Suspension fault from leaking strut?

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 01 Sep 2022, 20:59

Noticed a leak from one of the front struts while i was adjusting ride height with Diagbox. Didn't make much of it as I couldn't see anything under the car so assumed it was a small leak. Checked LDS fluid level and all ok. Next morning, I got a "suspension faulty" message while on the motorway. Height adjustment not working and I can't hear the pump (can hear a soft hum but not the usual louder noise of the pump spinning). Did not depressurise the system as I wanted to be able to drive the car to the garage if needed. Added 0.5l LDS, cleared the faults and drove around the block. No faults came up but height adjustment still not working.
If the pump had failed wouldn't it come up?

Is this part right?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233663297865

Hell Razor5543 · Unread post by **Hell Razor5543** » 01 Sep 2022, 21:09

I would locate and check the Maxi fuses. They may (please note MAY) be in a small fuse box under the engine bay fuse box. It probably is a 40A fuse. If this has blown it probably means the pump has got 'carbon sludge' (which is a mix of carbon dust (from the brushes) and LDS), which is conductive. I very recently had to deal with this myself. This thread may prove useful for you (it was for me);

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... hp?t=49327

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 01 Sep 2022, 22:13

Good idea but I think Diagbox would have picked this up?

Hell Razor5543 · Unread post by **Hell Razor5543** » 02 Sep 2022, 06:01

It didn't on my facelift C5. Which strut had the leak?

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 02 Sep 2022, 08:39

Not the fuse. It's the front right.

GiveMeABreak · Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 02 Sep 2022, 10:10

A leak in the strut won't come up as a fault.

This fault will directly relate to either the BHI (including the pump) or the height correctors. If you have been raising the car up and down or using Diagbox to pressurise / depressurise the system, this may of been the nail in the coffin for the pump. Normally the pump runs for very little time, and just maintains pressure as needed. Actions that require the pump to operate for extended periods can quickly overheat it and if there is carbon paste already there, can cause it to fail. Which fuses did you test?

See Elis's detailed, illustrated post here:

viewtopic.php?p=581404

With your recent rack problems too, the additional strain on the pump from the repressurising operations may have hastened a problem with the pump.

The leak from the strut is likely to be a separate coincidental issue, however if there is a leak and the pump is having to work more frequently to maintain pressure, that could also have contributed to the additional strain.

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 02 Sep 2022, 13:29

That's what I thought - if the pump was faulty it would come up with an error code.
Found 0.5l of LDS and just added it last night and this morning when I fired it up the car rose to normal height - I could hear the pump working but it was not making the usual louder higher pitch noise. Height adjustment doesn't work (tried only to raise). After about 15minutes of driving I got the same faulty suspension message but fortunately the suspension hasn't dropped (yet).
I don't think this can be related to any fuse (checked the one in compartment B - in the glove box). Is there another one?

Now I need to find LDS as a backup but can't seem to be able to get any for a few days (even the local Citroen dealer has to order it!)

GiveMeABreak · Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 02 Sep 2022, 14:01

There is the main fuse in the unit next to the right side of the battery (BFDB) shown below, that supplies the relay that in turn supplies the pump motor. But if that had blown you wouldn't be getting anything from the pump at all.

A pump motor fault won't necessarily bring up a fault code. There's no ECU in the pump motor, only within the BHI itself and as far as I can see only 1 possible fault relating to the Electropump assembly motor (C1125) which is open or short circuit.

It is quite possible that the motor is starting to get affected by the conductive carbon paste build up and that will soon lead to overheating and blowing the fuse.

If it is starting to get too hot, it may temporarily cut out, until it has cooled, so I think I would be following the Elis's guide and get that cleaned up.

If the strut is leaking, then it's a new strut I'm afraid, these are not repairable unlike the previous generation of C5. This is the first one to go usually.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 02 Sep 2022, 14:02

Halfords have a substitute LDS although it is green. Made by Comma.

GiveMeABreak · Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 02 Sep 2022, 14:08

I can't see why on earth they would colour that green just to confuse people / mechanics who could potentially throw in a load of old LHM if they think it's that instead of LDS! Totally irresponsible of Comma and no doubt another highly paid graduate that came up with that little common sense-lacking gem.

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 02 Sep 2022, 14:23

myglaren wrote: 02 Sep 2022, 14:02 Halfords have a substitute LDS although it is green. Made by Comma.

Do you have a link so I can check if they have any for collection?

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 02 Sep 2022, 14:27

GiveMeABreak wrote: 02 Sep 2022, 14:08 I can't see why on earth they would colour that green just to confuse people / mechanics who could potentially throw in a load of old LHM if they think it's that instead of LDS! Totally irresponsible of Comma and no doubt another highly paid graduate that came up with that little common sense-lacking gem.

I am sure it has been discussed previously but if they get mixed is it something that will have an immediate detrimental effect?

GiveMeABreak · Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 02 Sep 2022, 14:59

In simple terms LHM is a mineral-based oil (from the ground) and LDS is a purely synthetic, man-made oil.

LDS has different kinematic viscosity, density, flash and pour point values. LHM is not designed for the Power steering or Hydractive 3 system. Although it won't be the end of the world if it were accidentally used, it would need to be flushed and replaced with LDS before the performance and various seals become potentially affected.

osx · Unread post by **osx** » 02 Sep 2022, 15:23

Now with green LDS available I guess it is safer if I supply the LDS to the garage just to be safe!

Unread post by **myglaren** » 02 Sep 2022, 15:29

osx wrote: 02 Sep 2022, 14:23
myglaren wrote: 02 Sep 2022, 14:02 Halfords have a substitute LDS although it is green. Made by Comma.
Do you have a link so I can check if they have any for collection?

Looked on Halfodrs website and they list CHF but no indication if Bristol branches have it in stock, the 'locations' link only seems to cover garage services.

Someone mentioned that they have their own but couldn't see any mention of it. LDS brings Landsail tyres up

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Suspension fault from leaking strut?

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