Cadillac Repair: 99 Cadillac Deville, buick park ave, shocks and struts

Question
QUESTION: I am hearing grinding noises when hitting speed bumps.  Could it be shocks and struts or just the airbag for the shocks going bad?  Also when I mash the gas pedal from a complete stop, feel vibration near pedal and the computer on dashboard will say "traction engaged" but I don't mash the pedal hard at all.  What can that be?

Thanks,
Detron

ANSWER: Detron,
Grinding noise when hitting bumps? Any noise caused by hitting bumps is generally either a loose component, or a worn component. I'd start by checking the shocks/struts for sure. It's doubtful that an air bladder would be the source. It IS possible that something is hanging loose under the car and is then rubbing up against something else. In cases like this, I usually do a thorough inspection of the undercarriage.
As for the T/C issue, sounds normal to me.

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QUESTION: The traction control does it every time and I have a GMC Yukon and I don't have the traction control problem not even with other cars I drove.  Also when I crank the Cadillac up, I don't hear the airbag noise for the shocks start up.  Is that an indication for new airbags?  I had a Buick Park Ave and when I lifted the car via a carjack, I would hear the car trying to level itself out.  Pls share your wisdom.

Thanks

ANSWER: Detron,
Your question is a little tough to follow but I'll try.
First of all, the T/C system on the '99 Deville is VERY easy to get to come on because the car is FWD, and has a fairly torquey engine. VERY easy to get the front tires to break traction on those cars. You really can't compare that to a GMC Yukon, especially if the Yukon is a 4WD one.
Regarding the suspension noise, I'm not understanding your statement, "...when I crank the Cadillac up, I don't hear the airbag noise for the shocks start up.."
The part about the Park Ave. is at least semi-common since that ELC system stayed on after the key was turned off but, I'm unsure how that relates to your issue with the Deville.

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QUESTION: Regarding the suspension, I was trying to say when I lifted the Buick Park Ave, there was a grinding noise that sounded like it was leveling the car out.  I was thinking since it's a GM vehicle that the Cadillac would respond the same way and that is what I was trying to compare to the way the Cadillac was suppose to act. How do you know when the airbags are bad and need to be replaced. I apologize that I am not knowledgeable on how cars work.;

Thanks

Answer
Detron,
Okay, NOW I get you. You're talking about the ELC compressor. The compressor has a built-in delay that keeps it from reacting to transient movements of the suspension. Basically, the car has to be low for several seconds before the system will kick on. As for checking the system, it's simply a matter of stepping up onto the rear of the car and counting to 30. Within that time, the compressor should come on and raise the car to make up for your weight. If the compressor comes on but the car does not rise, there's a problem. If the compressor does not come on, there's a problem. As for checking the bladders on the shocks, if the system is working and they are leaking, the compressor would run continuously until the built-in safety timer shut it off (about 2min. as I recall).