C5 X7 suspension waaaay too high!

[nightsmith]

Hi all.

My C5 has been off the road for just over a year due to illness and injury. I have finally started the recommissioning process but the suspension has me proper stumped.
The pump is working fine, but the car just won't settle at the correct ride height. It drops to the floor no problem and goes to the highest setting no problem, but when setting to 'normal' it is only just very slightly lower than max height.
I can drive the car like this without any warning or without it complaining that the suspension setting is wrong. I have no fault codes stored (none that I can see with an old generic reader anyway). Fluid level is OK and I have bled the system.
Surely both position sensors haven't died on me at the same time?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[GiveMeABreak]

If the car has been off road for a year, then yes, the sensors can go faulty. The fact that it is raising and lowering says the system itself is operating correctly, so it must be related to the data sent by one of the two height correctors. These are analogue sensors which are basically potentiometers. If they have corroded or have some damage at the position on the tracks that equates to the 'normal' suspension height that may be the cause and logical if you think about it - given that this is the position that the tracks would of been left at for the year it was static.

A generic basic code reader won't be able to read the suspension codes I suspect, so that is no indication of there not being a fault code.

So my gut feeling is one or more height correctors - a proper diagnostic tool like Diagbox will be able to provide more information and live data. BUT, do not get under the vehicle without it being independently supported - regardless of suspension issues or not, the system is live without the engine running and can easily drop to the ground without warning and crush you.

[nightsmith]

Thanks for the reply Marc.
I suppose what you say does make perfect sense - the car was stood for a long time in normal position, and that's the position it can't find both front and rear.
If I was to fit new sensors, would I have to have them coded to the car or would they be plug and play items?
And thanks for the advice re not going under the car. You see that advice all over this forum, and for very good reason. Rest assured I'll not be going under there without a full array of ramps, jacks, axle stands and whatever else I can find - I'm really paranoid about getting squished under there.
Thanks again.

[KennyW]

I agree with Marc better to get it check with Diagbox which will tell you if it 1 or both sensors or any other issues.

The sensors do NOT need coded but the front one is a pain to get to, the rear is easily accessed.

Kenny

[nightsmith]

Are the sensors likely to be serviceable? i.e. would it be possible to clean them up and get them working again, or are they some kind of sealed unit?

Cheers.

[GiveMeABreak]

They are not designed to be opened and repaired - they are designated non-serviceable. They don't need coding, but make sure you don't move the clamps on the rear anti roll bar or on the front, as these are precisely set for the suspension heights. You shouldn't need to take these clamps off - but if you do need to for any reason, mark the exact position of the clamp on the ARB so you can re-align it in the exact position or the suspension heights will be way off.

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder what would happen if the suspension was cycled from lowest to highest settings a couple of dozen times? Maybe the movement will clean the tarnish off any dirty contacts.

[Gibbo2286]

I opened my front height controller and cleaned it got it working ok but first off just check the connectors, they might just need a good clean.

I think I put photos of mine when I had it open somewhere on here.

Here you go:
https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/vie ... +corrector