Suspension/ignition Problem C5

[AJR]

I have a 2004, 2litre HDI estate with a problem that has so far baffled 3 mobile mechanics.

 

The suspension would not work either on opening doors or starting the engine, it is low and the interior height switch has no effect. The car started ,no problems, but would not turn off on the ignition key. It continued to run even with the key removed and could only be stopped by stalling.

 

Mechanic said ignition switch needed replacement but after duly fitting a new switch there was no change.

Second mechanic said it probably needed new ECU but was not sure.

A third said, without looking at the car that it was probably an earthing problem but did not want the job on a Citroen!

 

I started to search for an earth leak with a meter and removing fuses one by one. The 10amp fuse under the bonnet marked

''ECUs (ABS,controlled suspension)ESP/ASR'' when removed solved the earth leak and at the same time cured the ignition problem, with the ignition key now operating normally.

 

My problem? Where do I go from here, still no suspension and obviously the pump is not operating, but what is likely to cause the link between the suspension and ignition. The pump maxi fuse is OK.

 

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

The ignition and pump faults may not be related but you might have reset the bsi when removing the fuse. Some possible pump problems from the C5 Technical section Common Problems topic:

54. Suspension pump not running.

Before replacing the pump, check the relay first. See this topic by danshrekman76 http://www.citroen-o...re-relay-fault/

 

On the C5 (X7) 2008 on model, check the pump fuse in the battery fuse box http://www.citroen-o...ery-fuses-list/

 

In this topic by 3001pv, the pump fuse kept blowing. The pump motor end plate was removed and a black mess of grease and carbon brush dust was cleaned out and the pump now works normally http://www.citroen-o...ult-code-p1351/

 

Here cleaning the pump did not work but something was causing it to stick, post by jaysams80 http://www.citroen-o...m-fixedkind-of/

[MikeLane]

This might help:

 

https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40263

[AJR]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. From reading everything it appears that the suspension relay may be the problem since with the 10amp fuse in place the battery dies overnight and the ignition will not turn the engine off so I suspect the pump is still being allowed to draw current.

Now can someone tell me where to look for the relay please!