Re: 55 Packard Clipper Constellation levelling system
Posted by HH56 On 2023/7/9 16:53:53
With any aftermarket switches in the system it is hard to say what might have been done or how. It will probably require you to chase down connections wire for wire to have an understanding of your system.
For the suspension to stay at an up or down limit that even a manual switch would not override could be a limit switch has been activated and has stuck or a fuse has blown.
There are two fuses. On a 55 the control switch and circuitry is handled by the body feed fuse under the dash. The motor and solenoids are protected by an inline fuse located in a red wire and probably placed in the wire a few inches away from the starter motor.
If fuses check good you will need to go under the car and look at the limit switch to make sure the bar at the end of the arm which is touced by one of the transverse bars is in the center and free to move side to side.
As far as no automatic leveling, that could be fuse, the on/off switch could have been accidentally turned off, or possibly the control switch contacts have oxidized and are no longer able to make contact.
Here is a photo of the limit sw by Stewart B. and a wiring diagram of the stock system which show the proper connection for the 56 factory supplied manual switch added in. The manual switch was a 56 option and while it can be properly added to 55's, the stock 55 terminals at the control switch are not the same so instructions would be slightly different. With you having a toggle switch instead of the factory push/pull switch, yours was probably a home made setup so no idea how or where it might have been connected in.
Attach file:
55 Limit and solenoid.jpg (148.81 KB)
55Schem With Override.jpg (91.20 KB)
For the suspension to stay at an up or down limit that even a manual switch would not override could be a limit switch has been activated and has stuck or a fuse has blown.
There are two fuses. On a 55 the control switch and circuitry is handled by the body feed fuse under the dash. The motor and solenoids are protected by an inline fuse located in a red wire and probably placed in the wire a few inches away from the starter motor.
If fuses check good you will need to go under the car and look at the limit switch to make sure the bar at the end of the arm which is touced by one of the transverse bars is in the center and free to move side to side.
As far as no automatic leveling, that could be fuse, the on/off switch could have been accidentally turned off, or possibly the control switch contacts have oxidized and are no longer able to make contact.
Here is a photo of the limit sw by Stewart B. and a wiring diagram of the stock system which show the proper connection for the 56 factory supplied manual switch added in. The manual switch was a 56 option and while it can be properly added to 55's, the stock 55 terminals at the control switch are not the same so instructions would be slightly different. With you having a toggle switch instead of the factory push/pull switch, yours was probably a home made setup so no idea how or where it might have been connected in.
Attach file:
55 Limit and solenoid.jpg (148.81 KB)
55Schem With Override.jpg (91.20 KB)
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