ACTIVA NOT SITTING LEVEL

surfer · Post by **surfer** » 27 Feb 2003, 17:59

Hi,
I'm not at all familiar (yet) with the Xantia self levelling system in general, or the Activa anti-roll circuit in particular.
Just lately, when the car is stationary, with the engine off, the car is level front to rear, but leans slightly to one side.
Does the standard Xantia suspension self level in all directions, or does this particular problem relate to an issue with the Activa bits only?
Wholly unrelated, but the pad wear sensor warning light has now lit up, so at least some of the electrics work properly [;)]
However, although my alarm has now decided to work, albeit with ultrasonice disabled, the car is now unlocking itself overnight.
Do the PSA group only employ [:o)] to design their cars?
Thanks,
simon.

Post by **RichardW** » 27 Feb 2003, 18:07

Standard suspension only levels up and down on an individual axle. Only Activa has ability to level left to right. Drooping at one side suggests a problem with one of the activa rams, possibly wear in a bush at the top or bottom, or internal leakage higher on one side than the other? Activa is somewhat of a 'black art'!!
Unlocking of car will probably be related to one of the front door lock units, but if it happens overnight, it may well still be related to your alarm problems. Try locking it with the key so the alarm is not set, and see if it still does it.
Richard

alexx · Post by **alexx** » 01 Mar 2003, 16:55

If the is car constantly leaning to one side, it's probably that only roll-corrector's linkage needs attention / adjustment. If the car is swaying from side to side (with the engine running), that may suggest leakage in roll-bar hydraulic rams or in roll-corrector.

MarkS · Post by **MarkS** » 02 Mar 2003, 00:55

You have to remember that the Activa was well known for "playing about" when it first came out. I can remember road tests saying as much. It is not a perfect system.

surfer · Post by **surfer** » 03 Mar 2003, 17:47

Unfortinately, it is with the engine running.
It jiggles around left to right on start-up and when sitting at traffic lights etc.
I will look for any obvious external leaks, but I suspect this is a job for a Citroen fixing specialist.
Thanks for your help,
Simon.

tomsheppard · Post by **tomsheppard** » 03 Mar 2003, 18:29

I suppose that this is heresy but if the dratted thing don't work, how can one blank it off?

alexx · Post by **alexx** » 03 Mar 2003, 18:30

In that case, it may be internal leakage in roll-bar hydraulic ram(s). Disconnect the rubber return pipe(s) and check the amount of LHM coming out (with the engine running). I think the manufacturer's tolerance is about 3 ccm per minute, like for other hydraulic elements.

surfer · Post by **surfer** » 04 Mar 2003, 18:04

I'll try that, and see what happens.
Incidentally, after I got home last night, I jumped out of the car as soon as it was switched off, and watched what happened.
From the front, I saw the nose of the car drop down quite noticably, and lean to one side as it did it.
Does this imply more than just problems with the Activa bits, but the self level/height correction as a whole?
And am I right in saying that the anti-sink system employs only one sphere, at the back of the car?
Thanks for your help,
simon

alexx · Post by **alexx** » 04 Mar 2003, 18:33

If the nose drops quickly after you switch the engine off, than check the front struts also, by disconnecting their overflow pipes. Maybe one strut is leaking internally, causing height corrector to frequently top up the front suspension (with the engine on), and the car is jiggling left-right because anti-roll system is trying to keep it horizontal.
Height corrector can also be worn, leaking internally, but I think the symptoms would be different.
Of course, this is all a theory, since I'm still on my BX.
Anti-sink system consists of two A/S valves (front and rear) and one A/S sphere (on the rear).
Report the results.
Alex