Suspension Raising - Different Problem

[paul.h]

Sifaan, looks as if you have another problem with your car when the engine is running (did you get the overheating/leak one sorted) and maybe the WD40 lubrication of the height sensors may fix it. Does the height adjust up/down with the centre switch when the engine is running ?

 

On our C5 2004 2.2 hdi vtr,

- unlock the car with remote (doors not opened yet), the pump runs for a short while and car level rises slightly - but if it has been a hot day I have noticed the car height higher than normal before using the remote and in this case when used, the car will sink down slightly. However, if the car battery is not sufficiently charged, on using the remote the pump does not run and the car level does not rise.

 

- open a door and get in the car, the level may sink due to the load but will adjust only once the doors are closed (engine still not running and key not in ignition) - applies also when attaching a trailer to the towbar so usually do this with the doors closed. When the engine is started, the pump is only heard to run occassionally when moving.

 

- lock the car with the remote and car sinks down slightly.

 

- if I get in/out with the engine running the pump is heard to run but I have not noticed the height change whilst I have done this. I have not let a passenger get in/out whilst I have been outside the car with the engine running to see any height change.

 

- with the engine running, the height can be altered up/down using the switch near the handbrake and the pump runs only when raising the car.

[sifaan]

Sifaan, looks as if you have another problem with your car when the engine is running (did you get the overheating/leak one sorted) and maybe the WD40 lubrication of the height sensors may fix it. Does the height adjust up/down with the centre switch when the engine is running ?

Yes, the overheating was fixed (replaced the radiator). The switches do raise/lower the car (interestingly, it doesn't work on N. I wonder if that's how it's intended to be, but if so it's a bit strange that the display shows that it was raised/lowered (just as it would if it was actually raised/lowered)

 

WD40ing the sensor seems to be the thing to try but haven't got around to it yet (do I need to get the car on a ramp? or is it enough to raise the car?)

 

On our C5 2004 2.2 hdi vtr,

- unlock the car with remote (doors not opened yet), the pump runs for a short while and car level rises slightly - but if it has been a hot day I have noticed the car height higher than normal before using the remote and in this case when used, the car will sink down slightly. However, if the car battery is not sufficiently charged, on using the remote the pump does not run and the car level does not rise.

I've never noticed anything happening on unlocking (except if I get in the car) but that maybe because of a higher ambient temperature (25-35) here at all times of the year :)

 

- open a door and get in the car, the level may sink due to the load but will adjust only once the doors are closed (engine still not running and key not in ignition) - applies also when attaching a trailer to the towbar so usually do this with the doors closed. When the engine is started, the pump is only heard to run occassionally when moving.

tried it just now and it doesn't wait for the door to close to adjust (opened the door and stood on the sill, and up she came; stepped off, door still open, and it went down)... possibly that was a change in the facelift then?

[sifaan]

Liberally WD40'd the height sensor and now the self-levelling appears to be functioning well, both when the engine is running and when it was not. (i.e. same experience as OP). Still don't understand how the sensor was "stuck" only when the engine was running though.

 

I've never noticed anything happening on unlocking (except if I get in the car) but that maybe because of a higher ambient temperature (25-35) here at all times of the year :rolleyes:

recently on a relatively colder day (22 degrees) I heard the pump running when unlocking the car, but couldn't really notice any movement (or was maybe too late to look) so perhaps it is something to do with the ambient temp. (colder => less pressure => pump works to increase pressure?)