Citroen XM Forum

Hi guys,

Just a case of curiosity this one, its not my C5, in fact I have no idea who owns it, but it was doing something strange.

To explain, I recently saw an S1.5 C5 (the 2004-08 one), which was bob-bob-bobbing along the road like Rocky Robin, and so many Xantias before it with flat spheres or dodgy height correctors. Wondering just what the hell was causing it to bounce around so violently like some lowered boy racer chariot, I looked more closely and realised that it was driving at minimum ride height both front and rear.

I understood that with the C5's electronically controlled ride height, the Citroen specs said the suspension computer wouldn't actually allow the car to remain at minimum height if it started to move above say 5 km/h, and would automatically restore it to the standard ride height if that happened.
This magnificent specimen however was easily doing 30, 40 km/h, so I was wondering just how is this situation possible?
Same height correctors as Xantia (both failing simultaneously )?
Electronics / sensor screwup?
Anyone seen this before?
Is this the kind of thing we have to look forward to?
Will I ever stop asking silly questions?

It just made me curious, this is the first time I've seen one of the wonderful electronic suspension models behave in that fashion...

Ciarán

Could be no fluid in the system either, as PAS is still linked into suspension and can leak and fail like our beloved LHM cars. Plus LDS is bloody dear compared to LHM which won't help either.

Pump failure, or would that stop it driving?

Hmmm, I never thought about running out of fluid actually, might well be, though that brings me on to Peter's point, if the pump were to fail (or the fluid level to drop), would the nanny electronics prevent the car from running / put it into limp mode I wonder...

Though in this case it might not be a bad thing, the driver seemed oblivious and was booting it along nicely. The best part is, it was a taxi, bet the passengers were well impressed with the ride

LOL...

I suppose he could have been taking it to get it fixed.

Mine hasn't done that - yet

On yours Peter, if you put it at minimum height then drive away, does it automatically return itself to normal?

Our C5 will beep, flash up a warning and I'm almost certain it will got the correct height it wants to. I haven't really checked it, but it does gurn and beep.

I really don't know but I think so, I have altered it several times - for no particular reason but when I drive off it always seems to be at normal height. I like the idea of the height switch just inside the tailgate.

Peter

The other handy thing with the electric pumped C5 is that the pump will whirr when you use the remote locking plip, and the car is at proper height/pressure when you are ready to take off.