Problem - Gowrings Mobility Conversion

[Blingow]

Dear all, I have a 2007 Berlingo Multispace Forte, which was produced as a mobility vehicle with a fold-down ramp, and lowering rear suspension which is operated (hydraulically) by a switch in the boot. I’m not mobility-impaired, but inherited the vehicle from my dad who died last year, and it makes a great fishing wagon! 

The suspension-lowering feature is great, except that the system has developed a fault i.e. the switch doesn’t do anything. Also, there’s a supplementary lamp in the boot, which has also ceased working.

I’ve been in touch with Gowrings, but they told me that no literature or tech info is available, or has ever been supplied for their conversions. That seems very odd, and makes fault-finding pretty tricky!
Does anyone have any idea as to what might be causing the fault, or how I might go about tracing it? Thanks in advance.

[bikerbaker]

I can't help with any advice and it seems very poor that Gowrings can't help. I'd try an auto electrician first to see if it's a problem with the pump if it was me.

The good thing (I suppose) is that the suspension runs at normal height in default mode and the pump is used to lower the vehicle, better than the other way round.

A friend's brother has a 2000 M49 Gowrings and uses it to transport his motorcycles. He showed me and explained it all a few weeks ago. I was struck with the amount of space the boxed in rear suspension took up.

Hope it turns out to be a couple of fuses!

[Blingow]

Thanks bikerbaker. Yes, the conversion’s not exactly what you’d call ‘streamlined’, but it does it’s job pretty well. Or would, if it was working! You’re probably right about the fuse; I was hoping Gowrings would at least offer some advice re. identifying which fuse it might be but, understandably I suppose, I guess they have other priorities..

[cancunia]

I've had 2 wheelchair conversions and had problems with documentation for both. It seems they rely on specialised dealers to investigate and fix problems based on prior experience rather than document the build.
From the description of the lamp no longer working, I'd also guess it's a fuse or perhaps a relay that's activated by the ignition switch somewhere. I discovered a relay on mine up behind the steering wheel that provides power to the rear when the ignition is on, it has a fuse built into the relay connector. The clue was an extra wire in the fuse box.

[Blingow]

Thanks cancunia, that’s useful to know. I’m pretty sure mine worked without the ignition on, so the circuit might have been completely independent. I think the best solution would be to get it along to an auto electrician who knows what to look for, and where to look for it.

[cancunia]

Thanks cancunia, that’s useful to know. I’m pretty sure mine worked without the ignition on, so the circuit might have been completely independent. I think the best solution would be to get it along to an auto electrician who knows what to look for, and where to look for it.

Yep, probably a good idea. My first WAV did not need the ignition on either, if you left the belt retractors on by mistake, it would flatten the battery.

[Tomcat3]

If you have a large grey panel at the rear nearside behind the spare wheel ( if fitted ) there will be wiring and I think you will find connections and a fuse. Also up by the fuse box behind the panel by your right knee you more than likely will have wiring taking power from the BSI unit (fuse box). Have a look around there to see if a fuse has blown. I fused the feed on my interior light when replacing it and it blew the fuse to the electrics operating the electric seat belt locks. Im sure the fuse was behind the grey panel.

[Blingow]

Ah great, thanks Tomcat3, I’ll remove that panel and take a look. I have it booked in for diagnosis on Friday, but if I could resolve it tomorrow, that would be great. Not forgetting the charge of £80 for the first hour…

I did have a quick peek into the drivers-side fuse box, but it was so cramped in there that I didn’t want to poke about in case I dislodged something and made it worse. Got to love the French, eh?

[Blingow]

We’ll I’m now £165 lighter, but the problem is fixed. There was a little switch which was operated when the boot was closed, preventing the hydraulic suspension system from operating while driving etc. Water had got into it and the switch had rusted and disintegrated; the auto-electricians have removed it altogether and bypassed it. Nobody travels in the boot, so the suspension-lowering system won’t ever be activated accidentally.

An easy fix, if you know where to look!

[Tomcat3]

Oh yes you mean the roller switch in the top corner of the rear pillar that shuts off power until the rear door is opened.