Rear of car sometimes seems hard

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 18 Jun 2009, 16:07

Only now and again, it seems when i go over a bump it bangs sometimes and other times just glides over the same bump.

Do you think it may be the rear spheres or something else..The car looks to be normal height..

What are these magic box things they sell on ebay that you wire into the loom,anyone ever tried one or are they rubbish.. I notice that posts do not include an ebay link on this forum just the item number so i shall do the same for this box....200345139910..I do not want to break any rules if there are any..

Whats your thoughts..?

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 18 Jun 2009, 17:26

Mines the same, I'm sure it's not quite right but I haven't got around to tracing any possible fault. When I get time I'm gonna pull the ECU apart. I fitted the diodes a while back but there still seems to be something not quite right.

Unless they're all like that. sir

Post by **myglaren** » 18 Jun 2009, 17:43

Xantic wrote:I notice that posts do not include an ebay link on this forum just the item number so i shall do the same for this box....200345139910..I do not want to break any rules if there are any..

There is no rule against posting a link but they can get very long and messy unless they are contracted thusly.

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 18 Jun 2009, 17:47

Depending on your speed, the car may switch to firm mode when going over speed bumps. Which is a shame - I'd prefer a "Comfort" switch which kept the H2 in soft mode to the Sport switch.

James

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Jun 2009, 17:50

If the diodes have gone, the magic box works a treat.

Before fitting one though, do a simple check of listening to the valves with the car stopped and switched off. Wait at least a minute for the car to settle in hard mode (the default when the ignition is off and all doors closed) and then open a door. You should hear both valves click open with a sharp click and they should hum then denoting the holding pulse train from the ECU is keeping themm operated. Shut the door, wait 30 seconds and then you should hear the valves click closed and the hum cease. If you don't hear that, either the diodes have gone or there is something else.

What is absolutly necessary is a Lexia diagnosis. The Hydractive ECU often has stored faults (often the steering sensor) and the presence of these faults causes the ECU to use default values from the sensor generating the (intermittent) fault. It is amazing how much difference just clearing the faults makes to the ride and handling.

If the fault remains, you may have low hydraulic system pressure that is not enough to operate the vales hydraulically or a valve with a mechanical fault although this is rare.

A healthy accumulator on a hydractive car is essential to ensure system pressure remains constantly high.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 18 Jun 2009, 18:57

Thanks for the replies..Is anyone near me with a Lexia then, I would rather pay another member on here than the stealers..

I will do the test as mentioned and report back.

Ok , I did the test and think i heard a click but as there seems to be a lot of noisy kids in the street tonight i will try it again when its more peacefull.

Russ

Kman · Post by **Kman** » 20 Jun 2009, 01:21

I had the same problem on mine, turned out to be a rear corner sphere (eventually both). As has been mentioned, the suspension goes into hard mode whenever the front is supressed(by a bump etc.) beyond a certain threshold, and stays in hard mode for a short while, enough however for the rear wheels to pass the same bump.

In my case, the center sphere provided some damping under normal driving conditions, so I didn't become aware of the bad state of the corner spheres, with the center sphere isolated however the rear was very hard and really unpleasant over speed bumps. Since in the beginning only one of the corner spheres where bad, the car was noticeably stiffer on one side.

Post by **xantia_v6** » 20 Jun 2009, 07:49

I thought that my car had intermittantly hard rear suspension, and the rear wa often slow to switch to soft mode (60 seconds) in the morning, but the valves all sounded OK.

The first check (Richard's Lexia) showed no suspension fault. I fitted new spheres, but it still did not feel quite right, 9 months later another check (Jim's Lexia) showed an intermittant rear electovalve. Sometimes when bouncing on the rear of the car with a door open, the suspension was electrically in soft mode (so the ECU was happy) but the suspension was semi-hard, as if the valve was only partlly open.

I added the extra diodes (bought from Maplins and soldered in), and the rear electrovalve now switches instantly. It has now been more than a month, and I have not noticed a single case of the rear being slow to go soft in the morning, or at any other time. So I am now a fan of fitting the extra diodes.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 20 Jun 2009, 09:36

Whats this fitting extra diodes and where..Tell me more..

Post by **xantia_v6** » 20 Jun 2009, 17:30

The magic box on ebay contains 3 diodes (the third is only used on an Activa), with some connecting wires and clip-connectors.

If you are handy with a soldering rion, you can make the same thing yourself, or solder the diodes directly into the harness near the Hydroactive ECU.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 20 Jun 2009, 18:32

xantia_v6 wrote:The magic box on ebay contains 3 diodes (the third is only used on an Activa), with some connecting wires and clip-connectors.

If you are handy with a soldering rion, you can make the same thing yourself, or solder the diodes directly into the harness near the Hydroactive ECU.

Is there a how to posted on the forum somewhere as i can't find anything

Post by **xantia_v6** » 20 Jun 2009, 19:55

with a kit or diy

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 20 Jun 2009, 22:57

xantia_v6 wrote:with a kit or diy

Thanks for the info..All i need now is what diodes to buy, I am a bit confused as to where they go but that could be the beer..

I have noticed that when i park on my drive which has a slight incline, then when i pull off it seems hard..If i am parked on a flat road before starting it levels itself and no hard ride at all.. It does take a while after leaving my drive to setlle and become a soft ride, even though i let it tick over for at least 2 mins before pulling away..

I need everythin working fine as we are off to Cornwall on holidays in 3 weeks so fingers crossed.

Post by **myglaren** » 21 Jun 2009, 07:21

Thanks for the info..All i need now is what diodes to buy, I am a bit confused as to where they go but that could be the beer..

1N4006

From eBay, Maplins or an alternative electronics supplier.

Post by **xantia_v6** » 21 Jun 2009, 07:22

Any 1 Amp diode of 50 Volt or greater should be OK.

1N4001, or 1N4002, 1N4003, ... or 1N4007 etc. are all suitable.

Maplin stores seem to stock exactly 2 of each voltage rating, so you might have to run through the part numbers if they have sold any recently.

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Rear of car sometimes seems hard

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