Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

[MattBLancs]

LED H21W equivalents bought:

Buy it now, done

I did get a touch more involved improving my previous C4 rubbish reversing light output:

Take 1 eBay LED "motorbike headlamp" (about £6!

"open" standard light housing

Fibreglass back together again to keep weather out

Fair to say that was a good improvement!

[myglaren]

I have put LEDs in the reversing light for my Civic. Much better!
Except they aren't due to their location and the rubbish view through the rear screen.
Oh well
Watched a video yesterday where someone replaced the headlight bulbs with LEDs. Much brighter and I am tempted to do the same as I find mine disappointing although my son reckons that they are better than the C5 lights.
I don't want to be one of those who dazzle oncoming cars though.

[MattBLancs]

Watched a video yesterday where someone replaced the headlight bulbs with LEDs. Much brighter and I am tempted to do the same as I find mine disappointing although my son reckons that they are better than the C5 lights.
I don't want to be one of those who dazzle oncoming cars though.

Conflicting advice about LED light conversions, official line I believe is "if not type approved then not road legal"
Don't think any of the retrofit LED options are type approved (which I think is by car, so not something that could be universal, easily) so if we follow the rules we're all stuck with standard bulbs.

I'd have LED throughout given the choice!

You are correct about dazzle, there's argument made that an LED array (as it's not a single diode) isn't in the exact spot that a normal bulb's filament would sit, as such potential the light it gives out could hit wrong area of the reflector, hence reflected light thrown slightly different direction= dazzling.

I'm not 100% convinced there'd be that much scatter, that much difference, but can't deny the basis of the theory.

[MattBLancs]

Additions to the C5 job list:

• clean/silicone spray the lazy driver's side seat belt

Yesterday afternoon: seat belt cleaned with fairly strong solution of warm water, percil clothes washing liquid (and an old sock rag) held out for a bit, then allowed to retract in, encouraged the last bit.

Remarkable improvement this morning! Amazed the difference. No silicone spray as yet, will see how it settles over the next week. Did all five belts whilst I had the gear ready.
Not masses of muck in the rag, so quite surprised it was better this morning

[CitroJim]

That's a good tip Matt, I note one of my Saxo ones is getting a bit lazy now...

[MattBLancs]

That's a good tip Matt, I note one of my Saxo ones is getting a bit lazy now...

I can't take the credit really Jim, like most things, I got the answer off 'ere!

viewtopic.php?t=41876

[CitroJim]

That's a good tip Matt, I note one of my Saxo ones is getting a bit lazy now...

I can't take the credit really Jim, like most things, I got the answer off 'ere!

viewtopic.php?t=41876

[MattBLancs]

Another thing niggling me, but some positive signs from a quick squint on eBay:

At night, idle speed, stationary, turn the steering wheel = there's a noticeable momentary drop in headlight brightness.

Suggest alternator voltage regulator isn't keeping up when the electric power steering pump demands some power.

A quick look under the bonnet, alternator is marked,

Valeo 99615..... Something I couldn't see the end of.
2543457A
G18S017
408021238

Google suggests that's an 180 Amp output alternator.

EBay, numerous sellers all seem sure that 1.6, 2.0, 2.2 HDi alternators are interchangeable.

So might try my luck on £25-£40 worth of second hand 180 Amp alternator.

Likely do a bit of multimeter testing first, see if can get any figures to support my volt drop theories.

X7 is such an electricity hungry thing, don't think a less than perfect alternator is helping matters.

[myglaren]

It is a common thing with C5s. Both mine did it.
While I could never confirm it, it has been attributed to the suspension pump operating and sucking up more electrons than it's fair share.

[CitroJim]

Is the steering power assistance electrical?

[MattBLancs]

Is the steering power assistance electrical?

Yes, electric pump for both suspension and power steering duties (not fully "electric" power steering e.g. like a Corsa where it's a motor built into the steering column, it's electric hydraulic pump then fed to conventional hydraulic rack)

Suspension pump is directly under the LDS tank (hence why it has habit of ingesting any spilt fluid from there!) Power steering pump is lower down again, accessed from the wheel arch sort of behind the fog lamp position.

If I might be attempting at fixing something they all do regardless, I may leave it be, but equally if a twenty quid unit would/could improve things...

[CitroJim]

If I might be attempting at fixing something they all do regardless, I may leave it be, but equally if a twenty quid unit would/could improve things...

Yes, it's most likely just the additional current draw as the pump kicks in causing a slight idle drop as the alternator works hard to supply the increased demand.... My electrically assisted Saxo power steering does the same and also when I put the headlights on immediately after a start when demand on the alternator is very high...

Those electric PAS pumps take a remarkably high current - as does the C5 suspension pump. The one on my Saxo looks almost identical to the Xantia cooling fan motor... You're looking at 30A on full chat...

[MattBLancs]

423 miles covered, 43.27 litres replenished.
43.27 l = 9.53 gallons.
44.38 MPG

That's the good news out the way....


Heavy foot to the floor acceleration = definite, noticeable flair in revs = clutch slip = bugger!

(Bonus points for this being the clutch I was in spitting distance of whilst doing the slave cylinder. I left it alone as service history said only about 40,000 miles covered)

[myglaren]

Mine, a Mk 1, had clutch slip intermittently for over two years. Mostly in cold weather. Was still working OK when I scrapped it.

[MattBLancs]

Mine, a Mk 1, had clutch slip intermittently for over two years. Mostly in cold weather. Was still working OK when I scrapped it.

Interesting about cold weather! Hoping it'll soldier on for me until the summer. I'll get a few bits ordered and tackle suspension clonk and clutch together perhaps.