C5 Mk III suspension issues

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splinternet
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C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by splinternet »

I've got the Hydractive III+ suspension. I've noticed recently some odd things (I should point out I rarely use Sport mode, all the observations below are in Normal mode):

(1) from Normal height, I used to press the 'down' button to lower it, the front would go down first followed by the rear and a diagram would show up in the driver's console indication the car was in the Low position. This would take about 4-5 seconds. Then pressing 'raise' would take the car up to Normal, again about 4-5 seconds and an indication on the console that the car was at Normal height. Now, however, when in Normal and pressing the 'down' button, whilst the front drops, nothing seems to happen at the rear, and no message comes up in the console indicating the Low position. I've waited as much as a minute for this to happen. At this point, I press the 'raise' button and immediately a message comes up saying the car is in Normal position - but the front hasn't budged so is still in Low. To get back to "true" Normal, I have to press 'raise' again to take it (successfully) to the Mid-High position, then lower it back to Normal. The car then drives/rides as normal.

(2) Driving just after Easter in France on good A roads (130 kph), the car would sometimes ride as if on the bump stops, i.e. every bump or undulation in the road would be felt with a little bump and a small upwards reaction. When I stopped and checked the height, it was clear that it was indeed low at both front and rear. I would press 'raise' which would take it up the Mid-High (so the car thought it had been in the Normal position), then lower it to Normal, and all was well....until it happened again adter an arbitrary number of Km. As the roads were very smooth (why can't ours be the same?) I started to ignore it and eventually the car would raise itself off the bump stops and the ride would be normal again. Then it would go down again....then it would go up again. Since getting back to the UK, I haven't noticed this behaviour but I normally drive short distances at usually less than 70mph so I'm wondering if it's speed-related.

(3) I have sensed that both in Normal and (just for reference) Sport mode, the ride has become softer and more bouncy. In fact, driving now in Sport mode is about the same as Normal used to be.

(4) Driving over some of the local speed humps (the metal variety designed to slow you down to walking pace) the front mudflaps are now hitting these.

Taking all these things into consideration, it seems obvious to me that there's a problem. If anyone with more knowledge than me of the C5 Mk III Hydractive suspension (so that would be everyone, probably) recognises the symptoms and more importantly the probable cause, I'd be very keen to hear. Nos. (1), (3) and (4) started happening about two months ago and my usual Citroen dealer is in denial about it. When (2) started happening, I insisted he get Citroen in to look at it. I'm taking the car in on Tuesday, it would be useful if I could give then some useful information on what the problem(s) might be.
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

The first suggestion would be to get it connected to a Lexia system. This, all being well, will show any errors logged (but if the ECUs haven't noticed a problem, they won't have logged any). There are several FCF members with Lexia systems who are willing to help out;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 19&t=29178
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by Xantippa »

LDS level OK?
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Xantippa wrote:LDS level OK?
Now there is a idea, although I would have thought the suspension ECU would have thrown up a warning if the LDS was too low.
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Don't forget on the X7, to check the LDS level, you need to put it on the lowest setting (depressurised) and the level should be between the minimum and maximum mark.
A low LDS level would be my first thought, then the height correctors. Although these are electronic - the linkage can get a bit stiff with gunk - so worth a check.
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by old'uns »

i'd be waiting for the 'max 55mph' warning if too low but a lower than normal level does seem to make the ride harsher.
mine usually porpoises front/rear when fluid level dropping so i know a top up is needed.
top ups's in my case usually run to 3+ litres :roll: , bit difficult to scrape it off the drive and back in :)
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by Stickyfinger »

old'uns wrote:i'd be waiting for the 'max 55mph' warning if too low but a lower than normal level does seem to make the ride harsher.
mine usually porpoises front/rear when fluid level dropping so i know a top up is needed.
top ups's in my case usually run to 3+ litres :roll: , bit difficult to scrape it off the drive and back in :)
And your driving it with that level of leakage ?
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Don't want to alarm you but last time I had one of those max 55 mph warnings was just before I had the steering rack replaced! :shock:
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by old'uns »

Stickyfinger wrote:
And your driving it with that level of leakage ?
it's not every week i do it.......it was at least a month ago, may not need doing again until June :)

with an X7, harsher than usual ride is normally fluid loss......2 obvious suspects

1. front suspension struts, had 1 replaced, other seems OK at moment

2. steering rack, had re-furbed but may be culprit again?

judging by the number of Q's regarding leaking racks just lately this would be my first port of call, have a peek under the car on DS
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by splinternet »

Hell Razor5543 wrote:
Xantippa wrote:LDS level OK?
Now there is a idea, although I would have thought the suspension ECU would have thrown up a warning if the LDS was too low.
I've read in other forums/threads that warning messages on the Mk III C5 aren't even thrown up for mundane things like low windscreen washer fluid, so I'm not necessarily expecting any to signal suspension problems. Interestingly, another garage which was doing some other work on the car noticed the "suspension fluid chamber" had too much fluid, the estimate was about a litre too much. They took out about half a litre whilst they had the car, though it didn't seem to make much difference.
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by GiveMeABreak »

@ splinternet - was it a Citroën garage though? If not they may not of checked it correctly and left it too low...
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by splinternet »

Marc - yes it was.
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by Stickyfinger »

My X7 has NO warning on the screen washer bottle :)....god knows why they deleted that ?
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Mine does - odd...
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Re: C5 Mk III suspension issues

Post by Stickyfinger »

Umm.....maybe it has always been broken.....must look into that.
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