Question about Skylark auto-ride control

[korbendallas68]

I went to a junkyard yesterday and started to pull some stuff out of a like a 92 or 93 skylark. I noticed it has a panel by the fog-light switch to control the ride:
soft
auto
sport

You can select which one you want. anyone know how this works?

[Doubt_Incarnate]

probably adjust air pressure, i now the ssei bonneveiles had it too. check out the shocks that should tell you the story.

[korbendallas68]

Hmm. I'll check that out. Sounds kinda cool, but the car is pretty well gutted in the motor area though, so hopefully its not anything from there too.

[Cliff8928]

That's freaky! I thought that was just a SCX thing. That is option code "FX3"

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
04 AleroGX

[korbendallas68]

Ahh. In the higher-end Achieva's?

Cool. FX3? Never heard that one.

[Cliff8928]

Yeah, the FX3 suspension is basically an adjustable sport suspension, it's even uncommon on a 'vette. The Achieva SCX was the limited production model with the high-output "W41" Quad4 with 195 HP (slightly less in later years). It was the high-end for performance only, not necessarily other options.


Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
04 AleroGX

[achievasc92]

FX3 was an avaliable option on SCs as well, my 92 has it. Or had it, the shocks/struts in there now are just regular ones since it costs a ridiculous amount of money to buy the GM replacements. The adjustable rear shock price isn't bad but the front struts are pretty expensive.

[korbendallas68]

Do have any pics on anything of the set-up? I'm just very curious.

[achievasc92]

This is all I have right now, I've never traced the wires to see if they went through the ECM or what. I'm guessing that the "brains" of whatever the shock/strut does is a part of the assembly, that probably explains why they are so expensive. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, information on the system is pretty scarce and since the original shocks/struts were replaced in my car before I got it, all I really have are the plugs and controls.

Depending on whether the suspension control is wired into the ECM or not, it should be a simple plug and play install.

http://www.gmpower.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=412666

http://www.gmpower.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=412660

That's all I have, its not much to look at, which leads me to believe that the more interesting and important parts of the system are built into the strut assemblies.

EDIT: I forget if it was my owner's manual or my repair book that explained a little more about the system, I'll have to check. I believe "AUTO" was "Soft setting" below 15 or 20 mph and then swtches to "sport" setting above that. I'll have to check.

[korbendallas68]

Ahh. Thanks! I got the swtch panel from the car, I will go back when it stops raining and pull the dash apart. Hopefully the harness isn't to mangled.

This car is prettty decked out, looks like leather and cloth mixed seats.

[achievasc92]

I found my 94 book, but still can't find my 92 manual. I'm pretty sure there's detailed info in the 92 book so I'll keep looking.

[achievasc92]

Found the book and here's a brief overview, there's 20 pages of info, schematics and diagnostic charts so if you have any specific questions I'll try to get back to you.
----------------------------

The Computer Command Ride (CCR) system controls the firmness of the vehicles ride by automatically controlling an actuator in each of the 4 struts to increase ride firmness as speed increases. There are 3 modes, Soft Auto and Sport. Damping mode selection is controlled by the CCR control module according to vehicle speed conditions, vehicle lateral accelerator switch input, driver select switch position, and any error codes which may exist.

Struts
Each strut has an electrical actuator which rotates a selector valve to a specific location commanded by the Control Module. The valve creates different size orifices thereby controlling damping rate in each individual strut. Actuators are intergral parts of the strut and are not seperately sevicable.

Speed input
in "Soft" switch position:
Below 5 mph= sport mode
above 5 mph=soft mode

In "Auto"Switch position
Below 5mph=sport mode
5-47 mph= soft mode
above 47 mph= normal mode

In "Sport" switch postion "sport mode" damping is always in effect.

Lateral accelerator switch input:
This switch is used for lift, dive and roll control when driver switch is in either "Soft" or "Auto" position. The switch triggers "Sport mode" damping when the switch detects lift/roll, or dive conditions.


The CCR control module is located in the passenger dash, get to it through the glove box. The Lateral accelerator switch is located under the passenger seat, apparently under the carpetting. And a wiring harness is wired back by the passenger rear shock, probably burried in the trunk.