Unlocking C5 X7

[hawkeye]

My C5 has managed to lock itself so completely that neither the plip nor the key work. I can probably get access to the engine area by removing the front undertray and attempting to release the bonnet, but how then can I wake the car up? Any suggestions gratefully received!

Peter

[Paul-R]

Surely the blade part of your key will be able to unlock the vehicle so that you can get inside?

[hawkeye]

I unlocked it this afternoon with the key blade - I've no idea why this didn't work yesterday.
Today's problem is persuading the suspension to raise after being lowered to top-up the LDS after a steering rack change. Pump fuse is OK but it shows no inclination to raise. Is this a case for Lexia, or is there another method? Again, any suggestions gratefully received.

Peter

[Stickyfinger]

BSI reset time......viewtopic.php?p=601679#p601679

[Paul-R]

When I replaced one of the front suspension struts on my C5 X7 it took quite a while to bleed the system. It required more than I thought reasonable of slow turning of the steering wheel from lock to lock to pump the air out and then for the suspension to rise.

I'm assuming that you can hear the suspension pump operating BTW. Is that the case?

[cit-rotti]

Yes, you can hear the pump – if the pump is running without the car lifting and there is sufficient LDS, then a positive pressure of 0.5 bar should be applied to the tank, as the pump is not self-priming.

If the pump is not running, the large Maxi fuse (40A) may be faulty because the pump motor needs cleaning.

And, of course, there are occasionally other reasons as well.

[hawkeye]

Current situation is that:

I've carried out 2 BSI resets with no effect on the suspension system.
The "caravan" Raise/Lower switch in the boot does not raise or lower, and the suspension height-setting buttons behind the gear selector in the centre console similarly have no effect, despite the "raise or "lower" indications being displayed.
The power steering works, which implies that the hydraulic pump is working, and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock for 5 minutes continually has done nothing but help the tyres dig holes in my driveway.
I've tried applying lung pressure to the fluid reservoir but this has had no effect, but I think that the pump is running because the power steering works (Who thought that a non-self-priming pump was a good idea?).
The car is still stuck on low.

Is there anything further that I can do, or should I book a session with the garage? Things were so much simpler with mechanical linkages!

Peter

[PaulC5]

The power steering does not use the suspension pump. I think there are 2 fuses for the suspension pump and one may be next to the left wing (when looking from in the car) with a red cover.

[hawkeye]

Thanks, Paul - I hadn't realised that there were 2 pumps. No wonder all my steering wheel twiddling had no effect! Further investigation (until rain stopped play) shows that the suspension pump 40 Amp maxi-fuse has blown. Looks like a pump strip next, then. Is there any virtue in giving the power steering pump a similar service, or are they not prone to the same issues as the suspension pump? Grateful for your collective advice.

Peter

[hawkeye]

I got a new maxifuse fuse from the local Cit dealer this morning, but I now have to de-pressurise the suspension hyd system (without a Lexia) before tackling pump removal. Is there a recognised way of doing this? I recall that on the C5II there was a depressurisation port in the engine bay, but I can't find anything similar on the X7. Any ideas, anyone?

[Peter.N.]

There is what looks like a grease nipple somewhere near the O/S front sphere, also another at the rear near the two inner rear spheres. Push a bit of plastic pipe on them and into a bottle.

Peter

[wurlycorner]

No need to rebuild your power steering pump at the same time - if that's working, then just leave it.
If you have just changed a strut and your pump fuse has blown and the suspension hadn't raised, then I very much doubt there's any pressure in the system anyway?