Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It's very likely to be the height corrector - either it is not positioned correctly, and or the data it is sending is out of range and the suspension ECU cannot interpret the data so inhibits height correction.

PS I would not even contemplate taking this to a garage that has no experience with these - they can make things worse. You really need to get it to a Citroen specialist with knowledge of Hydractive suspension or the dealer will be able to position and apply and set the height correction procedure.
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by myglaren »

I wonder if the height corrector itself is defective - e.g. burned out or contaminated tracks
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I wonder if a BSi reset could be worth trying here. That way, if there is a glitch, this should clear it (however, any true problems will not be resolved by it).

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... 51&t=61997
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

Thanks hell razor,I did try that with no success
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

Is it possible that the pump could not have enough power to lift the front because of the extra weight of the engine?
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Gibbo2286 »

As has been said by others it's most likely to be a height corrector problem, either faulty or maladjusted.

If you get under there and attempt to adjust it heed the safety warnings to be sure the car doesn't drop and crush you.

I think the procedure for adjusting is on this forum somewhere.
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

I've disconnected the height corrector and moved it by hand,the pump engages but only the very smallest of movement is seen,a few millimeters the nothing!? The pump is still trying to pump it up
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Check you have the positioning correct - one member recently had the thing attached back to front .....

For the front:
Wheel radius measurement
C5 MK I Height A.PNG
Place tool [1] (or similar) over the wheel screw heads to determine the wheel centre.
Measure radius R1 with tool [2] (between the wheel centre and the ground).
Measuring the front height H1M
C5 MK I Height B.PNG
The front height H1M is measured between the ground and the subframe, at the rear of the suspension arm front fixing yokes.
Calculating the front height H1C
H1C = R1 - 140 mm .
R1 = Front wheel radius ( mm).
Compare:
The value measured H1M
The value calculated H1C
Adjust the front height if necessary.

This is the nechanical pre-adjustment - you will need a Lexia diagnostic tool to programme and fine tune the height correction. But this should help ensure you have at least got it where is should be:
C5 MK I Height Corrector.PNG
  • Loosen by one turn the screw ( 1) on the collar (2).
  • Retighten the screw by hand.
  • To decrease the height, turn the collar ( 2) towards the front of the vehicle.
  • To increase the height, turn the collar ( 2) towards the rear of the vehicle.
Repeat the operation until the calculated dimension H1C is obtained (± 10 mm).
Tighten the bolt (1) to 0,6 daN.m.
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

Hi do you know of anyone who would be able to run a diagnostic check . I'm about 10miles north of cardigan on the coast road ,thanks
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

The sensor is the right way round but still no lift
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I'm sending you a PM
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

I'm having problems sending messages
You can do it any time just let me know
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I've read all your messages - and responded :wink:
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Hi Rod - great to meet up with you earlier. Here's the wiring diagram we spoke about for the suspension circuit.

Just to confirm that the suspension code we are getting was P3551:

The front Height Corrector is the main fault - Body Height Sensor (Front) Short circuit to earth or open circuit and this was reporting an intermittent fault.

Now although we were also getting a Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Fault, we can ignore this as your C5 doesn't have the Electronic Stability Programme and has Hydractive 3 suspension, not the Hydractive 3+ variant. It is my understanding that in these cases where the steering wheel angle sensor is not present, the angle always reads - (minus) 128 °, but essentially it is not fitted. Quite why Lexia reports this I cannot say - but we are positive you do not have a steering wheel angle sensor.

So to recap, we saw that the hydraulic pump was working and the rear suspension was raising and falling as per command. We also observed the suspension switch was operating correctly and the associated dash display indicated the positions as correct. There are no suspension faulty warnings on the dash either.

We undertook some actuator tests on the front electrovalves and these were heard to operate and we did see from the live data that the front height was trying to increase - although without much success.

Looking at the live data, we could see that the front filtered height is well out of kilter at 71 and we did see this creep to 78 under the actuator tests.

Front setting height 129 Step
Rear setting height 122 Step
Front filtered height 71 Step
Rear filtered height 120 Step
Front reference height programmed 129 Step
Rear reference height programmed 122 Step
Initial front reference height 128 Step
Initial rear reference height 120 Step

So I think some testing of the front height corrector wiring plug and wiring is essential. Although by no means impossible to have the existing sensor and a replacement from a breaker both being faulty - it seems unlikely (enless the other C5 was in the breaker for a similar problem of course! :-D

Anyway here is the circuit diagram which should maintain scale at any resolution.

Components
7702 : front body height sensor
7740 : Suspension Electrohydraulic Block (BHI)
7739 : Central Electronic Block Motor

Wiring
7726 : Front body height sensor + power supply (Pin 1) going to (B2) on the Suspension ECU on the BHI
7724 : front body height sensor signal (Pin 2) going to (F4) on the Suspension ECU on the BHI
7727 : Front body height sensor - power supply (Pin 3) going to (E1) on the Suspension ECU on the BHI

Image

The only other thing I can think of is the hydraulic block - specifically the electrovalve for the front getting jammed intermittently - but as the fault is insisting there is a short or open circuit that is the place to start as far as I can see.
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Re: Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

Post by Farmcow1 »

Thank you Marc for your time yesterday, it is really appreciated, amazing to find someone with all the knowledge and is willing to use it to help others 👍. So I shall try the wiring today and let you know, fingers crossed. Regards Rod.
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