Rear of car sometimes seems hard

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 21 Jun 2009, 20:32

Bought a couple of diodes today..Just have to make sure i fit them in the right place now..

Is there an easy way of testing the spheres, I am sure at least 1 on the back is flat'ish..

Today saw a mixture of nice and smooth ride and other times slightly harsh so i need to get this sorted as i like comfort..

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 21 Jun 2009, 21:00

Xantic wrote:Is there an easy way of testing the spheres, I am sure at least 1 on the back is flat'ish..

The only sure way is to remove them and use a pressure tester.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 21 Jun 2009, 21:35

DickieG wrote:
Xantic wrote:Is there an easy way of testing the spheres, I am sure at least 1 on the back is flat'ish..
The only sure way is to remove them and use a pressure tester.

I thought that might be the answer, Oh well, If i reove them i might as well fit new ones..Any pointers as to some good sellers from everyones experiences with the Xantia.. Are GSF ones a good buy ?. And are there different ones IE: Softer or normal or are they all the same..

This is all new to me but i guess i need the Hydractive spheres for a start.

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 21 Jun 2009, 21:49

IMO GSF spheres are just as good as the genuine Citroen ones and a whole lot cheaper. My V6 has all round GSF spheres, it rides beautifully.
I've heard of people talk of 'comfort' spheres before, but have no real idea where one might acquire them, nor what the difference might be.

Make sure you get the correct sphere for the correct location, i.e. don't try to use a corner sphere as an accumulator or vice versa.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 21 Jun 2009, 22:01

Thanks Sid the Squid for the info..

Might try to fit the diodes first and see what happens then if need to fit some new spheres..

Russ..

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 22 Jun 2009, 20:51

Having looked at the photo of the diodes fitted, am i right in saying connect 1 end of the diode to each of the 2 white wires then the other 2 ends to 1 green /yellow stripe wire. And fit the diode the correct way too.

My eyes are not what they used to be..

Thanks..

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 23 Jun 2009, 21:23

Xantic wrote:Having looked at the photo of the diodes fitted, am i right in saying connect 1 end of the diode to each of the 2 white wires then the other 2 ends to 1 green /yellow stripe wire. And fit the diode the correct way too.

My eyes are not what they used to be..
Thanks..

Just did some Citrobics and noticed when i put the car on full up then, put it to the normal position it does not want to come back down to normal..

The same can be said from the low position but, it will go fully up or down no problem.. I did put my foot on the brake and the back did raise to the normal position once..

Do you think fitting these diodes will correct it or is there something else i should be looking at..Also could someone confirm if i am right in the fitting of the diodes.

Thanks
Russ..

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 23 Jun 2009, 21:50

I would have thought that would be a problem with the rear height corrector. Even if your suspension was suck in hard mode from broken diodes it should still be able to go up and down normally.
If you sit on the edge of the boot with the engine running does the car sink (because of the extra weight) then after a couple of seconds rise up again (i.e. height correct)? if not it could he a height corrector problem.

Its reasonably common for rear height correctors to be come corroded and stick, or have the little white 'clippy thing' become broken or detached from the roll bar.
Check the condition of the corrector, its just behind the spare wheel, looks something like this

That image seems to be taken from lying directly underneath the height corrector
Note thats not my picture found via the magic of google.

Link the the picture, it has captions in the highlighted areas.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deiz92/429467953/

Hope this helps.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 23 Jun 2009, 23:28

I will try that test in the morning...Thanks..

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 24 Jun 2009, 10:59

Ok, Did the boot sitting test this morning, Had a few strange looks from passers by but, Yes, after a few seconds it corrected itself and started raising to normal height...

Still waiting for confirmation on fitting the diodes..

Post by **CitroJim** » 24 Jun 2009, 11:42

Xantic wrote:Having looked at the photo of the diodes fitted, am i right in saying connect 1 end of the diode to each of the 2 white wires then the other 2 ends to 1 green /yellow stripe wire. And fit the diode the correct way too.

My eyes are not what they used to be..
Thanks..

Yep, that's it! Simple as that. Observe the polarity of the diodes. The banded (Kathode) ends needs to go to the white wires. This is critical.

Xantic · Post by **Xantic** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:51

CitroJim wrote:
Xantic wrote:Having looked at the photo of the diodes fitted, am i right in saying connect 1 end of the diode to each of the 2 white wires then the other 2 ends to 1 green /yellow stripe wire. And fit the diode the correct way too.

My eyes are not what they used to be..
Thanks..
Yep, that's it! Simple as that. Observe the polarity of the diodes. The banded (Kathode) ends needs to go to the white wires. This is critical.

Cheers Jim..All i need now is time to do it..I am on call so can't start anything yet..

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 24 Jun 2009, 17:51

I thought that the corner spheres on a hydractive car were only used in hard mode and that the ctr. spheres governed the ride quality!!
Is it possible to 're-set' the suspension ECU by disconnecting the battery?

Post by **CitroJim** » 24 Jun 2009, 18:08

f00lzz wrote:I thought that the corner spheres on a hydractive car were only used in hard mode and that the ctr. spheres governed the ride quality!!
Is it possible to 're-set' the suspension ECU by disconnecting the battery?

No, they still have some influence.

The ability to reset the Hydractive ECU by powering it off is now a moot point with me.

I've just done the diode mod on my V6 as the replacement rear electrovalve I fitted was a tad iffy in the diode department. I pulled the Hydractive ECU fuse (F8) before starting work but did not disconnect the battery. When all was done and both valves were switching happily, I ran the Lexia over it. No Fault Found.

So maybe. Trouble is, I did not Lexia it before I started. When the inevitable steering angle fault appears I'll try again resetting it by pulling F8.

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 24 Jun 2009, 18:12

OK thanks Jim