Norwegian activa won`t rise or fall..

lefgrter · Unread post by **lefgrter** » 28 Jan 2011, 08:22

I would try to put the lever the Hi position, then help the front of the car with a jack to lift, If the suspension responds this way and the car raise then remove the jack and wait to see if it falls. Switch of the engine and wait again overnight to see what happens. If you have a problem with suspension ram, probably you will find the front of car down in the morning.
If this not happen then try to help car with a jack to stay at normal position and try again, remove jack and switch off engine. If the suspension have a leak you should see the car falling making a hissing noise. The above were my observations from my car. As i understood the ram piston leaked at normal position and could not retain the height. At hi position was ok.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 28 Jan 2011, 13:14

I think goin back to basics here,

If the electrovalves are not leaking, and dont forget the front one's low pressure return is T'd into the regulators cut out operational return line (high flow) and you have checked all other low pressure returns and there is nothing returning then the reason the car will not rise is that a fluid path is blocked, the regulator has failed in a big way or the pump is dead.

I will read back when im not at work but i understand that you have changed the Pump, which rules that out, do you have a pressure warning light on while the car is idling?
Also what are the cycling times of the pressure regulator just so we know.

I understand you can hear the arc corrector hissing but to me it suggests that a large volume of fluid is passing through it rather than its failed itself but of course it does help to have an open mind no matter how implausable the idea.

sorry if it just seems ive just woken up but now ive fixed mine i have spair thinking space

D

HaraldG · Unread post by **HaraldG** » 28 Jan 2011, 18:31

Electrovalves are all checked. I have a little leak in the front one when active. Not the amount needed to depressurise the entire system, though.

I obviously have a lot better pressure/flow after changing the pump. I think the previous owner has tired it, driving around with a troubled hydraulics system.

I`m pretty sure the pressure regulator is fine.. Still wondering if air from its return pipe is normal..

I did however clean the rear height corrector today. I was going to operate front and rear independently.. The rear one wouldn`t move a millimeter. So I opened it up.. It was so full of sh.. I couldn`t even breath through it.. I bled the pipes connected to it too..
There was some water and some dark "slime" looking like the bio organisms you can find in "wet" diesel.

After the cleaning, the rear of the car reacted A LOT faster..

I realised the system is blocked somewhere. Inspired by the similar problems Lefgreter has had, I started removing the front left suspension sphere. I pressurised the system (activa corrector in hard left) and set the car in highest position. NOTHING!!

There was no fluid comming out of it at all!

...returning then the reason the car will not rise is that a fluid path is blocked...

Thats right Deanxm

I was so relieved finding a specific problem, that I desided to call it a day..

Looking forward to look for more blockages tomorrow..

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 28 Jan 2011, 19:32

Well that is one dirty system! so with a bit of luck the hissing was the corrector full of gunk. it always amazes me how much muck gets in the hydraulics of some of these cars, looks like a spot of hydrorincage/derv/whatever you poison is shall be going in for a while then, i know my activa had some rather muddy components, the correctors were all full of a wax type substance when i cleaned them out.

What are your regulator cycle times? im interested in comparing them with mine, i dont know if activa's usualy have a fast tick time of not.

D

HaraldG · Unread post by **HaraldG** » 29 Jan 2011, 17:35

The front height corrector was stuck on the anti roll bar rod (car on jacks).. Thats why I got no fluid to the front suspension yesterday

My tick rate on my old activa was 40-50 seconds. It raised fast and I never had to wait long before it was ready to go..

This activa doesn`t have a tick rate as the car sends all fluid in return through the system.. The tick rate is actually over 1,30 mins when the roll corrector is in the "hard left position" though.. But then the car is on jackstands..

I am still wondering if the source of my problems cn simply be adjusting the activa linkage. If it can cause these problems when the roll corrector is stuck in the wrong position. Draining so much, the car can`t lift the front..

I will get my son to watch the "light" tomorrow as I manually controll the roll corrector. To see if its acting this way because of a leakthrough in some position on one of the rams. Can it do that? Leak from high pressure, through the ram, in to the activa system pressure?

I`m ready to go "jumping to conclusions" again (

) if anyone could help me with these questions..

HaraldG · Unread post by **HaraldG** » 09 Feb 2011, 15:38

It was the front activa-ram

After changing I tried "pumping" it with plugged ends too (as described on citrojims homepage.. Great page, by the way! ). The ram doesn`t hold pressure at all.

Now I can continue changing brakes, ABS-sensores, airbag-connection, exhaust etc.. Looking forward to it now as the main problems are sorted!

Thanks again, for being patient with me

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Feb 2011, 19:37

Harald, that is EXCELLENT news

So pleased the problem has now been found...

Sadly, that ram is 100% pure scrap. It cannot be repaired

Use it as a door-stop!

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 09 Feb 2011, 20:00

it is good news but a new ram is going to be a hefty price, glad its all sorted anyway.

D

HaraldG · Unread post by **HaraldG** » 12 Feb 2011, 17:07

New brakes fitted ..

I have been cleaning the abs sensores and rings.
The Lexia is claiming the wheels are turning while the car is still standing still.. Why is that?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Feb 2011, 05:51

I've seem this before Harald, it normally means the sensors are just a little out of specification, there is dirt on the "Dragons Teeth" or the sensor tips or the gap between the "Dragon's teeth and the sensors is a little wide.

Is the ABS light off when driving?

HaraldG · Unread post by **HaraldG** » 09 Mar 2011, 17:55

Finaly, my french putain is all OK!
She passed the MOT test today with 0 faults.

The first test drive for two months was wednsday last week.. It was a really good drive indeed!!

She needs a new name though, now that she has become a "proper lady".. I think MISS Putain is better

Thanks!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Mar 2011, 18:00

That's fantastic news Harald

You must have heard me talking about you to Xac last evening

We were discussing Activa Rams and your name was mentioned...

We have an English expression "Talk of the devil and he'll be sure to show up!!!"

Not that you're a devil of course and I guess you have a similar expression in Norwegian to describe a person appearing just as you're talking about them...

HaraldG · Unread post by **HaraldG** » 09 Mar 2011, 18:59

Yes, we have the same expression to

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 09 Mar 2011, 19:08

Good news Harald, glad its behaving now, mine goes on the road this month too

D

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Mar 2011, 19:28

Good luck with yours Dean. Based on what you've done a fail is just about inconceivable