Another suspension pump issue?

[Johnno]

Hi, I'm experiencing a possible failure of the pump following the warning "Suspension faulty, max speed 55mph". There are many threads on this topic, which have helped me begin investigation.

I've checked the Maxi fuse and it's fine. There is full voltage on the small control plug on the pump. There appears to be no voltage on the main plug, though with the fuse out there is voltage at the socket. I also checked for continuity on both the main cables but all I note is that there is very high resistance on the positive side. There is continuity on the negative side. (I'm somewhat concerned that doing this was a bad move as I'm now getting a parking brake / brake warning and though the parking brake works manually, it no longer applies automatically when the engine is switched off. ESP / ABS warning light up as well. May have fried something - Woe! - or perhaps just the disconnecting / reconnecting of the battery so often). The brake problem will have to wait.

The car is down at the front but ok at the rear. I've not yet tried to apply voltage directly to the pump as I don't have spade clips and I'm reluctant to break into the wires, though it may come to that as it's the only way to check if the pump is operating and if it is, it will mean I can at least get the car up to something approaching ride height.

The other thing is that the Maxi fuses on my car don't look like the pics I've seen here. The 40 amp pump fuse is on MF6. There is no MF5 or 7 and MF8 is 80 amps. All the fuses are intact. I know the history of the car since it was owned from new by a chum and it has never had work done on the electrics.

Before I start mucking about with the wires, is there anything else that could cause disruption to the power supply, such as the height corrector? Is the control plug on the pump off the same fuse?

Cheers,

[Gibbo2286]

As I said in a previous post, if you know which cables go to the pump you can make temporary by-pass connections by sticking sewing needles through the insulation, no need to disconnect or cut them.

[Hell Razor5543]

I would consider cleaning the blades of the engine bay fuses (as well as spraying some contact cleaner into the fuse sockets). Recently my C5 gave me a couple of suspension errors, and I found all of the fuse blades were heavily tarnished (although none had blown), which would have increased their electrical resistance. After cleaning them the suspension has been working properly without any errors.

[Johnno]

Hi Gibbo, thanks - I did read that post whilst researching the topic and did use a needle to check for voltage, but She Who Must Be Obeyed took exception! As it happens, I got the main connector off and found a couple of spade clips. I've just run two cables from the battery to the pump, engine on and the pump sprang into life. However, there was smoke from behind the connector block on the side. Now, I've seen that before, last time about 18 months ago but nothing since.

It may be that the pump needs a good clean inside rather than replacement. All the posts on it suggest they are susceptible to a build up of carbon and crud. Odd that the fuse hasn't blown, though. I will check them again, just to be sure. Are there any others that may be responsible?

[Johnno]

James, good idea - I'll do that whilst re-checking

[Hell Razor5543]

I did it during a BSi reset, when the battery was disconnected (just to make sure no ECUs got 'confused').

[Johnno]

I very much disconnect batteries these days - I also had a Mk 2 VTX Estate, on which I managed to 'confuse' the ECU. V expensive mistake.

[Johnno]

Well, I now know that the pump is a dead 'un. I used the direct-to-battery temporary workaround, which has allowed me to get the car to an approximate correct height, but yesterday the pump operated but didn't raise the car. After several attempts it produced more smoke and then gave a death rattle along with a hot electrical insulation smell. I had recently had a local garage check the fault codes, which were C1141, C1146, U1118, U2118 and U2005. Another user had exactly the same faults, so I followed the thread and I now know that there are yet more fuses behind the battery! I strongly suspect the 40 amp one has gone, which explains no voltage. I intend to get a second-hand pump to overhaul then swap over as the fact that my pump operated for a while but didn't produce any results suggests that it is perhaps more than just electrical. I've located a working pump for £140 but need to check that it will be suitable. Looks the same and as I understand it if I change the BSI then it should match to the car?

The part # on the item is 93671388000. Can anyone tell me if that would be ok for a 2.2 '59 X7?

Thanks.

[GiveMeABreak]

Are getting mixed up? Do you mean BHI instead of BSI?

The Pump is integrated into the BHI and these are generally sold as complete units.

If you need the part number for the BHI I'll need your VIN as they are specific to the vehicle.

The fact that it is smoking suggests that LDS has gotten inside the pump and has mixed with the brush dust and created a carbon-like paste. This then causes shorts and overheating in the motor.

[Johnno]

Hi Marc, yes, I did mean BHI. BSI is related to fault U1118. I'll send you a PM with the VIN.

[Johnno]

Hi Marc, sorry - thanks for the heads up about the PM / VIN thing.

[GiveMeABreak]

No problem, I have it from your PM now.

Ok so the OEM Original new Part was 5277K3, but no longer available, nor is the pre-configured BHI Part: 5277K4

Citroen do offer an exchange BHI, Part: 1680917880 (which needs configuring), priced at £962.05, for which there is a surcharge on top of this refundable with the old unit.

A new one was priced at £1434.36 when they were available.

Here's a teardown...

[Johnno]

Ok, so if the BHI is ok, but only the pump motor has failed, can one just change that? If so, I need to find a compatible part to overhaul. My pump carries part number 965406868000, different from the one available. Parting with a grand for a car worth about that hurts! The only saving grace is that as I inherited the car when it was just three years old means it has no sunk cost, but even so, I'd still like to seek alternatives. I don't do a high mileage so not quite ready to get a replacement. May have to take the existing pump off, I suppose, and try to repair.

For info, I did find this Dutch outfit that do new and used pumps: https://bartebben.com/catalogsearch/res ... 9654068680

As ever, thanks for your help.

[KennyW]

John,
IF you are interested, I have 2 pumps to go but they are for my 2.0 163 hp diesel.One is only good for parts and the other I think works.

Will not have access until Tuesday night to get numbers

Marc,
Would you be in a position check the part numbers so see if suitable for John's 2.2

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Kenny. Checked and not the same.

Your BHI has an original part of 5277N8 (unconfigured).
The Configured part was 5277N9
The exchange part was part: 1680917280

So on each count a different part unfortunately.

@Johnno, I appreciate your thoughts Johnno, but PSA do not sell the pumps parts separately so impossible to provide you with a part number. Given what's involved in separating them I can't see many sellers going to this length on the second hand market - they are more likely to want to sell the complete BHI, and for that you have the part numbers in my previous post.