Suspension Faulty Max Speed 55 Mph

[sahir]

Hi 

 

I have just joined this forum seeking some answers for my C5 problem. I have recently bought a 2010 exclusive (only done 24K) and this morning, while driving, the service warning light came up with a message saying "Suspension faulty max speed 55 mph". I continued to drive but I have noticed that the car is higher than usual. On the way back home in the evening the suspension has gone down and the rear tyre sometimes touching the inner wheel arch. I have contacted the Citroen dealer but they have refused to give me any information about the possible fault before they put it on diagnostic. Anyway, I had to book it in with them but earliest date is Friday the 14th.

 

Could someone please give me an idea of what the fault is likely to be and how much roughly would it cost to repair. Is there something that I could check myself maybe to avoid a hefty bill, although I'm not that technical. 

 

Thanks for your help in advance

 

 

   

[Randombloke]

It's a bad idea to drive any hydraulic Citroen when it's down on the bump stops.

 

When you unlock the car or start the engine does the electric pump for the suspension hydraulics run? If not, the has pump croaked, the ECU that controls it is faulty or the pump fuse has blown, as a few examples of the problem.

 

Is there fluid in the suspension reservoir?

 

Any signs of suspension leaks? The fluid is LDS and should be orange, can you see any outside the reservoir? If there is no fluid in the reservoir or it has leaked, this would also give you grief.

[sahir]

Hi,

 

Thank you for coming back to me. 

 

There is a sound coming out from the pump area for few seconds but not the usual one and nothing happen. I can't raise or lower manually as well.  

 

There is no obvious sign of a leak anywhere and the reservoir is all black so unable to see the level. Any suggestion to how to check it please?

 

Thank you

[Parkesie]

The rear hight sensor has a small drop link on it and its comon for these to snap. Its located in the middle of the rear anti roll bar. If this bar has snapped or fallen off the back end will do all sorts of weird things. Its a couple of quid for a new one from citroen.

If its in good condition it might need lubricating and exercising.

 

The fluid level when the car is in low should be visible with the cap off.

 

Dont venture under the car without 1st putting axles stands under it as if you knock the sensor and it comes to life it can drop the car ontoits bump stops alarmingly quick.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Parkesie

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Is the car from a dealer with a warranty ? If so and it is more than just the height sensor link, then I would be in touch with the dealer since any repairs could prove expensive if new parts are needed. The link may be part no. 527381 and there may be 1 or 2 at the back, and 1 or 2 at the front but possibly also a different part no. depending on which engine you have. The links are about £3 each.

 

To check the suspension fluid level, Citroen's procedures say to connect the car to diagnostic equipment, remove the lds tank cap, use the equipment to depressurise the suspension (takes about 3 minutes) and then look at the fluid level in the filler neck filter - it should be between the top of the lowest vertical bars and the top of the next bars above. Once the car has lowered, if necessary top up with fresh lds fluid and refit the cap.

 

On the earlier models of C5 (to 2008), the procedures say to lower the suspension to its lowest level, switch off the engine, use diagnostic equipment to depressurise the suspension, remove the lds tank cap and then check the level. However, it seems to be usually done by just lowering the car, removing the cap (which will release a bit of air pressure) and checking the level. If this is all that is needed for the 2008 on model I do not know.

[Parkesie]

Another thing to check for a leak is the steering rack as it uses the same reservoir as the suspension. If its leaking the 1st you might know of it is that the suspension fault light comes on just to confuse the ***oops*** out of you. :)