I have a problem with my Xantia Activa which has been touched on in past discussions but never answered. The front left of the car rises and falls during tickover, and more recently only when pressure is increased by increasing revs. Also, the STOP light is not going out after startup unless the engine is rev'd.
If I disconnect anti-roll linkages, the car drops on the front left and stays there (caused by the ram moving of its own accord even though the roll corrector value is held neutral), but then the STOP light immediately goes out after starting. Looks like because the hydraulic ram at the front is now completely extended it uses no more pressure and so the system pressurises quickly....
Citroen dearlership provided the usual solution - pay us XXX pounds and we might be able to tell you the problem...
Has anyone else had this sort of issue? The only thing I can think of is that the ram (or possible the back right one) is leaking internally allowing fluid past the piston inside and so causing the pressure imbalance that moves the piston.
All suggestions helpful.
Activa suspension - rising and falling on OSF
Moderator: RichardW
For anyone else with an Activa, the problem was with the front anti-roll ram. I found that if I took off the low pressure return pipe while the engine was running, there was relatively high pressure fluid coming out. These pipes are normally designed to catch the small amount of leakage in the component used for self-lubrication - high pressure suggests that something is worn inside.
I guess this might be a good tests for other components (rams/height regulators) if pressure is generally low (with good working pump/accumulator).
New ram fixed the problem - car once again soaking up bumps on the straight and cornering like its on rails (to quote from an old Julia Roberts film).
Stephan
Edited by - scheuerl on 08 Oct 2002 21:10:12
I guess this might be a good tests for other components (rams/height regulators) if pressure is generally low (with good working pump/accumulator).
New ram fixed the problem - car once again soaking up bumps on the straight and cornering like its on rails (to quote from an old Julia Roberts film).
Stephan
Edited by - scheuerl on 08 Oct 2002 21:10:12
-
stephen burch
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 20 Mar 2002, 03:02
- Location: United Kingdom
- My Cars:
I have just bought a 1997 xantia 2.0 turbo activa and the same thing seems to happen with it.The stop light seems to take an age to go out. Being new to xantias and the activa system I assumed it was due to the extra spheres. The activa system seems to work alright and the car has had regular servicing although it is on 146000 miles. The car does a little dance on start up and without moving for a while eg at traffic lights but I was told this was due to the computer "testing" the system. If it cannot find a fault it makes one to check if everything is working ok. If the problem is with the front ram, are they easy to replace? I would appreciate any information. Thanks.
After fitting the new ram, my Activa now takes about 10/15 seconds for the STOP light to go out (after overnight stop). If I stop the car for 5 minutes or less, the light goes out immediately.
As for the computer system 'testing' the system, this is c**p. I don't think there is any active testing the system makes. The system is virtually all hydraulics and mechanical valves. The computer is only involved in opening/closing a few electronic values when going around corners eg
Your problem is probably due to the front left or back right ram being worn. Try taking off the low pressure return pipe (careful not to break the rubber joining pipe). A small amount of fluid should come out. Lots means that the ram is probably needing replaced - this is what causes the internal loss of pressure and the STOP light to take a long time to go out. It's fairly straightward, just 2 bolts top and bottom and 2 high pressure pipes to remove.
Good luck.
Stephan
As for the computer system 'testing' the system, this is c**p. I don't think there is any active testing the system makes. The system is virtually all hydraulics and mechanical valves. The computer is only involved in opening/closing a few electronic values when going around corners eg
Your problem is probably due to the front left or back right ram being worn. Try taking off the low pressure return pipe (careful not to break the rubber joining pipe). A small amount of fluid should come out. Lots means that the ram is probably needing replaced - this is what causes the internal loss of pressure and the STOP light to take a long time to go out. It's fairly straightward, just 2 bolts top and bottom and 2 high pressure pipes to remove.
Good luck.
Stephan
[quote]
just got an activa and the car does this too but it also bounces when i go over bumps it gets worse in sport mode any ideas as i have not got a clue with the suspension on these cars oh and were is the ram located
This problem is the fault of the spheres requiring replacement, find a good citroen specialist and he will check them for you and if they need replacing the cost should not be to much. The rams are only the suspension legs.By the way if find such a specialist not the main dealer he will be able to plug in the diagnostic tester and that will test all of the ecu's all four of them.
R.A.FOSTER
just got an activa and the car does this too but it also bounces when i go over bumps it gets worse in sport mode any ideas as i have not got a clue with the suspension on these cars oh and were is the ram located
This problem is the fault of the spheres requiring replacement, find a good citroen specialist and he will check them for you and if they need replacing the cost should not be to much. The rams are only the suspension legs.By the way if find such a specialist not the main dealer he will be able to plug in the diagnostic tester and that will test all of the ecu's all four of them.
R.A.FOSTER