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can anyone point to an illustration or break down of the torsion level system on the packardashian patrician ? I understand there is a light bulb switch or something in the rear end or tail lights that the torsion system runs through and so on. I am going to get mine running and looking for information on how it is setup and how it works and where the breakdown maybe. Thanks

You can download section 16 -- steering and suspension -- of the 55-6 service manual from the literature section. That will give you the mechanical details. There is a basic wiring diagram in section 8 -- electrical -- of the service manual but here is the complete 55 TL electrical schematic showing all the contacts inside the components which the basic diagram does not offer.

There are several switches in the circuit but the one you probably refer to in regards to lights is the brake light switch. It is a special 3 terminal switch and a frequent source of issues. If you start troubleshooting and find you have no voltage feeding the control switch then assuming the main on/off switch under the dash edge is on suspect the brake light switch. That is located on top of the frame rail under the battery and vent tube. The 3 terminal switches are getting scarce and expensive so many of the vendors sell a kit containing a relay and readily available 2 terminal switch to take its place -- usually at less cost than the 3 terminal switch.

There are some differences between 55 and 56 systems and the weather resistant compensator control switch was one item that could have been installed on your 55 after it left the factory. If things are not quite as the drawing shows as far as pink and yellow wires going to the switch that is the most likely reason. Orange and blue instead of yellow and pink were the colors in the short section spliced onto the 55 loom to make the 56 switch work. The old bimetal type switches are not repairable so some of the vendors and regions have come up with solid state circuitry to replace the bimetal contacts. Switches are exchanged and reworked so a control switch you get today will most likely be the solid state conversions.

In a nutshell, the control switch senses level via a link from the L main suspension bar. If the car is out of level a contact inside the control sw closes and starts heating a bimetal strip. After about 6-7 seconds the strip closes another contact and brings in a relay. The relay grounds (via the limit switch) a solenoid which starts the motor. As the car reaches level the mechanical contacts open, the relay drops out the solenoid and the motor stops. The system is kept from operating when the brakes are on via the third terminal on the brake switch or when the under dash switch is off.

For 55 the motor and solenoid fuse is located inline with the feed wire a few inches away from the starter motor. The brake light/control switch fuse is in the fuse block under the dash and is the one labeled body feed. Solenoids are special needing a ground to operate them and are NOT the same as a starter solenoid from the parts store.

Once you get familiar with the system if there are any questions someone can walk you thru some common areas where problems have occurred.

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