Citroen C5 suspension stuck!

[Farmcow1]

Hi everyone, iam new here,so please bear with me
I just purchased a C5 MK1 on a 53plate with 20k on the clock and 7 services,. but now the fun starts, the rear suspension responds normally
To the high switch in the car, but the front would not respond the pump was going as this was happening. So I decided to replace the front height
sender, then the front raised from low to high and was able to remain at high noproblem,.then I dropped it to road hieght and it would pump up and lower down then pump up and down and up and on and on, so I lowerd it and switched the car off, left it for acouple of hours ,but when restarted I
Still have full rear suspension but can't budge the front from low setting , I'm at a loss what to do next! Thanks for reading

[GiveMeABreak]

When you replaced the front heigh corrector, how did you ensure the position of the corrector was maintained for when you fitted the replacement?

[Farmcow1]

Hi ,I used the same connecting rod which was originally attached

[GiveMeABreak]

I’m trying to ascertain whether the up and down movement you described is just ‘hunting’, which can happen when the vehicle is standing still, where it will Bob up and down.

Have you checked the LDS suspension fluid level? Check it with the car on the lowest suspension setting.

Check this post out with photos:

viewtopic.php?p=375970#p375970

If the levels are ok, then try you can try bleeding the system:

Start the engine
Put the suspension on the lowest setting
Wait a minute
The with engine running, very slowly turn the steering wheel from lock to lock 8-10 times SLOWLY
Switch off the engine and then check the LDS level again.

[Farmcow1]

I've checked the LDS level at low setting and was ok
I'll try the bleeding you have suggested, but I did try turning the steering but not 8-10 times ,I did about 4times
I'll try it tomorrow.

[Farmcow1]

I was wondering if a faulty suspension strut might cause the front fail ,as the passenger side is slightly damp with LDS.
But having said that the suspension held up ok on the high setting,so it won't be that or would it?!

[myglaren]

Be sure the wheels are pointing straight ahead as the early C5s have a tendency to 'dance' when the wheels are pointing to one side.

[GiveMeABreak]

I was wondering if a faulty suspension strut might cause the front fail ,as the passenger side is slightly damp with LDS.
But having said that the suspension held up ok on the high setting,so it won't be that or would it?!

Nothing to do with the strut.

It’s possible the height corrector is not sending the correct data (did you use a second hand one and how do you know it was working prior to fitting). If the height correction data is invalid is will stop height correction. If you have Lexia diagnostic tool, there will likely be a fault code or at least you will be able to see what is going on.

It can’t be the hydraulic block as it has been raising and lowering ok.

[Farmcow1]

Yes I used a second hand height corrector, don't know if it was working, but after fitting it did lift to highest level and remain there,but I dropped it to drive height and it started going up and down ,and then switched off and nothing since
I'll take it to the local garage next week but I'm not sure how much they know about the hydraulic systems

[Stickyfinger]

Does the suspension pump run when you open the door ?

[Farmcow1]

Yes I think I remember it running when the door opens
Whats wrong if it doesn't run when you open the door?

[GiveMeABreak]

Nothing, necessarily. When unlocking or opening a door the suspension ECU activates the pump in preparation for you driving off - so it checks the vehicle height and adjusts slightly if necessary to normal height. It doesn't need the engine running to do this as it is a hydro-electronic system. If the height is already at the correct level the pump doesn't engage. It is not supposed to be running constantly - only to maintain pressure as needed.

[Stickyfinger]

shows the pump works correctly............one thing ruled out.

[GiveMeABreak]

Absolutely

Going back to the strut - there is often a little 'weep' or misting of fluid that can be found - normally nothing to worry about - but if anything more than this i.e. dripping, then your strut has failed and probably needs replacing. But I can't see this being the issue without fluid leaking more significantly when the strut is under pressure - and even if it was leaking it should still raise somewhat until the fluid is low.

I think you need to focus on getting some fault codes so we can see where the issue is.

[Farmcow1]

Thanks for your responses, just to update you, got into the car this morning , started,then the airbag light was on,tried height setting for normal road and it raised (but seems very slow)it did start going up and down,so I thought I'd give it a small run down a back lane (move air bubbles),but it just went down again and wouldn't go up ( back ok).got back home v slowly switched off, 10 mins later tried again, this time no airbag light and no movement in front when pump is running, again back ok!!!!!!!!