville

I looked up the code and it says:
Electronic Level Control Exhaust Valve Short to Ground/Open.

Does anyone know what to do about fixing that?

 

[mcowden]

I have a 1996 Cadillac Deville

I looked up the code and it says:
Electronic Level Control Exhaust Valve Short to Ground/Open.

Does anyone know what to do about fixing that?

You've got the code right. This is a problem with the solenoid that lets air out of the system. Usually it's caused by water that somehow got into the system and rusted or otherwise corroded something away. I just fixed this same problem on my 96 Seville.

You can buy the ELC parts separate from a dealership or from www.gmpartsdirect.com. There is a pump mechanism that includes the ELC exhaust valve and an air dryer. I think I remember pricing both parts at about $450-500 online, and the dealership wanted over $600. I wound up buying a used one that came from an Olds Aurora for $100. The mounting bracket was different, but easy to change over, and it saved quite a few bux as you can see.

On the 96 Seville, the pump and dryer are mounted above the rear axle. It's a little tricky to find all the bolts that hold it up there, but none of them are hard to remove. You will probably have to remove the clip and air dryer cylinder from the pump assembly before you can remove the whole thing from above the axle. Just be sure you keep the mounting brackets in case you get a used one from a different car. When you remove the brackets, be very careful not to get dust or other contaminants into the crankcase of the new pump. Also be careful not to cut the plastic air lines by pinching them or rubbing them against something sharp or abrasive. If there are already cracks or holes in the air lines, replace them before replacing the pump.

Once you've replaced the pump, also check the ELC fuse and replace if necessary. Clear out the RS0038 code or disconnect the battery for 30 seconds and you should be in business. You will probably notice the pump kick on when you turn the ignition on, and the exhaust valve letting a bit of air out when you turn it off and get out of the car.

Hope that helps! Good luck... :wave:

 

[kwalker1]

I have the same code on my 96 Seville, I tried finding the parts you recommended but have had no luck. Does anyone know the actual part name and possibly part number for the ELC pump?

 

[mcowden]

I have the same code on my 96 Seville, I tried finding the parts you recommended but have had no luck. Does anyone know the actual part name and possibly part number for the ELC pump?

On www.gmpartsdirect.com, the part number for the compressor is 22120632 and the air dryer part number is 22153443. If you talk with a dealer, you're looking for the Electronic Level Control compressor and air dryer. I don't know if the part numbers are the same between the web site and a dealer's information. (anyone else care to clarify this?)

When I talked with a dealership in the Chicago area, they wanted about $600 for the two parts. For some reason, I can't ever get the ELC compressor to show up in my cart on gmpartsdirect, so I don't know what they want for it, but the dryer is about $55.00 through the web site, about half what the dealership wanted, so I would guess the compressor would be about $250-$350 from there.

If you know of a good salvage yard, you may be able to get one from them. I found mine at Fierge Auto Parts in Quincy, IL. www.fierge.com For a 1996 Seville SLS, the compressor is the same as an Olds Aurora, but you have to change over the mounting brackets. That's easy enough, and for a do-it-yourselfer, the $100 used Aurora compressor and another 5 minutes changing out a bracket is well worth the savings over $300-$600 from a web site or a dealership.

Hope that helps... Good luck! :wave:

 

[Cyberdan3]

I had this same code in my history in my ECM. What exactly is this going to help with? My car runs fine now, so how will i benefit from this?? Will I get better gas mileage??

 

[mcowden]

I had this same code in my history in my ECM. What exactly is this going to help with? My car runs fine now, so how will i benefit from this?? Will I get better gas mileage??

It won't make it run any better, and it probably won't affect gas mileage at all. The Electronic Level Control system adjusts the rear suspension height by pumping in or releasing air to compensate for changing load, etc. If it's not working, which is indicated by the RS0038 code and several others, it's possible the rear of the car would sit very low if you have a lot of weight in the back seat, trunk, etc. If the rear of the car is sitting low, the front may be sitting high, and that could affect gas mileage to some degree, but I doubt it would be very noticeable. The suspension position is used along with lots of other inputs by the Northstar system computers to determine things like power steering assist rates, shock damping rates, etc. So, because the ride height is affected by lack of ELC compensation, there would be some kind of weirdness introduced into the ride control system, but I don't know exactly what would happen. I drove my '96 SLS for over a year with the problem and noticed some difference when I fixed it, but it wasn't anything major.

Hope that answers your question!

 

[rayntx]

I got the same code on my deville, and I am in the process of changing out the compressor, but my question is where exactally is the fuse for the E.L.C. I know it is in the front engine compartment on the drivers side, but in what fuse slot. I checked the owners manual, but it is different than the diagram that is in the cover of the fuse box.............need some help.............thanks

 

[[email protected]]

Similar problem is occurring on my 1998 Seville SLS yet the compressor works all too well... in fact the ELC compressor runs all the time and the rear raises to maximum level... if I did not know any better I'd laugh as the vehicle's rear-end is jacked way up in the back, appearing like one of those monstosities that some of motorheads would do to their cars back in the 60's and 70's. Yet this isn't funny at all... I've the pulled fuse for for RSS until the issue can be more fully diagnosed. Will post back once the real culprit part is identified.

 

[cancuncaddy]

hey dailydragger it sounds like youre jumping the gun on youre suspension diagnostics !!! if you pull the MAXIFUSE which is under the plastic cover on the drivers side fender there are two rows of maxifuses on the passenger side row the second one from the top i believe says 60 amps YOU NEED TO CHECK THAT FUSE FIRST! THEN FIND OUT WHY YOU BLEW THE FUSE (SHORT,EXCESSIVE AMPERAGE ,STUCK SOLENOID ,ETC! ) FIRST REPLACE THE FUSE CHECK THE CONNECTORS AND CHECK FOR CODES! IN THE BACK OF YOURE OWNERS MANUAL THERE IS A CONCISE DIAGRAM AND EXPLANATION OF USES FOR YOUR FUSES!!