C5 X7 late 2009...uncertainty about the suspension problem

[GiveMeABreak]

The front and rear electrovalves are in 'soft' mode when at rest and are not supplied. In firm mode, the electrovalves have to be supplied.

[white exec]

Is that really correct? - the opposite of H1 and H2, where Off=default=firm.
So a parked-up C5 with H3+ will remain in soft mode, because the EVs have powered down?

http://citroen.tramontana.co.hu/en/the- ... ical-guide, pp38-40

[GiveMeABreak]

It’s a different design to those systems and also different to the MKI & MK IIs Chris.

[white exec]

Appreciate that, which is why I looked at the tramontana piece.
Are you saying it's different to H3+ as well?
So a parked-up C5X7 will remain indefinitely in soft mode?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes - if you look at H2 on say the XMII, the electrovalves are supplied to provide 'soft' state. On this system the electrovalves stay supplied for 30 seconds after ignition is switched off and for 30 seconds after a door is opened (and limited to 10 minutes in the case of a door being opened).

[rmunns]

Well well well.

Thanks so much for this information. Together with my tests done just now (see below) I can go to the Citroen 'specialist' and to the MoT man and tell them this. I will try to get my €70 back from the original CT man, who failed the car - ''needs 4 corner spheres''. Recall, the second CT (MoT) man said the suspension was ok.

My tests. Mmmm now I think it should have failed but because the electrovalves are not working. At least, not properly.

First test, engine running, all doors closed including tailgate, car at normal height. Rear can be bounced, after a couple of successive pushes about 2", if stop pushing the oscillations die down after 2 or 3 decreasing movements. Same at front.

Stop engine, all doors shut. No clicking of valves.

Same in the bounce tests front and rear.


Repeated all above, in 'Sport' mode.

The rear of the car....same result. Front of car... stiffer both tries and I am pretty sure I heard a click from the front about 30s after engine switched off and door closed.


If I need new electrovalves (or maye they are not getting a signal?) is this gonna hurt my wallet?

[GiveMeABreak]

You can't replace the electrovalves. They are integral to the front and rear hydraulic blocks containing the accumulators. These usually need replacing if they are faulty.

As I said - there is no point guessing this - actuator tests can be done to determine the normal and sport activation - that will at least conform whether the electrovalves are operating correctly.

I'll have to see if I can dig up the test for these - which I head earlier and now cannot find! Leave it with me.

[GiveMeABreak]

Diagbox can confirm the status of the electrovalves (Firm / Soft status) as to whether they are being supplied or not - but of course it can't tell you if the valve itself is moving or not - it is possible that it could become stuck. So going for a 'rugged' country drive round some bends in normal mode, then putting the car into sports mode should very quickly tell you if it is reducing roll and operating.

There is a section on C6 owners regarding the suspension dropping out and bottoming. That was an electrovalve issue where the fluid was not being blocked from returning to the reservoir.

[xantia_v6]

A test which works on HA2 cars, and should I think work for HA3+...

Find a very quiet road which is straight and wide enough that you can safely weave between lanes. With the suspension in normal mode, drive at about 50 km/h and rock the steering wheel gently from left to right and back, in a gentle slalom motion, increasing the amplitude until you can feel the body of the car leaning a little each way as you move the wheel. Then while doing this, hit the switch for suspension sports mode, and you should immediately feel the body roll reduce as the hydractive valves kick in and tighten up the suspension.