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[Varche]

For a few days I have suspected that my self levelling suspension isn't working. It used to hiss from the rear shocker area with the engine running and doesn't now. I "tested" it as per the book of lies today and it didn't fail the test. The ref point on the bumper was 5 cm lower with a large rock, 2 gallons of water in a large bucket, 25 kilo bag of cement. Both measurements were done handbrake off, start car wait 20 or so seconds then apply handbrake and measure.

Any suggestions as to where to start looking, if indeed I need to? What goes on the system? compressor, sensor?

varche

  

[Albatross]

Try to disconnect the sensor arm from the rear trailing arm and then push the sensor arm all the way up. This will "trick" the car into thinking it is heavily laden and should then jack the car up. You can get the rear end to get really quite ridiculously high. I used to do this to allow me to work under the car as it is at least as high as using a jack.

The sensor arm is a flat peice of metal joined from a small (fag packet sized) black plastic box on the rear off side of the car and the rear trailing arm with a ball joint at each end. A big flat bladed screwdriver will prise it off the ball joint at the trailing arm end and a pair of pliers will push it back on.

You can see it all from the back of the car, just in front of the fuel tank.


BTW: The hissing doesn't sound that good to me

[Omegatoy]

hmm should hear the compressor near the n/side wing when it runs???
can on the diamond estate just leave the ignition on for a couple of mins and it fires up, is the omega a different system then? I DIDNT THINK SO?

[Varche]

Took the lever ball joint off and raised and lowered it. Nada, not a sausage. It moved very, very easily. I guess that is normal.

Tried listening for a pump under wing - nothing. But that isn't to say that it wasn't running. car is louder than a 747 on take off.

Had a look at the wiring diagram in the book of lies. My god even with a magnifying glass I couldn't make head or tail of it.

PS no hissing sound anymore at the back end shocker area. All pipes look to be in place.

Any suggestions please as to what to look at next?

varche

[Andy B]

hmm should hear the compressor near the n/side wing when it runs???
can on the diamond estate just leave the ignition on for a couple of mins and it fires up, is the omega a different system then? I DIDNT THINK SO?

It's under the driver's side wing/bumper on an Omega B  

[VX1]

Check the fuse in the fuse box under the steering wheel, if you can't here the compressor working then it could be the fuse thats blown.

Paul  

[Varche]

Had another look at this today. This is the current situation.

Compressor runs under the front wing.

When I take a pipe off the rear shocker and take the lever off the sensor and lift up air hisses out of the disconned pipe.

So I am left suspecting that BOTH shockers have gone (they were replaced four years ago). Is that likley? Also how much air presssure should there be coming out of the disconnected hose. It is weak sounding rather than the "blow" I half expected. Is that normal?

varche

[feeutfo]

Had another look at this today. This is the current situation.

Compressor runs under the front wing.

When I take a pipe off the rear shocker and take the lever off the sensor and lift up air hisses out of the disconned pipe.

So I am left suspecting that BOTH shockers have gone (they were replaced four years ago). Is that likley? Also how much air presssure should there be coming out of the disconnected hose. It is weak sounding rather than the "blow" I half expected. Is that normal?

varche

No idea how much air is output to the shocks but at 150 a pair from vx, i guess you need to be sure they are buggered before splashing out. Do you have any way of getting an air line on the shock air inlet and see if they hold up?

Im suprised you cant hear the pump running, mine is quite loud, maybe buggered but still works. see the pedal trick video under paperclip test in maintenance guides. The pump can be clearly hurd.

By the way.Easy test i find is to move the sensor as said and just sit on the rear bumper with the boot open,feet on the floor. If it moves you will feel it in your legs, it can take 4 or 5 mins to reach full hight so the pump output is not massive, on mine anyway. Hth

[stevief]

Slightly different problem to mine as my compressor was constantly trying to pump up the shocks but the problem may be the same assuming the compressors are the same on the pre and post facelifts.

Itturned out to be the end cap on the compressor had backed off slightly allowing the "O" ring seal to pop out of the seal bore so not allowing sufficient pressure to build up. Took the end off, cleaned it up and tigightened it back in place and all was okay.

Steve

[Entwood]

stevief .. your post is unreadable due to the size of your avatar !!!!

800 x 600 when site limits are 110 x110 !!

[feeutfo]

Slightly different problem to mine as my compressor was constantly trying to pump up the shocks but the problem may be the same assuming the compressors are the same on the pre and post facelifts.

Itturned out to be the end cap on the compressor had backed off slightly allowing the "O" ring seal to pop out of the seal bore so not allowing sufficient pressure to build up. Took the end off, cleaned it up and tigightened it back in place and all was okay.

Steve

Now readable.

[dbug]

Slightly different problem to mine as my compressor was constantly trying to pump up the shocks but the problem may be the same assuming the compressors are the same on the pre and post facelifts.

Itturned out to be the end cap on the compressor had backed off slightly allowing the "O" ring seal to pop out of the seal bore so not allowing sufficient pressure to build up. Took the end off, cleaned it up and tigightened it back in place and all was okay.

Steve

Now readable.

Readable in IE but avatar still sized @ 800x600!! - HUGH

[Mr Skrunts]

Slightly different problem to mine as my compressor was constantly trying to pump up the shocks but the problem may be the same assuming the compressors are the same on the pre and post facelifts.

Itturned out to be the end cap on the compressor had backed off slightly allowing the "O" ring seal to pop out of the seal bore so not allowing sufficient pressure to build up. Took the end off, cleaned it up and tigightened it back in place and all was okay.

Steve

Hiya Stevie.  Could you sort your Avatar out please  I use FF and it is full size accross my screen.

Cheers.  

[stevief]

Sorry guys. Avatar was fine when I posted and has been since it was first used but for some reason it changed yesterday.

Steve