Thanks for a note on the accummulator test. The Popular Mechanics CD for this car recommended clamping that 5mm i.d. hose to prevent a failed accummulator from dumping its pressure back out into thenon-pressure side of the pumps.

That hose can only be disconnected at the acummulator side.

I should disconnect this hose from the back of the accummulator and plug the hose, right? Then look for continual leakage at the back of the accummulator to indicate it is bad, right? That makes sense.

Did you offer this as a lilely solution, or a different test for an unlikely culprit?

Thanks.