83 Sport/Auto self changing phenomenon Suspension
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 123
3/3/99
83 Sport/Auto self changing phenomenon
I also had problems with the auto/sport "self changing" phenomenon, I found the immediate and total
cure to be simply removing ALL the earth ’Lucar’ connectors & blocks on the two inner wings behind the
headlamps and fitting ring terminals which were simply fitted straight on to the mounting studs revealed
when the blocks were taken off. Easy !! – Later cars already have this feature fitted.
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Something I forgot to mention is that when the suspension is working normally, moving the Auto/Sport
switch on the console causes a telltale on the dashboard to light up after a very short delay. When it’s
locked itself into Sport mode, moving the switch doesn’t cause the light to come on. Does this give a
clue?
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I mentioned a while ago that my ’92 XM2.0i was sometimes locking thesuspension on the "hard" setting
for no apparent reason.
A couple of people suggested the earthing points on the front wings. My car didn’t have the earthing
blocks as described, but spade terminals. Nevertheless I took them off, cleaned everything and
reassembled them with a bit of petroleum jelly, and for two or three weeks everything worked perfectly.
Today it stuck in "hard" again. I remembered that I’d set off in a hurry, turning the key straight from off to
start without waiting for the diagnostics. Could this have been the cause?
I have also formed the hypothesis that when it sticks in "hard" the system can be tricked into going back
to normal by stopping and opening the door. I’ve tried this twice, and it worked each time (today without
even stopping the engine). Does this make sense?
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I have heard that early XM’s can appear to set the suspension into sports mode if the front wheels are
not pointing forward when the ignition is switched on. The sensor on the turning angle is read when the
ignition is first switched on and this is assummed to be the straight ahead position. As you can see when
the wheels are then turned to be striaght ahead the computer believs you are now turning a cirner and
isolates the 3rd sphere.
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I understand that one of the most likely causes of intermittent switching of the suspension to "sport" is
poor connections within the suspension computer.
One of the three semi sealed electronic boxes on the right side of the engine bay contains this computer.
Get someone who is an electronic engineer to open up and examine all the printed board contacts,
preferably under a Ledu magnifying lamp.
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