STOP light goes out straight away

Jshodgson · Post by **Jshodgson** » 22 May 2006, 13:12

MY hatchback needed about 10 seconds after starting before the STOP light would go out (I know this is too long) but my estate goes out almost immediately. If I do not move the car settles long after the light has gone out. Is this right?

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 22 May 2006, 14:21

Mine has always needed 13 seconds for the light to go out.
After the recent replacement of both rear spheres, it now takes 18 seconds.
If it goes out quickly, it’s often an indication that there’s not enough nitrogen to compress.
There may be lack of pressure in a sphere.
Maybe even that all the gas has escaped from a sphere.

Jshodgson · Post by **Jshodgson** » 22 May 2006, 15:19

is there a way of testing which it might be? With my old car I noticed when the fronts needed changing as the car bounced along but I haven't noticed anything in particular with my new one.

XantiaJon · Post by **XantiaJon** » 22 May 2006, 16:40

On my HDI, the light goes out straight away, I thought it wasn't working. But it lights up if you go from low to high. I used to have a R reg 1.9 SD, on that the light would stay on for about half a minute. The anti-sink on that didn't work, if it was fitted. As that was a company car I never paid a lot of attention & didn't even realise it may be shouldn't have sunk, thought it was like a BX!

Post by **Peter.N.** » 22 May 2006, 17:54

The light going out quickly usually indicates an efficient hydraulic system with a rapid pressure rise. If everything works OK I wouldn't worry about it. Having said that, you could just listen to how often the pump cuts in, if its less than about 20 seconds you probably need a new accumulator sphere.

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 23 May 2006, 11:31

Testing the spheres is the same as checking shock absorbers.

You need springiness at all 4 corners, but the test should be done with the engine, and hence the hydraulics running.
The accumulator can be tested by checking the car’s ability to return to normal height after being loaded.
Soon after turning off the engine, open the boot lid and sit on the edge with your feet on the ground.
The car should drop first, then rise again to normal height within about 30 seconds.
Mine rises back up only about half the drop.
That’s a sign that the accumulator is on the way out.
Having your feet on the ground allows for better ‘gauging’ of the rise, especially when the rise is getting small.