paul.h

You could try a direct battery feed (via a fuse) but you would need a switch that gives a quick pulse of 12 volts to the lock to 1 of the 2 bsi connections on the lock and an earth to the earth one - ideally using a new connector if making this permanent. The switch would need to be inside the car or anyone could open it. How this would affect the central locking and the bsi I do not know but just removing the electrical connector from the lock has the same effect since you will be leaving this not connected.

I have had no bother with the Citroen service box manual on 3 dvds and I have seen them as low as £4 from such as ebay. When you get the discs, you start the installation which gives an installation code, you then send this to the seller who gives you an activation code to allow the installation to complete. No need to download anything from the internet. The Haynes C5 manual covers the 2.0 hdi SOHC DW10TD / DW10ATED engine, codes RHY and RHZ. However, I do not know if it is exactly like the Xsara engine. You might find a copy in a library. Your engine code makes up part of the VIN.

It could also be the remote key needs to be synchronised to the car again - there should be a procedure in the car handbook to be followed when replacing the key fob battery.

I have moved this in to a subsection since ones outside do not show after a few days. Any replies, please add to the post in the new members forum to avoid duplication.

Seems to be normal, RichCliff has recently posted his windows do this on his 2004 C5 1.8. It will be mentioned somewhere in your handbook. (I will move this post in to the C5 Technical subsection since posts outside of a subsection do not show after a few days)

A member has recently installed reversing sensors on his C4 and there is a pinned note on the C4 section.

If it happens again, make a note of the codes before deleting them and put them on here/do an internet search to see what they may mean. The burning smell - possibly a leaking injector seal - remove the engine cover and have a look at them. The fuel filter may be due for renewal, the diesel may be a bad batch. There may be a problem with the auto gearbox/control - there are some members with experience who may have some ideas and to check the gearbox a Lexia diagnostic tool would be needed. Check that the warning lights work when starting up in case a bulb has gone.

I assume this is an exclusive with hydractive suspension. If you raise the suspension, look to see if the front right suspension strut bellows is a loose fit at the bottom, also check for an oil leak down it (and the other side) which if only very slightly damp is ok but any more and it needs replacing. The thought is an oil leak could be helping to seal the bellows, trapping air until the suspension sinks a bit and builds up pressure and it then blows out. To help locate the noise, stand outside the car, bonnet open and get somebody else to stop the engine.

If the engine fan is running, the car must think the engine is hot and that comes from the engine temperature sensor. If you plug the car in to a code reader that gives live data or ideally a Lexia, you can see what the sensor shows and decide if it is faulty. If it is not something simple like this then the full diagnostic check is needed as already mentioned.

As mentioned above, the sensor is on the windscreen at the back of the interior mirror and can be seen from the outside - it also does the auto headlights. The auto wipe replaces a normal intermittant wiper (so you will at least have that) and controls the wipe speed and frequency depending on how much rain hits the windscreen at the sensor. I have found it not that good - the intermittant wipe always waits a bit too long and I would prefer a fixed time. It may be possible the wiper switch (which includes all the comms 2000 unit below the steering wheel) has been replaced since the car was new. On the mpg screen - I think I read on here that the single line one can be replaced by the 2 line one and it will just work without needing anything else doing but we need somebody to confirm this.

I make a point of writing the key number on the car handbook when I get a new (to me) car so if it is lost it may make it easier to get a new one. From memory, someone on here broke their key but one of the pins was still left and this was still enough to allow the wheel to be removed - maybe this would serve as a universal key.

For a low cost option you may have to try a scrap yard, Citroen parts diagrams only list complete drive shafts with the joint at each end. Depending on the side, Citroen exchange ones are about £300 and new £340 (from citroencarparts.net). The eurocarparts website shows them at less than half this, £138 to £155 depending on the side. (I will move your topic into the Technical subsection since ones outside a subsection do not show after a few days and can not be easily found.)

From the parts diagrams it looks as if Citroen only sell the handle with the door card. If it is just the silver paint that has scratched off then you could spray it again. A can would only be about £5 and would have enough to do all 4 doors so they look the same. On one from a scrap car it is likely the paint would also be damaged so best to collect yourself so it could be checked.

Regular servicing, in particular oil/filter changes at least every year or 12500 miles if sooner. Being a turbo, before stopping the engine, let it idle for half a minute for the turbo to slow/cool down to help prolong its life - this will be in the handbook somewhere. I have never had an auto so unable to comment on that. First make sure everything works and the exhaust does not smoke whilst it is still under warranty. If it has alloy wheels, remove them, clean the hub/wheel contact faces and apply a smear of copper grease so they do not rust on - it is easier to do this on your drive rather than on the roadside if you ever get a puncture. Also I always try to keep the family out of my car to keep it looking its best. Citroen do touch up paints for about £13 with the colour and laquer together, if there are any stone chips/etc. Haynes now do a manual for the C4 which may apply to a lot of the car. You can also get the Citroen manuals on dvd from such as ebay for about £4.

I would look in your Citroen service/maintenance book - for the 1.6 hdi it should say 12500 miles or 1 year, whichever is first. The 1.6 hdi in Citroens (and other makes using this engine) has a reputation for turbo failure and the annual service oil/filter change should not be missed. The front brake discs will be either 22 or 26 mm thick when new with a minimum of 2 mm less.

This is a bit like a buying guide so thought it is worth pinning.

I can not understand why people want BMWs, may be expensive, unreliable, rust, rear wheel drive (winter is on its way and they do not like snow although snow tyres may help - got stuck on our street once behind a neighbour and it is flat), you have to drive in the outside lane of motorways, etc. The 2008 C5 on (and earlier models) always gets good reports on here, some early ones may have had problems and needed recalls but by now they must have been sorted. You could try part exchange on the C2 to sell it. As for the sat nav, I have it on our 2007 C5 with the colour screen (2.2 hdi VTX), as noted above, it takes addresses but not post codes, the map can be zoomed in/out by turning a knob, the maps I find useful just to have on when in unfamiliar areas and find it better than a Garmin. It will show congestion on the route, etc and overall if you have a choice of a car with and one without it is useful to have. Something to watch for on higher mileage ones are the timing belt will need doing and the exhaust particle filter will need doing, both expensive jobs.

You need to register yourself and then you can use your vin to get the correct alternator. Without the vin there are several ones. The 2.2 hdi C5 are all 150 amp but other models use as low as 80 amp. The 2.0 hdi can be 90 or 120 amp, a 1.9 Berlingo is only 70 amp so I do not know from the ebay listing what alternator is being provided - I would contact the supplier and ask for more information or look on the alternator for any labels. The site is service.citroen, then register as another professional, member of the Citroen Owners Club - this is allowed as a member of a car club. You do not have to do it in French since you can select your own language. http://service.citroen.com/do/changerParametres The parts diagrams are a free service, there are others that you can pay for but I have never bothered since you can get the Citroen manuals/parts diagrams/wiring diagrams on 3 dvds from such as ebay for £4.

This is from the Citroen manuals for checking the front height - 2. Preliminary operationsCheck the LDS fluid level (see the relevant operation).Verify the tyre pressure.Place the vehicle on a 4 -post lift.Put the vehicle in the normal position.Release the parking brake.Start the engine.3. Checking each axle in turnPush up the vehicle.Let go when the weight becomes too important.The vehicle will drop, then rise and settle.Measure the height.Push the vehicle down.Retain the vehicle in this position ; let go when it rises.The vehicle will rise, then drop and settle.Measure the height.Take the average of the 2 measurements. Dimension " L1" for checking the front height is measured between the flat section "b" on the underside of the front subframe and the centre line "a" of the road wheel.This method does away with all the variations of measurement arising from the following factors :Types of wheels fittedVehicle loadWear or incorrect inflation of the tyresH1 = R1 - L1.H1 = Front height (± 6 mm).R1 = Wheel radius ( mm). From the wheel centre to the ground.L1 = Theoretical dimension between the flat section of the front subframe and the centre line of the road wheel.L1 = 140 mm. (the underside of the subframe should be 140 mm below the wheel centre)The measurement of the front dimension " H1" is between the ground and the measuring zone on the underside of the front subframe (at the rear of the front suspension arm fixing yokes). If the height is more than 10mm out, the height adjuster is moved, if less a Lexia is used . ----------------------------------------------------------- Additional info for checking the rear height 25/7/2014. The rear height H2M is measured between the ground and the zone "a" on the crossmember (behind the rear sphere).4.5. Calculating the rear height H2CH2C = R2 + 73 mm .R2 = Rear wheel radius ( mm).Compare :The value measured H2MThe value calculated H2CAdjust the rear height if necessary.

I have asked before for caravan towing experience using the new C5 but do not get any replies, so it appears new C5 members on here do not tow. There have been reports in the Caravan Club magazine but these had the hydractive suspension. I think the early 2.2 hdi new C5 also has the hydractive suspension on all models. Some time ago I was considering a new C5 tourer and sat in the boot to see how far the suspension would drop, it did a bit, but in the end I went for a mark 2 C5 estate, one reason being the new C5 was too wide to fit in our garage. You also need to check the nose weights on the new C5, they are quite low and vary with the different models and years. If you look at the car handbooks on the service.citroen website they are all listed. You could also have a look on the Caravan Talk forum but there seem to be few, if any, using the new C5 as a tow car. (I have edited the topic title)

Useful info, I will pin this topic so easy to find. Which sensor kit did you fit ?

If you provide more info on your C3 Pic (model, engine, year) we can look up the disc thickness and then you can measure yours to see if they have worn to the minimum. Machine Mart sell a 0-25mm micrometer for £12 which will do the job. Often at a service a garage may recommend pad/disc replacement on the assumption you will do the full mileage of the service interval before coming back and then have to consider if they will wear out in that time. So for a 2 year 20000 mile interval (unless 1.6 hdi), chances are they would wear out and hence the recommendation.

If you set the air to the central vents and then put the heater to cold, does the air still come out warm from the central vents - just to see if the heater flap is not moving fully.

It could be a faulty temperature sensor, does your code reader show live data so you can see what the sensor is indicating, the air inlet one (AIT or IAT), and the engine coolant one ?

Citroen use 3 coloured bands on the springs to help identify them, can be a mix of green, blue, white, yellow, red. So if you clean up the old springs you should be able to use this to ensure you have the right one. Ideally you would use your vin on the Citroen parts site to get the correct part no. When one broke on our 2003 C3 the dealer replaced both so they were matched and just as well since it was not quite as before, seemed a little higher and handled a bit differently to start with. Provided you gave CES your car details they should have supplied the correct part and if not then I would expect them to take it back. The top photo definitely looks as if the spring is not seated right and off centre. Did it look like the old spring ? When you have a look, if not seated right it may be possible to use your spring compressors to compress it and reposition it without having to remove it. On the General Discussion section there is a link to Citroen parts prices and it looks as if a spring from Citroen is about £74.