C5 2008 - After the fusebox, its now suspension

[chinkostu]

in a Waitrose, just drive Between a Mega cost Audi and BMW, then park up with it 2inches lower than them ....

I'm very guilty of this I always find a tarted up ashtray or suchlike that's been "slammed" and park the barge next to it :p

[Stickyfinger]

I posted a link to a "shop" on-line that does endless types of motor brushes ....I will look for it

I do think that there is a GOOD possibility that they can be fixed if it is not the control box....hey its just an electric motor on a pump....so should be possible to even service it as a preventative measure.

Hi

Not sure if this is relevent for your suspension failure. I've got a C5 2.0 hdi tourer 09 plate and january this year had the serious suspension fault message. The suspension motor wasnt running, so after much searching came across a blown 40 amp maxi fuse in the red fuse box next to the battery. This is a green flat midi fuse held in place with a couple of nylock nuts. I wasnt able to source a fuse locally so found a source on ebay and in the meantime drained the fluid reservoir and removed the motor assembly. Removing the end plate I found the brushes were in a poor state and riding over the end of the commutator so the unit would need replaced. I tried ebay etc but thinking the units out there would be worn to death probably i also tried looking for reconditioned units. The big problem would be the serial number and the bsi matching but I'd read that someone had swapped the control box on top of the assembly. I came across a specialist citroen dealer in holland and sent my vin number and was offered a replacement motor pump assembly minus the electronics box for I think it was £350 or thereabouts. Placed the order on the wednesday and it arrived on friday in Glasgow. Fitted it on the Saturday in about two hours and its been working fine since. The local dealers had quoted £1300.00 for the job.

[lexi]

What make is the motor.......Valeo?

[oldsmithy]

The specialist in Holland is Bart Ebben and they supplied the motor and pump assembly as a unit. I paid 445 euros delivered to the door. Comes with a three month guarantee. I worked on the basis the suspension had been working ok until the fuse blew and finding the knackered brushes etc decide to go with the assembly and avoid the bsi matching. Have to say the service was excellent and will use them again if required.
The problem with attempting a repair on the old unit was the brush holders which are brass tagged through a mount plate were coming away from the plate causing the brushes to ride over the end of the commutator so just replacing the brushes wasnt going to work. Needed a mount plate with holders etc. so a non starter tbh. Dont know who makes the motor but probably chinese like everything these days. The LDS reservoir takes the full 5 ltres and with care using the proper clip pliers the original pipe clips can be re used.

[Stickyfinger]

That sounds like the best option, esp with a guarantee even if limited to only 3 months.

[Fedupofc5]

Thanks oldsmith, i hope its the a blown fuse,i neither have the tools nor a place to work on the suspension.
Will check the fuse and update you guys.

[Stickyfinger]

I always wonder WHY the fuse has blown.....because that is normally the problem.....the fuse is only for safety isn't it ?

[oldsmithy]

This is how mine looked after a bit of cleaning and a picture of the green 40amp fuse


You can see how the brass brush holders have raised allowing the brushes to go over the end of the commutator. I suspected overheating possibly due to the hydraulic pump. Cant really be sure but it's certainly no longer serviceable

[Fedupofc5]

hey guys, located the maxi 40 amp fuse, it doesn't seem to have any visible burns(on the blade), how do i tell if its blown? also was a bit curious about the lds fluid in the reservoir so tried opening it, but as soon as i heard the air pressure i closed it.

Also the 40 amp maxi was the on fuse no 6 slot , any suggestions as to where i can source the fuse?

Thanks

[myglaren]

Don't be afeared of the hiss from the reservoir, it is normal.

I bought my Maxi-fuses from Halfords - no other option that day.
Most car parts stores will have them.
If you don't have a multimeter then a battery and bulb will work fine to test them.

[oldsmithy]

The best way to test the fuse is with a meter but if you don't have a meter then find a battery and a bulb and check the bulb works through the fuse. The green midi fuse doesn't show signs of failure but given that your motor doesn't run I think it's probably blown. The unfortunate thing is that the red fuse box is only accessible with the battery removed.

I was unable to find anyone in Glasgow who could supply 40 amp Midi fuses. I got mine from Ebay.

[Fedupofc5]

Thanks oldsmith and myglaren, I took the bus this morning to work, didn't want to risk damaging something.

I shall check with the fuse.

Oldsmith, i checked only the maxi fuses(the ones hidden user the normal fuses in the bonnet), did not know that there is another fuse box.

[oldsmithy]

The power for the suspension motor is via the 40 amp midi fuse in the red fusebox next to the battery. There is a brown relay beside the motor which has to operate to switch the power to the motor and that I think is fused at the maxi fuses. I'm pretty sure you'll find the green midi fuse has failed. I downloaded the online manuals for the c5 and took ages finding the circuit diagram and the fuses etc.
First C5 I've ever had trouble with suspension. Now on my fourth C5. I went for this one because it's 200kg heavier than the previous model in order to tow a caravan to achieve the 85% weight.

[Fedupofc5]

Guys,
How does the lds liquid look in terms of viscocity, is it oily or watery. Because a couple of weeks back wife reported that she spotted considerable amount of leak under the front left wheel, when i checked, it was still dripping but appeared watery rather than oily so i ignored it thinking it may possibly be some water collected somewhere. I checked it the next day and there wasn't any sticky stuff on the drive, hence wondering if it might be lds fluid?

Thanks,

[Stickyfinger]

LDS is thin and light brown oil.....does it feel slippy between your fingers ?

(the older LHM is GREEN and you should not use it)