2001 C5 Exclusive suspension emergency...

[pseud]

I know - emergency - they all say that. Sorry to cause alarm.

But, my son has his b'day present canoeing down a Welsh river tomorrow at 10 and we're stuck in Leeds with a flat suspension...

Symptoms:
* Suspension seems to have gone hard over the past 2 days - including a fast drive back from Wales on Tuesday.
* Suspension is now flat on it's haunches and doesn't rise at all.
* Using the selector buttons, the car's electronics report the machine cycling through the suspension levels as per normal, except the machine does nothing.
* The suspension fluid is low.
* Risking all the dire warnings about not opening the suspension system, I did what I would have done in my old Xantia: set the suspension to high position (of course the car didn't move); opened the reservoir cap and poured in some LHM - ha! got yah - no I didn't pour in LHM I poured in LDS fluid! I poured in about 1/2 Lt which was when the machine was on it's haunches, so obviously it would have taken a lot more if it really was on high.
* Sphere's have almost certainly never been replaced - I acquired the car in Jan and it's been through a few owners.

ANY ideas would be really appreciated - anybody interested is welcome to call with advice 0756 365 0923

Thanks,
Morgan.

[Citroenmad]

Can you hear the electric suspension pump working?

If not, have you checked the fuse fo the suspension pump?

[pseud]

No whirring sounds - might be on to something - where's the fuse, sorry to ask such a lame question, but reading manuals is a slow business.

Many thanks,
M.

[Citroenmad]

Im not sure where the fuse is, probably in the box inside the glovebox. It should be quite easy to find in your handbook. If you dont have it let me know and I'll look in mine.

[pseud]

The closest I've got in the handbook is F23 which is described with a Funcion of: Supply ECUs - (ABS - Engine - Suspension)
I would have thought any fuse that went pop on an ECU would throw up an arraw of error messages - but, that's the first one I'll check.

Thanks again,
M.

[Citroenmad]

A C5 onwer recently had the same problem and it was found to be the fuse for the suspension pump, I guess it must be on its own.

[myglaren]

IIRC it is one of the Maxi-fuses under the underbonnet fusebox.

[pseud]

Hmm, I've pulled every fuse listed in the Handbook and the only one blow was a 20A fuse - yes, under the bonnet, but - listed as Headlamp washer. There are no headlamp washers so I was feeling pretty pleased with my self, but no cigar.

Is a Maxi-fuse something that might not be listed. Is it something special? I've pulled everything fuse like thing I can spy with my little eye.

Certainly the pump's not working.

Many thanks for any further pointers - particularly myglaren if you can help with the "Maxi-fuse".

M.

[mirafioriman]

I'm guessing a 'maxi fuse' is one that is physically bigger than the standard sized fuses.

[pseud]

OK Folks

After a little help from my friends and a bit of No.8 fencing wire ingenuity, I can confirm:
Cinders will go to the Ball!!!

I can also confirm that a Maxi-fuse is a big bugger not listed in the Handbook. It is tucked away beneath the fuse box in the engine bay and the best description I found to it is given by our Aussie friend Clogzz here:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 63#p323949" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But wait there's more... At 11:30 on a Thursday evening, the best answer to a burnt out 40A Maxi-fuse is to wrap 4 winds of 10A fuse wire round the terminal posts and shove the bugger back where it came from!

5:30AM start tomorrow, but my son will get to experience the rapids of a Snowdonian river in a little boat.

Many thanks myglaren & Citroenmad,
Morgan.

[myglaren]

As a follow up you should research why the fuse blew.
The pump motor may be failing and it is as well to be prepared for this eventuality.

Citroen keep quiet about the maxi fuses as only dealers are supposed to fiddle with them.

[jgra1]

great that you got her running in time hope he enjoys the river.. I have been meaning to do that for some time..

water will be whiter after this weekend, he's gone on the right day

john

[Citroenmad]

Im pleased you got it sorted out and the car road going ready for your travels

[pseud]

Thanks for the follow ups folks.

Shame I haven't read them 'till now -- in particular myglaren...

Why did the fuse fail? And, why did it fail again on Thursday, then again on Saturday and again immediately it was replaced on Saturday... Aaarrh!

What's the deal with a failing pump motor? I dare say I can work that one out - is there anything else that might be the culprit?

Thank you all.
Morgan.

[Gibbo2286]

Almost certainly to be the ingress of moisture in the pump motor or copper corrosion in the internal wiring, the one I'm using had about a 6mm gap in the wire where the copper had turned into blue powder, I cut it out and soldered in a bit of cooker wire, it's been running ok now for about 18 months like that. I've also seen the motors with the innards completely destroyed with black gunge, a mixture of oil, carbon dust and water so until you strip it out........................