C5 X7 Hydractive Suspension Issues

[MonsieurM]

Hi all,
I have just inherited a 2015 C5 tourer with very few miles on it, but unfortunately the MOT has expired and I am having an issue with the Hydractive suspension system. Before I subjected myself to a dealer, I read many helpful threads on here but have not been able to resolve my issues.

I get a warning of "Suspension Fault, Max 55mph" if the car is driven. Selecting higher/lower ride heights does nothing - the car is constantly sitting at the lowest setting. I am able to hear and feel the pump running so I don't think the fuses/relays are to blame. I noticed the fluid level was low so put in 1 litre but it still doesn't move anywhere. There's no evidence of a leak. I do know the car had a tyre change at a quick fit type place last year, I doubt they followed the cap off procedure when raising the car.

I am at a loss as to how to proceed - any hints would be really appreciated. I do not have Lexia/Diagbox but will get one bought if necessary (not least as I have a PG308 with issues too).

[Hell Razor5543]

Hi, and to the Forum.

I would first check the LDS level within the reservoir. As she is bottomed out it is easy to check. Take the cap off and see if the fluid is between the two levels mentioned in post 5 of the attached thread;

viewtopic.php?t=56238

If it is low you will need to add more LDS fluid (do NOT use any other hydraulic fluid, as it will not meet the PSA standards). If it still does not lift it may be that the pump needs priming (as it does not self prime). I have not had to prime the pump myself, but some Forum members say it is possible to achieve the required pressure by sealing your lips around the filling port and blowing hard.

[Jay-Bruce]

Hi all,
I have just inherited a 2015 C5 tourer with very few miles on it, but unfortunately the MOT has expired and I am having an issue with the Hydractive suspension system. Before I subjected myself to a dealer, I read many helpful threads on here but have not been able to resolve my issues.

I get a warning of "Suspension Fault, Max 55mph" if the car is driven. Selecting higher/lower ride heights does nothing - the car is constantly sitting at the lowest setting. I am able to hear and feel the pump running so I don't think the fuses/relays are to blame. I noticed the fluid level was low so put in 1 litre but it still doesn't move anywhere. There's no evidence of a leak. I do know the car had a tyre change at a quick fit type place last year, I doubt they followed the cap off procedure when raising the car.

I am at a loss as to how to proceed - any hints would be really appreciated. I do not have Lexia/Diagbox but will get one bought if necessary (not least as I have a PG308 with issues too).

When you try and raise the car, can you hear a pump like a pressure washer whirring at the front right hand corner of the vehicle? A good fault code reader should give you access to the suspension ecu and see what fault codes it's generating.

[MonsieurM]

When you try and raise the car, can you hear a pump like a pressure washer whirring at the front right hand corner of the vehicle? A good fault code reader should give you access to the suspension ecu and see what fault codes it's generating.

Yes, I can hear the pump running and I can feel it vibrating slightly when touching it. I have a decent code reader (Autel mk808) but it didn't find anything.

I checked and topped up the LDS fluid and it's exactly between the two marks. I guess I will have to try priming it - hopefully can find a way of doing it without smooching (I suppose it is French car after all)!

[Sloppysod]

If it still does not lift it may be that the pump needs priming (as it does not self prime). I have not had to prime the pump myself, but some Forum members say it is possible to achieve the required pressure by sealing your lips around the filling port and blowing hard.

I added pressure to mine by connecting piece of screen washer pipe to and old brake fluid reservoir cap fitted to the suspension reservoir and applying a little pressure with a bicycle pump.
Only needs a bit of pressure, so 5 psi MAX. ( I think Citroen state 0.5 bar (7.4 psi)
Good luck.

[dulenator]

I always managed to prime it by blowing through a hand into the reservoir. It really needs a little bit of help.

[MGmike]

You could also try depressurising the system with your Autel. I had one airlock after replacing a blown pipe in the rear. I can only assume the act of opening all the valves to depressurise the system pushed the air back into the tank and up she went.

And

[MonsieurM]

Tried with no luck to pressurise it (with a few methods).

I can definitely hear and the pump running after the engine is shut off, but I can't be sure it is running whilst the engine is on due to the noise. I would lean towards it not switching on when the engine is on.

I don't think this would be a fuse/relay problem as it does definitely run. Could it be the height sensors not telling the car what height it is so it doesn't know what to do? Any tips on checking/managing this?

Sorry for all the questions - I would take it to a garage but I'm wary of non specialists for this system, and being an MOT failure I can't easily get it over to our nearest specialist.

[KennyW]

I would get a member near to your location to give a check with Diagbox. There maybe a fault code registered which may help diagnose the problem. Be careful not keep trying to raise the car as you might blow the fuse and/or damage the pump.

Kenny

[PaulC5]

Have a look at the height sensors, a common problem on the C5X7 is for the link rods on them to break, they might be plastic and new ones are available. If going underneath use axle stands to support the car, especially if you are going to mess with the height sensors.
This shows the front sensor but that looks to have a metal rod
viewtopic.php?t=75981

[MonsieurM]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your help here and in the many other threads and information on this forum.

After a lot of drama we have finally sorted the car, MOTd and driving fine. I will explain briefly what happened in case it helps anyone in the future:
-the car was very low mileage and would not respond to the height change buttons, though i could clearly hear the pump working and all fuses were fine. The suspension fault message max 55mph would appear when driving
-connected Diagbox and found 35 pages of faults (!)
-the car due to its low mileage had lost battery charge quite a few times over the past year, and I suspected most of the errors were due to past low voltage. The suspension ECU had a number of faults related to the height sensors
-I cleared all codes using Diagbox
-I used Diagbox to depressurise the system
-I then bled the system using the method found in another thread, turning the wheel all the way side to side a few times
-the car then responded to the height change buttons and worked fine, holding height overnight

The moral of the story is if you suspect any kind of low voltage issue at any point in the car's past, get it on Diagbox and clear out the codes and then begin troubleshooting, otherwise the car may be blocking itself even if all components are fine.

I will be putting this timewarp C5 (2015, 6900 miles) up for sale soon, if anyone has interest please PM me.

[jgra1]

'35 pages of faults'

good work though , as you can see I have just been through a similar situation.. great cars though.. If I could I would have a V6 manual tourer version next!

John