Off to look at a 2.1VSX estate in the morning (our lovely green estate died in France ), I know I've seen posts on this subject, but I can't find a quick guide on how to check if the Hydractive system is working as I've never owned one (apart from a donor wreck).
Could someone point me at a suitable thread ASAP please?
If I buy it, you'll soon hear about it!
How to check VSX suspension?
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How to check VSX suspension?
2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
Re: How to check VSX suspension?
The main thing to do is a bounce test to see if the hard/soft switching is working.
Let the engine idle and bounce the front and rear suspension as you would on any Xantia - should be nice and soft, softer than what you're used to if all the spheres are good.
Then turn the engine off, close all doors and wait at least 30 seconds (you should hear a distinct click when the electrovalves go off) and then try the bounce test again. Both ends should now be much stiffer - there should be a little bit of movement but it will be rather stiff.
If it passes that test its probably working ok. If there is no change and its always stiff then it could either be that the hydractive regulator spheres are punctured, or that the hard/soft switching is not working. (possibly electrovalve diodes)
After the car has sat for at least 30 seconds with the doors closed and engine off open a door and you should hear a distinct click coming from the front and rear of the car - that's the electrovalves switching back to soft. Failure to hear this click may indicate an electrical problem. There should be a continuous high pitched whine after the click as well but unless you have good hearing in a quiet area you may not hear it, but generally under the bonnet you should be able to hear the whine with the engine off and a door open.
Let the engine idle and bounce the front and rear suspension as you would on any Xantia - should be nice and soft, softer than what you're used to if all the spheres are good.
Then turn the engine off, close all doors and wait at least 30 seconds (you should hear a distinct click when the electrovalves go off) and then try the bounce test again. Both ends should now be much stiffer - there should be a little bit of movement but it will be rather stiff.
If it passes that test its probably working ok. If there is no change and its always stiff then it could either be that the hydractive regulator spheres are punctured, or that the hard/soft switching is not working. (possibly electrovalve diodes)
After the car has sat for at least 30 seconds with the doors closed and engine off open a door and you should hear a distinct click coming from the front and rear of the car - that's the electrovalves switching back to soft. Failure to hear this click may indicate an electrical problem. There should be a continuous high pitched whine after the click as well but unless you have good hearing in a quiet area you may not hear it, but generally under the bonnet you should be able to hear the whine with the engine off and a door open.
Simon
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Re: How to check VSX suspension?
If its any help buddy my old VSX estate had great suspension that, if you let it know what you were doing, was almost 'active' in its behaviour.. for example, a slight turn in before a full steering demand had the feeling of loading up the outside of the car and held it almost perfectly level through the bends.... I hope that makes sense? In other words when used properly there was very little body roll.
'rolls in a 1.9TD Syn-bus!'
- Old-Guy
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1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm) - x 17
Re: How to check VSX suspension?
Simon thanks so much for that concise explanation; exactly what I was looking for but couldn't find.
Guy
Guy
2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
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Re: How to check VSX suspension?
The long version is in this thread (ignore any activa specific stuff like rams and leaning, worn rods and rattling bushes...