Johndouglas

Hello & welcome to the forum. I sympathize with your predicament about diagnosing faults for daughters from a distance. I know the feeling well. Four possible faults here. First check that the battery is holding a charge. You need at least 12.6 volts to turn the engine over. Also check the cables from the battery to the starter and also the negative strap from the battery to its earthing point. Corrosion on any of the connections will give poor starting. If the battery and cables are OK, then check the starter motor. Finally, although the battery is in good condition, if the alternator isn't putting out sufficient volts, it won't charge the battery. Ideally the voltage should be checked at the battery with the engine off to see if it reads 12.6 (or there abouts). Then checked again when the engine is running to see if the battery then reads 14.5 or more. If it does show those voltages, then the alternator is OK> I'm puzzled by the reference to the TM button. That usually only has an effect if you've taken out a subscription. I wouldn't be too worried about "misting" on the suspension legs. Nearly all hydraulic C5s have that and MOT testers who are not too familiar with Citroens often mark it down as an advisory or even a fail. The thing to do is to lift the boots and give then a wipe just prior to presenting the car for an MOT. Low LDS fluid is not likely to prevent the engine from starting, neither will touching the suspension level buttons.

Hello & welcome to the forum. We have collected together a number of posts which will be of interest to you. Have a browse then come back with your questions. http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20514-c5-buying-guide/ http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20741-a-few-questions-about-mk3-tourer-buying/ http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20279-common-problems-rev-392015/

A search of the forum will throw up the procedure several times, but here it is to save you some time. Put the driver's window down, lift the bonnet and ensure all equipment is switched off. Ensure all doors are closed and remove key from the ignition. Wait for 3 minutes, disconnect the vehicle battery. Reconnect the vehicle battery, wait for half a minute (do not open doors.). Switch on the side lights through the driver's window. Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality. Hold lock button on key down for 10 seconds. Remove key open & close door test central locking system. Start the engine and complete the system's check. Failure to follow this procedure could result in incorrect operation of many BSI related items. You'll need to reset your clock.

Lexia is the diagnostic machine used by Citroen dealers. The Chinese have cloned it and examples are sold on ebay - some better than others. In fact, it's reported that some won't even work on C5's. A known good model, although not the cheapest can be seen here:- http://easydiagnostics.co.uk/#/shop/4590186381/lexia-3-diagbox-for-citroen-peugeot/10015520 Some forum members have their own Lexia and for a beer token will introduce it to your car. It might be that any code reader will give an indication of a fault codes. My previous C5 went into limp mode when I was towing my caravan up a steep hill in Spain. On reaching the top of the hill, I read the code and deleted it. Fortunately the fault didn't come back.

Rest easy. They are the same specification. PSA S71 2710

Look at your V5 document. PS> You have managed to enrol as a forum member twice. I've disabled one of your profiles as it may lead to confusion in the future.

It sounds as though you have a leak in the brake booster. The leak may be internal or in the vacuum hose. Check the hoses in the engine compartment first. With the engine ticking over, you are looking for air being sucked in.

Most code readers only work on engine faults. To diagnose any others you'll need a Lexia session.

Lexia is the diagnostic machine used by Citroen dealers. The Chinese have copied them and turn out cloned versions - some better than others - it seems that some won't even work on C5's. Guys who know more about them than what I do reckon that this company's machine is a good one. http://easydiagnostics.co.uk/#/shop/4590186381/lexia-3-diagbox-for-citroen-peugeot/10015520

Try the breakers or possibly ebay. But be wary of using a secondhand towbar for anything other than pulling a small trailer. You'll never know its history.

Maybe you should come back with questions about your ZX after you've had some driving lessons.

So if it doesn't move with the engine running, how do you know the clutch is OK? With the engine running and the clutch pedal down, can you change the gears. To the left and up for 1st; left and back for 2nd; to the right and up for 3rd and right and back for 4th.

It's either not in gear or the clutch is slipping.

Is it the levers on the callipers or the cables within the guide tubes that's causing the handbrake to stay on? Both have a tendency to stop the pads releasing. If it's the former, see http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/15045-seized-caliper-fix/

If your engine hasn't had new engine oil and a new filter whilst it's been in your ownership, I would do it before trying anything else.

Looking at the parts diagram on service.citroen it appears there's only one front drain pipe and a rear pipe - unless for clarity they just show one?

Maybe there's a connector at that point with a smaller diameter bore hole.

When/if you do get one, you'll be pleased to know that there's no need to remove the bumper to fit it. Only the under cover needs to be removed. It can be cut and replaced but usually they are left off.

Could you feed a length of plastic coated curtain wire through the drain tube to try and clear it?

You may have inadvertently pressed the end of the stalk switch. Press it again and it may show something else.

There are some on ebay. Here's one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-C5-ESTATE-TOWBAR-2005-/181737621681?hash=item2a506808b1

Only yesterday forum member PICASSOCONVERT sent his C5 off to the breakers. He lives in the Bedfordshire area but if you were to contact him he might know to which breaker it was taken.

Sorry I can't help. Maybe somebody will be along later who knows.

First you need to upload your picture to a host site like Photobucket or Flickr. When the photo is in your library, copy the IMG link with the URL then paste it in the reply box on this forum. The "Attach files" facility on this site, for some reason won't work.

The headlamps for the Xenon lit cars have different Citroen part numbers to those used on the halogen lit cars so presumably they are not interchangeable. And a quick comparison of the two cars shows the Xenon car with a projector type lens. The halogen car doesn't have that. Although I haven't compared the two, I would imagine the shape of the reflector is different, as would be the aperture to hold the bulb holder.