| Author | Message | ||
     Benoit Leus Frequent User Username: benoitleus Post Number: 419 Registered: 06-2009 |
A friend of mine recently bought a really nice 2000 Corniche V. However, a few days ago, while driving, the rear suspension locked itself in its highest position, making the car undrivable. My guess is the computer gets a signal that the car is severly loaded and compensates for this by raising the suspension. Where should we look first ? Benoit | ||
| Jim Walters Frequent User Username: jim_walters Post Number: 330 Registered: 01-2014 |
There is no computer control of the height control system, it is strictly mechanical. Either one of the height control valve arms has popped off it's connection or the minimum pressure valve is full of crud. Check the linkage arms of the height control valves first, that is likely where the fault is. SRH8505 SRC18015 SRE22493 NAC-05370 www.bristolmotors.com | ||
| Benoit Leus Frequent User Username: benoitleus Post Number: 420 Registered: 06-2009 |
Thanks for the info, Jim. Next week IŽll be seeing the car and will check everything. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3113 Registered: 06-2009 |
Benoit, Just curious, but is the "rear in the air" even across both sides, or did the left or right "lurch skyward" in isolation from the other? Brian | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 2100 Registered: 04-2009 |
Dear Brian, The tail of these cars is controlled by a single valve. The two back wheels usually either sink together or go up in the air together. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3114 Registered: 06-2009 |
Omar, Thanks. There's only so much minutiae I can keep crammed in my cranium, and I hadn't realized that the rear height control had ever gone "single valve," or at least if I did, that escaped ready retrieval! Brian | ||
| Benoit Leus Frequent User Username: benoitleus Post Number: 421 Registered: 06-2009 |
I inspected the Corniche today. It had been standing for over a week and the suspension was at its lowest setting as the system had depressurized. About 20 seconds after starting it up, the suspension started to rise to its highest setting, making the car undriveable. Am I then correct in assuming the minimum pressure valve must be operating correctly ? The linkage arm of the height control valve was still firmly in place. So I guess the height control valve itself is not operating correctly. Any thoughts are welcome. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3115 Registered: 06-2009 |
Does anything change if you manually manipulate the height control linkage? (Exercising appropriate care, of course.) Brian | ||
| Benoit Leus Frequent User Username: benoitleus Post Number: 422 Registered: 06-2009 |
Brian, I couldnŽt move the linkage, so the valve is probably stuck. Benoit | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3116 Registered: 06-2009 |
Benoit, Well, that failed attempt to manipulate the linkage tells you something. IETIS warns against jacking up the car and keeping the rear wheels unsupported for any extended period of time. They say, ". . . it may cause undue strain on the anti roll bar and height control valve linkage. This condition may cause the leveling system to raise the rear. Therefore, if the car is jacked up for long periods without support to the trailing arms, the height control system should be inspected to ensure correct operation afterwards." I can't seem to find the magic search terms regarding how one "renews" the height control valve, if that's even possible in this iteration. Brian |
