1991 park avenue electric motor keeps running

[ac700wildcat]

There is an electric motor of some sort that keeps running in my moms 1991 park avenue with the 3800 series motor. This motor is on the drivers side of the engine compartment right behind the air cleaner. She just called me because her car wouldn't start. The combination of this running quite often and it being -16 right now have killed the battery, reducing the starter to only clicking. The battery is marked feb 2003, so its probably time to change it anyways, so I'll do that. I'd like to fix whatever the problem is with this motor so it doesn't kill another battery. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Matt

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. Sounds like the level ride compressor, disconnect it for now so it won't kill the battery, then at some time get it checked out, may be a bad relay.

[HotZ28]

That electric motor under the hood, mounted on the fender-well, is an air compressor for the rear air struts (ELC). Evidently the strut bladders are leaking air and the compressor is trying in vain to keep them inflated. Look in the fuse panel under the driver’s side dash and remove the #12 fuse labeled ELC - it is a 20-amp fuse. You should be ok until you can replace the rear struts and get the system back in operation.

[ac700wildcat]

Thanks for the information. Would it be ok to just hook a toggle switch up, so she can flip it on when she gets in the car? It runs about every five or ten minutes, so the leak must not be too bad. I hate to put a bunch of money into such an old car at this point. She has had quite a few problems with it and I think she'll be getting rid of it in the near future.

[brcidd]

Most people I know in your type of situation just unplug it forever....so it rides a little low- now she is in style....

[maxwedge]

Yes the switch issue would work, but remember to turn it off when leaving the car.