C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

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zeeshanzaki
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C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

Today car was bouncing and was not going over 40km. I checked the suspension and front suspension was at highest and rear one was on normal height. Tried lowering it but do not go lower. Checked the lds tank and there was smoke coming out from under the tank. I can hear the pump noise even after switching off the ignition but nothing happens, so diconnected the battery to prevent further damage. Car experienced similar behaviour of bouncing but fixed after parking. But this time does not go to normal height can smell something burning under lds tank. Could this be front height corrector?
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I would of suggested the height corrector initially, however after reading further it looks like you have a problem with the pump motor. Burning or smoke usually indicates LDS has leaked into the motor from the tank. When this happens, the oil can mix with the brush material and you will end up with oily metal that will cause a short and overheating. Normally if left, it will blow the pump motor fuse. So that has to be your first area for investigation.

However coupled with the front height issue it may be possible that the hydraulic block is not operating, specifically the hydraulic ports (electro valves) that open and close the supply of fluid to and from the suspension circuit. This may be jammed in the closed position, so that fluid cannot flow back from the front circuit.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

Hi Marc
Thank you for the quick response.
I left the car on the side of the road and will further troubleshooting tommorrow. First I want to drive home to it will easier to diagnose. Is it safe to drive 5km distace with fault?
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by myglaren »

There is a collection of threads dealing with the suspension including repairs to the motor here.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by GiveMeABreak »

zeeshanzaki wrote: 22 Nov 2019, 12:45 Hi Marc
Thank you for the quick response.
I left the car on the side of the road and will further troubleshooting tomorrow. First I want to drive home to it will easier to diagnose. Is it safe to drive 5km distance with fault?
If the vehicle is on the highest setting at the front - you risk damage if driving over 6 MPH - plus if the pump motor is continually operating as you've indicated, that may blow the fuse / cause overheating - it would be better to get it towed back preferably with all wheels off the ground, but failing that, with the front wheels off the ground, just leaving the rear wheels on the ground. There should be enough pressure in the rear circuit to keep the rear suspended if you are careful.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

I checked the this morning and it looks like pump is working fine. At normal height front suspension is at highest. When I set the height to lowest, front suspension comes to normal height and rear to the lowest. So it goes up and down but both are not on same height. I tried to drive the car to lowest setting but cant go higher than 10kmh. As soon as it goes higher front suspension go o the highest setting and start bouncing. Also when adjusting height some time response is so slow that it does not make any changes. I Did BSI reset but didn’t work.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

I driven the car home without any issue and when lower the raise the suspension it worked first time. Now it stuck at lowest. Can't hear any pump noise. So looks like pump is malfunctioning.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

I went through link posted by Steve and one of thread mentioned about break light issue. My front brakes makes very weird noise when braking and need rotors and brake pads replacement soon. Is the pump related brakes system anyway. Just a thought..

Checked maxi fuses under fuse box and cant see any of them blown.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No - brakes have nothing to do with suspension - they are on a separate circuit.

So this is an issue with the front height corrector. It has probably rusted or got contaminated (unless it has been removed or adjusted deliberately) and is sending the wrong height data to the suspension ECU. As a result the suspension ECU thinks the front is lower than in reality and the pump then tries to compensate to adjust. So when you have it on normal it is constantly trying to operate to raise the vehicle. So I suspect any hydractive adjustment (made according to road conditions) where it would normally raise the car slightly - will make the pump keep operating as the height information is erratic and it thinks it is lower than it is.

So you need to get it checked (but don't get underneath the car without supporting it independently - it can easily drop and crush you). Give the dog and bone joints a spray with some silicone oil spray.

If that doesn't improve it, then I suspect that the internal tracks are shot / worn and you need a replacement unit.

Note! If replacing it, make sure you follow the guidance on removing and refitting it (including disconnection of battery beforehand) - to stop the pump engaging whilst you are working on the system.

BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure

C5 height sensor A.PNG
Disconnect the connector (1).
Disconnect the rod (2), as "a".
Peg the height sensor at " b" using a 4 mm diameter rod.

Remove:
  • The (3) bolt
  • The height sensor (4)
Refitting
Refit the height sensor ( 4).
Note: The positioning of the height sensor on the subframe is done with the aid of the pin " c".
Refit bolt (3), Tighten to 0,4 ± 0,1 daN.m.

Caution: Remove the setting rod from the height sensor!

Connect the connecting rod ( 2), as "a".
Reconnect the connector (1).
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

Hi Marc
Thank you for posting detail information.
I have to find hydrolik pump as its completely dead. Car is at lowest settings. When I raise suspension and lower it, i can see the change in the hydrolik level but there is no movement.

Once it is fixed then i will troubleshoot front height corrector.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

Hi Marc
Before doing any wsnt to check the maxi fuse not blown. Previously I checked wrong fuse. Correct one 8. I have also attached the photo. Just wondering how do i remove maxi fuse. Do i need any special tools.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Maxi Fuse 8 is the one for the Hydraulic Pump Motor. - It should be a 40 Amp - but test it with your multimeter - don't rely on a visual alone.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by zeeshanzaki »

I tried to open by hand but didn't come out. Should i just pull it using plier or do i need special tool. Just don't want to break it.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by GiveMeABreak »

zeeshanzaki wrote: 23 Nov 2019, 11:24 Hi Marc
Before doing any wsnt to check the maxi fuse not blown. Previously I checked wrong fuse. Correct one 8. I have also attached the photo. Just wondering how do i remove maxi fuse. Do i need any special tools.
Image
No - they can be quite firm as they will have been in there since the car rolled out the factory. Just use some pliers gently to remove it.
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Re: C5 front suspension stuck at highest setting

Post by GiveMeABreak »

If you don't have a spare to replace it with to hand, you might be able to use some 40A fuse wire as a temporary measure - but remember if it has blown, the same thing may happen as soon as the pump motor starts to overheat. These are not designed to operate constantly - only occasionally as needed, as the electrovalves control the flow back and forth. If you can get your pump working, then don't let it operate more than necessary - and focus on the front height corrector.
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