Gold Sinker Mk1

[aerodynamica]

Unlisted means it can't be found using searches, and also will not be listed on your video list on your channel, but people can get to it if you provide a direct URL. I can see your video OK.

Yes I can no longer do anything with my old YouTube account 'gchoob' - can't upload videos or anything. the account still exists with all the old cx vids but since Google or whoever bought yt out things changed. But I have that channel now with that single video on it. The only reason I was avoiding setting it as public was that it isn't a great video!

[CitroJim]

Do you have a Lexia pod then Graeme? I have a copy of the software you could have; admittedly an old but functional version...

[Mandrake]

Bogus steering wheel sensor faults are commonly recorded in the Hydractive 2 ECU - all three Xantia's that I've owned report steering sensor faults from time to time but as far as I'm aware are working fine!

Perhaps the decision was made to simply disconnect the HA2 warning light on the dashboard to stop owners pestering the dealers about these bogus fault codes...It might have been cheaper than paying someone to rewrite the software in the ECU to be less moany!

[CitroJim]

Simon, I reckon you're spot-on in your deduction

[aerodynamica]

But why keep the light on the XM? Ah maybe brand new XM owners had more dosh to spend at the stealer.

Jim I'm not sure what you mean about the pod. I thought there was a way of using a laptop with lexia software and find a set off multi plugs and adapter to a link on the laptop. Not sure what link and not sure where such an adapter would come from :z

[CitroJim]

The pod is the interface between the PC/laptop and the diagnostic connector Graeme, it is essential as the signal levels on the socket are not compatible with a normal PC serial/parallel or USB port...

Also, the pod does the necessary switching of the signals depending on which ECU you’re reading...

The Lexia software expects to see the pod and sulks if it does not see it so there's no way around it unless you are very savvy with software...

[aerodynamica]

I'm not Jim, where do you source the pod from - is it an off-the-shelf thing?

[CitroJim]

ebay have some good offerings but the quality and functionality can be variable..

I believe James (Hellrazor) has recommended a decent one:

Easy Diagnostics https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... 15&t=56324

[aerodynamica]

Cheers Jim, tonight I had a quick look at the hydractive weirdness as the pedal sensor still isn't doing anything, again, all other sensors are working; steering, brake, body movement etc. After a struggle (Xantia dashboards are a nightmare!) I found the block connector for the pedal sensor and unplugged it. I connected the spare pedal sensor to it and again, it was not working. I checked the voltage between pins 1 and 3 on the plug and sure enough it shows 5v is being delivered to the sensor (well 4,75v ) so I think it's ok. The third connection at the plug is the actual signal to the ecu and this I have yet to check. I'll check it at the ECU plug to see the resistance and changes as an assistant moves the pedal. After that I'll be stumped. It might even be the ECU has a fault (?) the observation was that for a brief spell on the motorway the pedal sensor DID work for a bit but then stopped again.

[white exec]

Hi Graeme,

The B7 Hydractive Training Module (I'm sure you've got it) gives info for the 'accelerator pedal travel sensor':
Main potentiometer track: 4k7
Protective resistor (part of sensor, in series with wiper output): 2k05
and a couple of other check voltages too.

When I was looking at mine on the XM (same ECU and kit), I found that
- the schematic on that page seems to have an error:
terminal N1 on sensor is + supply from ECU, which is terminal N3, not N12
terminal N2 is correct (sensor output to N4 on ECU)
terminal N3 on sensor is Gnd, which goes to N12 on ECU.
But do check this on your car.

So long as there is a reasonable range of varying voltage getting to the ECU (may not be 0v and 5v, but something less) the system will function, as it takes the received voltages, and does the division/proportional maths from that.

Did you fit the dash LEDs - sorry, I can't remember.

[CitroJim]

Graeme, on the S2 Xantia at least, the light on the dash for the Hydractive became the airbaig light...

[aerodynamica]

Ah my airbag has a permanent fault - there isn't one I'm beginning to wonder if this fault with the pedal sensor started right after fitting the dashboard lamp! Though it is fed from the other multi connector.

Chris, that's interesting about the error on the diagram - thanks that could have set me way off..

I am fairly sure the fault isn't with the sensor itself just because the spare sensor didn't change anything. But I ran out of time so I'll have a look at the ecu end of things next. Hoping to get a shot of a lexia soon too so that might reveal something..

[aerodynamica]

Hi Graeme,

The B7 Hydractive Training Module (I'm sure you've got it) gives info for the 'accelerator pedal travel sensor':
Main potentiometer track: 4k7
Protective resistor (part of sensor, in series with wiper output): 2k05
and a couple of other check voltages too.

When I was looking at mine on the XM (same ECU and kit), I found that
- the schematic on that page seems to have an error:
terminal N1 on sensor is + supply from ECU, which is terminal N3, not N12
terminal N2 is correct (sensor output to N4 on ECU)
terminal N3 on sensor is Gnd, which goes to N12 on ECU.
But do check this on your car.

So long as there is a reasonable range of varying voltage getting to the ECU (may not be 0v and 5v, but something less) the system will function, as it takes the received voltages, and does the division/proportional maths from that.

Did you fit the dash LEDs - sorry, I can't remember.

Hi Chris I found that the three terminals did match up to the diagram just going by the resistances measured. It might be a xantia versus XM difference though I have not fitted the leds as yet - that's for the future because I have so many niggles to sort out.

I paid a visit to Richard today to hook up his lexia to auld Katy to maybe find out what's happening with this pedal sensor issue but unfortunately we couldn't get it to read any of the ecus (well on this old xantia there's only the hydractive and the abs) but no combination of off and on again before during or after connecting the lexia world make it work so it was disappointing but worth a try.
As if in sympathy the pedal sensor began workingagain on the short journey back but soon stopped again.

I spent the rest of the evening going through each of the wires of the black connector on the ecu to find out what each one is. I found the three for the pedal sensor and tested the resistance of each. The resistances were all within spec and the 5 v was found to be supplied at the ecu end of things.
I gave up for now but decided to carry out one of the modifications I'd talked about. I wanted to be able to switch the ecu off from the dashboard to give the car a sports mode ' plus' i.e. Constantly stiff like hydractive 1 without affecting the normal two settings of hydractive2. So I added a normally closed relay in line with the switched 12v to the ecu and arranged for it to be activated by a dashboard switch. I used the switch for isolating the rear windows in the interim but it works! Pressing the switch activates the relay that cuts the 12v to the ecu - all other things remain connected, sensors and the like - the power cuts as though the ignition is turned off.

It also makes the newly reinstated hydractive test lamp to light up permanently which is kind of ideal and again, just like hydractive 1.

The problem/ quirk with it though is that after you press the switch it takes 30 seconds to actually switch off because this is what it does normally after switching off ignition - it stays active fir 30 seconds. So that's something I hadn't thought about. If the switch is left pressed and the ignition turned off it starts in stiff mode and stays hard. Switching it back brings the soft/ auto back immediately.

Yet to find our if it will cause any issues but fir now it's looking like it'll work.
If so I'll have 3 settings on the hydractive 2 instead of two.

[white exec]

The suspension ECU is designed to run a built-in diagnostic sequence each time the IGN switch is turned on. I am guessing that it expects to see the car at rest, and maybe zero input from the various sensors. In the main, you might get away with all this, because most of the external checks done by the ECU are simply for continuity, presence and resistance of the sensors and EVs.

Still not sure why you would want an "always firm" setting, unless just for experimental purposes.

[CitroJim]

Chris, I've often felt the need for an ability to select hard mode when testing... It would be so useful but neither Lexia or ELIT will do this...

Only way I know how to get hard is to stop the engine and wait 30s for the ECU to switch as it goes to sleep...

Graeme, you may be best off getting diagnosis via an ELIT Machine... Never known mine to yet fail to read any of the older ECUs... If you are ever down this way call in... Many Clone Lexias seem a bit 'iffy' on early S1s... Mine is...