Pneumatic suspension troubles P0603, P1613

[nicolla]

Hello, it's me again with my C4P from 2007

So, at a random moment, I just got 'SUSPENSION FAULTY' on the screen. It happened the same day when I replaced winter with summer tyres, this may help.
Anyway, we tried checking everything, but the diagnostic tools show these 2 errors in the suspension department, P0603, P1613.
The first one is not characterized and it's always on, the second one refers to the coding of the system. We enter the correct settings in Lexia, turn the car off, turn it on, and there's the error again.

We ARE able to read all of the vehicle parameters (height, position, etc) - We ARE also able to control the suspension through an actuator test, everything works, but the error stays always.

I haven't found any possible solution.

Also, if one of you can check this for me, I'm trying to see if my car has a flexible DPF additive bag or if it's a hard reservoir.
My VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[Hell Razor5543]

You might want to clean the blades of the relevant fuse. I had a similar fault on my C5 and eventually I got to check the fuses. I found the blades were a dull grey, so I used an abrasive rubber to clean them to a nice shiny finish, and used a proper contact cleaner to clean the fuse holders. I did this as part of a BSi reset, cleaning all of the engine bay fuses when the battery was disconnected.

[nicolla]

You might want to clean the blades of the relevant fuse. I had a similar fault on my C5 and eventually I got to check the fuses. I found the blades were a dull grey, so I used an abrasive rubber to clean them to a nice shiny finish, and used a proper contact cleaner to clean the fuse holders. I did this as part of a BSi reset, cleaning all of the engine bay fuses when the battery was disconnected.

Mechanic suggested replacing the BSM as a starting point. We did that, but everything was the same afterward.
We checked the F10 fuse in the fusebox which is related to the suspension.
Now mechanic suggests replacing the BSI. I really don't want to replace the whole car part by part lol

Anyway, I found online that there's something called KAM (Keep Alive Memory) unit which loses the contact or something and then it keeps losing the memory.
Is there some kind of the process for restarting it? A lot of youtube videos like this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEdJoSEZIaw suggests connecting + and - on the battery to get rid of the error but honestly I'm scared to try this

[Hell Razor5543]

I cannot offer any further advice, as I have no knowledge of the C4. It was just that your problem seemed similar to the problem with my C5, hence my suggestion. However, if you wait a while somebody with knowledge of the C4GP will be able to help.

[nicolla]

I cannot offer any further advice, as I have no knowledge of the C4. It was just that your problem seemed similar to the problem with my C5, hence my suggestion. However, if you wait a while somebody with knowledge of the C4GP will be able to help.

Thank you very much anyway, I rarely had luck here on the forum, usually nobody answers my questions here, probably because I look like a new user
But I like reading other people's posts.

[Hell Razor5543]

This forum usually does help, as the reason it was created was to help people with problematic French cars. It may be that the reason you don't get many answers could be because few other members have experienced the problems you have, so cannot offer any suggestions.

I would suggest you consider getting yourself a decent Diagbox system. Then you can read the error codes and post them here. Generic readers won't work, as they find it difficult to understand French cars (but so do most people!). A good Diagbox kit (also known as a Lexia) will set you back around around 14,000 dinars. You will also need a reasonable PC to run it. I have a Toshiba NB250 netbook (with 2GB RAM) that does a decent job.

The advantage behind having a Diagbox is twofold. You will save yourself money (as you won't have to pay a garage for a diagnostics, and you would then have a better idea as to what is wrong and what parts to replace, rather than replacing and hoping you got the 'right' faulty part), and you can also then help friends/family with Citroens or Peugeots diagnose their vehicles.

[myglaren]

Most will only answer if they have any useful information to offer.
They are not ignoring you.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so I have just seen this post, but it seems I have all the info I need and should be able to provide some pointers.

I would avoid a mechanic that suggests replacing major equipment with out even addressing the specific fault codes first!

So the issue would seem that there is a problem with the rear pneumatic suspension computer. Specifically that it seems to be configured incorrectly or the configuration has not been carried out:

P0603: Computer : Not characterised
P1613: Configuration not carried out or incorrect : Not characterised

The specific information is not available as the Suspension ECU has a fault or can't return any further information.

So my question is has the garage or somebody else connected up some diagnostic tools without knowing what they were doing and changed any settings in the ECU?

The main air compressor has an integral control unit with electrical connectors at the rear. I would check ALL connections around this area, especially the connections at 'a' and 'b' below:

(5) Support/air compressor assembly.
(1) Air compressor supply pipe (10 mm diameter).
(2) Left-hand pneumatic spring supply pipe (4 mm diameter).
(4) Right-hand pneumatic spring supply pipe (4 mm diameter).
"a" Power connector.
"b" Control signals.

The suspension ECU (13) is located behind the front left seat, under a flap.

[nicolla]

So my question is has the garage or somebody else connected up some diagnostic tools without knowing what they were doing and changed any settings in the ECU?

Basically no, I am standing with them all the time.
This is what happens. We have access to both Lexia and Launch diagnostic tools.

Regarding the P1613. The car loses its settings. We go to manual configuration, insert car model, enter other settings (there are 3, 4 other settings in that menu), do the configuration and exit. P1613 goes away and P0603 is still there, so the car is losing its memory basically. Everything else stays, time/date etc.

After we turn the car off/on again it lost it has settings again and P1613 is there again


We havent touched anything around the compressor in the back. I'll go and visit them today to check the compressor contacts.

We ARE able to control the compressor through the diagnostic tool (actuator) and we can lift the car, I drive it like that.

My last solution is to convert it to the springs, but I'm curious to know what is happening at the moment

[nicolla]

We ARE also able to see all of the real time vehicle parameters on the suspension module, like height etc

[GiveMeABreak]

I noticed your vehicle is 2007. There are known issues with the suspension bags on these models. Do you have a slow leak - as from your last post it would seem that you have to operate the compressor with the diagnostic or the manual button in the boot to raise the car to drive it?

There are 2 possible issues I can think of:

1) Citroen are aware of the suspension bags and these were replaced on earlier models for a revised suspension bag (some people have recovered anything from 20% to 70% of the costs of these from Citroen). The new type were slightly improved, but they too also suffered. The issue is the heat and friction that wears the bags and causes leaks. This can lead to issue 2:
2) The compressor can remain active after the car engine is switched off. If there is a slow leak then the compressor will be working overtime and this can lead to compressor failure.

So there are a few other technical issues, but not for the fault codes you have supplied.

Whether Citroen will address this now I can't say given the age of the vehicle - probably not.

You may want to save loss and convert the system to metallic springs like others have done because of the ongoing issues.

[nicolla]

I noticed your vehicle is 2007. There are known issues with the suspension bags on these models. Do you have a slow leak - as from your last post it would seem that you have to operate the compressor with the diagnostic or the manual button in the boot to raise the car to drive it?

Manual button in the boot doesn't work for a number of years now, probably 2-3 years. We were able to operate it through the diagnostic tool (both Lexia and Launch diagnostic can do the actuator test).
However, the car was leveling itself most of the time since I bought it (years before Suspension Faulty appeared).

Also, I traveled from my city (Nis, Serbia) to Athens Greece 2 weeks ago with Suspension Faulty, 2000 kilometers in total, and the bags were up all the time.
We will check all the contacts on the compressor side like you mentioned in your first comment. I'm scared that the fault will remain there if I change it to coils because that non-characterised error is always there.

It's just frustrating because nobody here actually never had any significant experience, I basically have to organize them all by myself


Can I please ask you for a favor if you can access some Citroen databases? Can you check if my car has powerflex additive bag or it's a hard case? I got 'Particle filter additive level too low' and they told me I had a bag which need replacement (without even looking), but I'm not sure if 2007 models had a bag. VIN number is in my first comment

[GiveMeABreak]

You have a pouch system.

[nicolla]

You have a pouch system.

Appreciate it. I'm getting that sorted next Thursday. Thank you for your generous help, I've been through your comments on this forum long time before I even registered here. You're the boss.

However, we decided to go with airbag to springs conversion next Thursday too.
Basically, even though it's probably something (easy) repairable, the main reason for my decision was a lot of ongoing problems, one after another, with the suspension system, for the past 3 years. For the cost of 2 airbags I will remove the stress for the next xxx.xxx kilometers probably.

I will keep the parts in case I decide to go back to the 'dark side' again haha

Now I'll be looking for the workflow on how to keep the headlight leveling system and removing the permanent 'service' light with suspension faulty on the screen. If that's possible at all

[nicolla]

I did the conversion. To be honest, I don't feel any difference in ride comfort at all. Maybe it's more comfortable than the airbags.
Regarding the springs and lowering the car when people enter the back of the car, we haven't tested that yet, I'm not sure how low will the car go with weight.

Suspension faulty is still there, I'm not sure how to remove it but to keep headlight leveling feature (I'm not sure its possible)