theconrodkid
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 08:40 AM |
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air suspension
Greetings all, long time no post cos....reasons.
some time ago i had a slight mishap and my right leg departed for pastures new, that means i now get around in a wheelchair(buggy) the buggy gets
around in the back of a citroen berlingo with a ramp at the back, the rear suspension is sposed to go down when i get in / out of said van but has
decided to stop playing ball, anyone know how it dumps the air (automatically) when i open back door or how i couldmake a manual override ?
tia all 
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 10:57 AM |
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Purely a guess, but an interior light type door switch and a solenoid - perhaps with some additional logic to stop it going down if the the switch is
faulty and the vehicle is moving?
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nick205
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 11:31 AM |
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No idea how the system works.
It reminds me of the "kneeling buses" - the way they lower themselves at the front to make it easier for wheelchairs to get on/off.
It also sounds like the system on your Berlingo has got maybe something wrong with it (failed switch/sensor).
Repairing the system that's there could be quicker (and more fail safe) than trying to re-engineer a system.
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 12:33 PM |
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have a look on the b pillar to see if there is a vin with the conversion companies name on it.
here are couple of links to common conversion kits,
https://www.tripodmobility.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/User-manual-Berlingo-M-Rifter-Combo-Life-booklet-A5-Engels-230202.pdf
https://www.b-style.eu/disability-car-wav/citroen/berlingo
but I suspect there may be a switch hiding somewhere; for selecting, up, auto, and down
one quick check, does the interior light work?
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 02:31 PM |
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thanks for the replies peeps, i did ring the conversion co some time ago with a simple question, their answer was bring it down and we will repair it,
all i wanted to know was the origin of rear brake calipers so i doubt they will be helpfull.
all the lights work, there are two interlocks, ignition off, doors unlocked before the ramp powers up, ramp works fine it,s just suspension not
goingdown but it pumps up after standing all night, i may just get a new system and get that fitted as it,s only around £150 ish
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 02:49 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
thanks for the replies peeps, i did ring the conversion co some time ago with a simple question, their answer was bring it down and we will repair it,
all i wanted to know was the origin of rear brake calipers so i doubt they will be helpfull.
all the lights work, there are two interlocks, ignition off, doors unlocked before the ramp powers up, ramp works fine it,s just suspension not
goingdown but it pumps up after standing all night, i may just get a new system and get that fitted as it,s only around £150 ish
can you name the conversion company? that way, we might be able to find specific info/answers
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nick205
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 02:52 PM |
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Curiosity...
Does the system have to be inspected as part of the MOT?
or is it subject to any other check/inspection
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 03:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Curiosity...
Does the system have to be inspected as part of the MOT?
or is it subject to any other check/inspection
the kits I linked to above are type approved, (so have eu coc so no iva required) but I am sure there is some paperwork after fitting.
mot should cover all suspension, but if it is at the correct ride hight when tested should be no issues.
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 5/12/24 at 06:19 PM |
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they are called GM coachworks,as above they were not exactly friendly when we rang about the calipers so i cant see them giving info away.
as it is part of the suspension i imagine it is a testable item, like a broken coil spring but the ability to go up and down is not
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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jacko
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| posted on 6/12/24 at 05:17 PM |
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Just guessing but could a filter on the pump be blocked?
When I worked on buses body side not suspension I remember there was valves that opened and closed to allow the air in and out the bags
G
555
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 7/12/24 at 08:02 AM |
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good qquestion Jacko...ill try to have a look when the gale receds 
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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jacko
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| posted on 7/12/24 at 07:58 PM |
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I had a chat with some body and they had similar issues on a Land Rover and it was a small plastic part that had broken in the valve on then pump
It may be worth investigated that kind of thing on yours
G
555
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jacko
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| posted on 7/12/24 at 09:39 PM |
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Having re read your post it sounds like it maybe a pressure switch if it’s supposed to drop the suspension when the rear door is opened
G
555
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 8/12/24 at 08:49 AM |
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Having re read your post it sounds like it maybe a pressure switch if it’s supposed to drop the suspension when the rear door is opened
G
thats about it, i have cleaned the switches i can see, the rest is underneath so hard to get to, i really would like someone to have a look and do the
job but no one is interested, last resort is replace bags with coil springs i spose
[Edited on 8/12/24 by theconrodkid]
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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jacko
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| posted on 10/12/24 at 09:54 AM |
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Been thinking about this I’m only guessing but could it be a stuck levelling valve the axel to body valve
[Edited on 10/12/24 by jacko]
555
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 11/12/24 at 08:57 AM |
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after ringing everyone i could think of and being quoted £800 + to replace the level valve, i decided to invest just over £100 and get a set of coils
springs....should be here friday then it,s a 5 min fitting job...he says hopefully
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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jacko
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| posted on 11/12/24 at 02:12 PM |
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Ok I’m glad your sorted
Graham
555
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JoelP
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| posted on 11/12/24 at 08:11 PM |
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That's what l'll be doing to my discovery next time it breaks. It's about a grand a year keeping the air suspension working.
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 12/12/24 at 08:45 AM |
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Joel, did you repair it yourself or find someone else to do it ?, i couldnt find anyone who wanted to have a go...oh well back to the simple way of
doing things.
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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JoelP
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| posted on 12/12/24 at 08:28 PM |
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No one wants to work on anything these days, I'm stuck taking it to the local independent specialist. My friend has a mate who works there who
won't fix it himself, despite knowing he's going to end up doing it at work anyway! Ludicrous. My favourite mechanic first said it was too
heavy for his ramp, and then retired anyway!
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 13/12/24 at 08:34 AM |
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Joel, crazy world, i remember when life was simple
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 19/12/24 at 01:34 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
No one wants to work on anything these days...My favourite mechanic first said it was too heavy for his ramp, and then retired anyway!
My local MOT garage told me they couldn't get their ramps under my lifted Hilux. I just looked at him incredulous.
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