Hydraulic Suspension Fault.

[dawn]

I have a c5 exclusive estate 2008. We have noticed an oily substance near front drivers side wheel and the rear suspension is now down and will not raise. We have topped up the fluid and still no joy. The warning is saying "problem with suspension do not exceed 55MPH" has any one got any advice on this. Thanks  

[Johndouglas]

"Oily substance" will be LDS - the special oil used in Citroens built after 2001.   The suspension reservoir and pump are situated near to the o/s front wheel.   The fact you've had to top up the level indicates a leak and as the tank should be under slight pressure, one reason for the fault is that the reservoir has developed a split.   Look closely at the tank to see if it's wet.   Incidentally, what did you use to top up?

[dawn]

Thanks for reply.  That oil you have mentioned is what we have put in but still will not work. So once we had topped it up would that have still stopped the suspension from rising ?  Will this need to go to Citroen to be sorted do you know ?? 

[dawn]

The electric motor for this is not working, do you know if there is a reset for this ? Thanks 

[paul.h]

You could check if the pump electrical connector is on properly and then check the fuses. The handbook will list which one could be at fault. DIY repairs are possible on the suspension system and these are detailed in the Haynes manual. Have you found the source of the leak yet ?

 

You need to support the car on axle stands if you go under the car since without, the suspension will drop very low when it is depressurised, plus if you catch one of the height adjusters it can also drop down.

[dawn]

Hi , we have checked all the fuses but it also says in the book there are fuses on the battery !!! we can not find these. There seems to be no power at all to suspension. We have not found where the leak was from as yet. Would the computer need resetting ?  

 

Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will keep you up to date with progress.  

[paul.h]

Just to confirm, your car is the 2004 to 2008 version of the C5 and not the new shape tourer.

The fuse you are looking for is maxi fuse 8, 40 amp. It will be located in the engine fusebox under the top layer of fuses.

[Johndouglas]

 We have not found where the leak was from as yet.

 

You should find the leak first.   It shouldn't be too difficult to see where it's coming from.   Maybe the LDS has got into the connector.

[dawn]

Its the new shape tourer its on 2008 plate but reg feb 2009.

[paul.h]

Previous advice was for the earlier C5.

 

For the tourer, there is a small fuse box which from a couple of photos, appears to be located behind the left headlight where it joins the wing, the back of the box is red and is between the battery and wing. The fuses look as if they may be fusible links and fuse F1 (may be at the bottom end) is a 40 amp fuse which according to the French RTA manual is listed as 'group electropompe - calculateur suspension electrohydraulic' - so I think this is the fuse you need to check. It also contains the small fuses F6-F9 listed in the handbook as on the battery. In the main engine fusebox, possibly under the top layer, there are also some maxi fuses - MF7, 20 amp is listed as 'suspension active a amortissement variable' so you may also have to check this. 

 

There is a previous topic where there was a fluid leak which resulted in failure of the pump fuse so checking the fuse is worth doing.

[paul.h]

Haynes do not do a manual for the new shape C5, if you are ok with French, there is the Review Technique Automobile one for the 1.6 and 2.0 hdi C5 II depuis 03/2008 CIP B737.5 from such as Amazon. There is also the Citroen manual on 3 dvds from such as ebay for about £5.

[dawn]

Thanks for info. Will check this out tomorrow and let you know.

[dawn]

Think we may have found a fuse gone in the fuses that you suggested checking near the wing & battery. Will let you know when we get one, hopefully tomorrow if this works . Thanks for the help. 

[dawn]

Replaced  the fuse you advised this morning as we had to order it and it is working. Car going up and down as before. Fingers crossed it stays that way. 

 

Thanks for all the help.

[Johndouglas]

Good to hear that you've got it moving.   But what about the leak?   How's that doing?

[Mk16]

Hello, I have the exact same issue as this, I have a 2009 citroen c5 and was just sitting on a hill then I got that message, the car stayed at full height until I finished my journey but the next time I got into to drive the car it was at its lowest setting and will not go up or down, have tried the fuses in the glove box and the one in the engine and they are Ok, only ones I can't get to is the maxi fuses, I can see them but just can't get at them, tried removing the battery to get at them but just cannot find a way to get them out, I'm really hoping that it is just a maxi fuse but I am fearing the worst.

[paul.h]

There is some info here on getting to the maxi fuses by jaysams80 http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/24368-c5-exclusive-wont-raise-past-normal-ride-height/page-1?do=findComment&comment=93072

[Mk16]

Thanks Paul, was able to get at the maxi fuses then but they were all OK, so handed it back to the dealer as it was under warranty and he said one of the wires going to the pump had eroded and needed replaced, still waiting to get the car back so will find out more then.