Rear Suspension Stuck In The Down Position

[2.2HDI]

Hi,

 

I recently have had the same problem return whereby when i have to change a tyre on my C5 2.2HDI exclusive, the suspension sticks in the fully up or down position at the back only. I was told by my local dealer that the level sensor which is attached to the back axle/wishbone was cream crackered and needed replaced.

 

Having had this replaced by an Inde, the car still remains in the down position at the back only. Now the local Citroen dealer reckons that the pump that feeds the back suspension is cream crackered also. Any one any ideas opinions or fixes please, i'm starting to loose the plot with my C5.

 

Thx.

 

2.2HDI.

[coastline taxis]

Easy one to fix this one . Get the new pump like the dealer said and put it on job done

[2.2HDI]

Easy one to fix this one . Get the new pump like the dealer said and put it on job done

 

Any idea on a price at the dealers?

[coastline taxis]

Would think it would be around a thoushand plus fitting. have a word and see if they would fit a second hand one that you could supply from scrappy obviosly you wouldnt get a waranty of the dealers for the scrappy part. But dont be offended if they say no

[myglaren]

Hang on!

 

There is only one pump. If the front suspension is working, it can't be the pump, has to be something else.

 

There are a set of electrovalves that open and close according to input from the height corrector potentiometer. I would check these first to see if one or more are sticking or not responding to signals.

[2.2HDI]

Hi and thx for the help.

 

The dealer was 100% certain it was the sensor. As soon as i replaced that now its the pump. The front will lift and lower without problems, its just the back that refuses to move.

 

2.2HCI

[myglaren]

Pumps are far too expensive to replace if you are not absolutely certain that it is defective.

 

A Lexia should be able to show if the electrovalves are operating correctly.

Don't know where they are located physically though, sorry.

 

I'd try and find an alternative Citroen specialist that has a Lexia. It won't be cheap* to get the codes read but a damned sight cheaper than replacing a pump that doesn't need it.

 

*diagnostic sessions generally run at around £60 with an approximate variation of ± 30%

[2.2HDI]

Thx for the advice, I will check it out and keep you updated on my progress.

 

2.2HDI.

[coastline taxis]

When the car came back from getn the hieght adjuster done was it all workin ok

[2.2HDI]

When the car came back from getn the hieght adjuster done was it all workin ok

 

No, it was still stuck in the down position.

 

2.2HDI

[coastline taxis]

So just a quick recap

The dealer first told you that it needed a pump.

You took it to a indy and replaced a different part

now the dealer is still saying you need a pump

or have i got it wrong

 

 

 

Is yours a estate model by any chance

[coastline taxis]

So just a quick recap

The dealer first told you that it needed a pump.

You took it to a indy and replaced a different part

now the dealer is still saying you need a pump

or have i got it wrong

 

 

 

Is yours a estate model by any chance

[2.2HDI]

So just a quick recap

The dealer first told you that it needed a pump.

You took it to a indy and replaced a different part

now the dealer is still saying you need a pump

or have i got it wrong

Is yours a estate model by any chance

 

Hi Coastline, thx for helping out mate.

No its not an estate model.

1st i went to the dealer who charged me £57 odds and he said he reprogrammed the BHI. He did say that the rear level adjusting sensor needed replaced and quoted me a rough price of £130 to fit, which i felt a bit steep. He told me my problems would be gone.

 

I bought the part and got an Inde to fit it, £35 for the part and a new arm to go between the sensor and back axle, £30 to fit. It still refuses to lift at the back only after this. The Inde who knows the service manager at the local dealer phoned him to ask his advice.He says that 100% for sure its the pump. Before i commit any more money to the car i was just wondering if there is a possible workaround or cheaper option to fix.

 

It also has the dreaded anti pollution fault of late and i dont wanna spend a whole lot more on the car. I replaced the Timimg belt and Com 2000 this year at the dealer also altenator at Inde and maybe its not worth it to start throwing more money into the car. The back suspension is also starting to creak quite a bit so im trying to weigh up the options. When it drives it drives well, 97K on the clock but maybe its time to move on from my old C5 :-)

 

2.2 HDI

[Randombloke]

Before i commit any more money to the car i was just wondering if there is a possible workaround or cheaper option to fix.

 

It also has the dreaded anti pollution fault of late and i dont wanna spend a whole lot more on the car. I replaced the Timimg belt and Com 2000 this year at the dealer also altenator at Inde and maybe its not worth it to start throwing more money into the car. The back suspension is also starting to creak quite a bit so im trying to weigh up the options. When it drives it drives well, 97K on the clock but maybe its time to move on from my old C5 :-)

 

If you have access to a pit then you could inspect from underneath and see if moving the arm that connects the height sensor to the anti roll bar does anything. You'll probably need to disconnect it. Don't crawl under the car and move the arm as if does something you could end up being trapped.

 

It may be that the rear swing arm bearings are on the way out and this has had some effect on the self levelling of the car, if the back suspension is creaking.

 

Anti pollution faults - was the Eolys fluid changed and the filter replaced at the right service interval? If not, there might be the answer. If yes, then maybe the anti pollution fault has come from a torn diaphragm or broken link in the swirl control valve. Not too expensive to fix.

 

97k is not a lot for a 2.2HDi.

 

I would go with myglaren's advice to get all the codes read. Don't be fobbed off, get the actual codes themselves rather than just the "The code says we have to replace these parts." bullshit you normally get. Get the codes, Google the list of PSA codes and also post them here.

[2.2HDI]

Here is the update.

 

Had the C5 at the dealer today and the outcome was that the Inde had fitted the sensor incorrectly, the wrong way round according to the dealer. Once fitted correctly the problem has hopefully gone for good.

 

There was also a cracked pipe/hose in around the engine which they spliced and fixed. Not sure which as by the time i collected the car they had mostly gone home for the evening.

 

He also recommended new eloys and filter, i checked and i had this replaced at 63K by the dealer (now 93K on the car not 97K as i posted earlier) so is it usually replaced after 30K?

 

Total bill £170 labour and the car is driving well i have to say. Still a bit of creaking from the back but nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Thx all for the help, advice and suggestions.

 

2.2HDI.

[Randombloke]

There was also a cracked pipe/hose in around the engine which they spliced and fixed. Not sure which as by the time i collected the car they had mostly gone home for the evening.

 

Be worth finding out which pipe as this could lead to anti pollution faults... anything to do with EGR?

 

He also recommended new eloys and filter, i checked and i had this replaced at 63K by the dealer (now 93K on the car not 97K as i posted earlier) so is it usually replaced after 30K?

 

Eolys is 50k, 75k or 120k from memory. Someone who knows will correct me. Earliest cars are 50k. Depends on when yours was made, you can find out from the number posted in the drivers door pillar. Even if yours is a 50k, I would not expect a problem for a few miles yet.... my C5 is 75k and it's a mid 2002, I think.

 

Still a bit of creaking from the back but nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Could be swing arm bearings.......

[coastline taxis]

one nill to the dealer i would think. Maybe a trip to the indie to discuss a refund

[2.2HDI]

one nill to the dealer i would think. Maybe a trip to the indie to discuss a refund

 

That is on the cards, and also a warning that sometimes its best left to the experts :-)

 

I should have taken the dealers original £130 quote, would have saved me in the long run.

 

Deal or No deal anyone?

 

2.2HDI