I've seen a few posts about the fx3 system but I didn't pay much attention to them because I dont have it,nobody I know has it and, It has no value for us autox track guys. That is untill now.
A friend of mine has a 94 with the fx3 that is throwing codes for a right rear shock. He called me tonight about it and I didn't have the answer.

Here is the question, as I remimber the actuator on top of the shock is usually the problem, How do I tell if this is the case without shotgunning parts? Can I remove the actuators and manually set the shocks to one setting and leave them making it a nonadjustable system?
If I pull the fuse for the darn thing will the ecm not post codes?

Just looking for all the answers so I can advise him of options.

 

ttt

 

If your friend knows how to pull codes, find out what they are and post them here. This will tell us if the problem is the shock, actuator or the controler itself.

 

code is 12 and 34
I'm suspecting a bad actuator. I have not seen the car this info came from a phone conversation.

If I pull the fuse for the system will the codes disappear?
I'm thinking of this for a limp mode till I can get parts

 

Once a FX3 code is set, the system will automatically go into (IIRC) Tour setting and the console switch has no effect on the system. The bad shock will most likely remain at whatever place the rod was. the codes are set in history and will come back as soon as the controller is powered up again if the system is not repaired.

The chances are that the small gear at the top of the shock rod has broken. If that's the case, the shock has to be replaced or sent to Bilstein for repair. The little pot metal gear is not sold separately by anyone, including Bilstein.

The rear shocks are easy to remove and should only take 10 minutes to do. Once the shock is out, remove the actuator by removing the snap ring. You can see what it looks like on a front shock. The actuator will come off by pulling straight up. Check the gear on the shock rod for damage. If it is broken, the gear will spin freely. Look at the inside of the actuator to see if the small ring gear is good. If that is broken, you will have to replace the actuator. Actuators are very pricey so if you need one, try eBay, the C4 Parts For Sale section. Bilstein is supposed to carry them now.

Code 12 is the start of the code sequences and youwill always get that
to start and to finish. A Code 34 is "Right Rear Out of Position" and that typically is a broken gear.

Also note that if the ignition switch is cycled three times without the car moving, a code 23 is set. That simply means that the controller did not get a vehicle speed signal.

 

....

 

If the plastic gears in the shock actuator are broken I am able to replace them with ones made from billet aluminum if you are interested. You can see if they are broken by removing the actuator and looking down through the rubber gasket.

 

With my experience with FX3 troubleshooting;
"out of position" = a broken actuator
"time out" = broken gear on the shock

 

thanks guys