C5 In Limp Home Mode - Help Please

[Guest Royce]

Hi all, I bought a c5 (without warranty) a couple of weeks ago.

 

CAR DETAILS

C5 Exclusive 2.2 HDI

 

i've had just about every error message appear from 'airbag fault' , 'tyres punctured', anti-pollution fault, diesel additive low, ESP/ASR not functioning ... think that covers it.

 

The car has now gone into 'limp home' mode with very very slow 'pick-up' to 2,500 revs and a top speed of 50 (slightly more downhill with a following wind!!).

 

I've had an electronic process carried out which 'erased' all of the error messages and 're-generated' the system. This didn't get rid of the error messages and hasn't improved the limp home.

 

I've seen the worrying messages from people who've poured good money after bad at Citroen and I need your help!!

 

One other thing to say is that when the "ESP/ASR not functioning" error message shows, I get SLIGHTLY more poke from the car - only slightly, but I thought it worth mentioning because it's happened both times the message has appeared since 're-generation'.

 

All help will be gratefully received to stop this becoming an expensive sofa that sits outside my house !!

 

R

[paul.h]

What year and mileage is the car ? Have you had the error codes read and is so what are they ? Note the air bag fault will not be read by a simple engine code reader but will need such as a dealer one - however, it is worth checking the connections under the front seats.

 

As you look at the engine, at the right hand end of the cylinder head is the swirl valve actuator, Citroen call it a diaphragm. There is a plastic cup at the end of the rod which breaks and can lead to poor running and possibly some of your problems. It only costs £19 but is a pig to replace. If it has broken, until you can get it replaced, try tying it back to the ball of the lever it has come off.

 

If about 70k miles or more, then it may be the eolys fluid level is low and the particulate filter in the exhaust needs replacing - however, there are posts on here of people who have instead had the filter removed and the car's electronics modified so it runs without these items.

 

For the tyres message, check all the pressures are correct including the spare and they have the pressure sensors installed - if all is ok then most people seem to live with it.

 

If not done already, a good search on this site will help since these are common things.

[Guest Royce]

Hi

 

The car is a 2003 model and has 150,000 miles on it.

 

Any idea what the 'surge' in power when there's an 'ESP not functioning' message indicates as a diagnosis?

 

Thanks

 

R

[paul.h]

There is a good post that may be relevant 'C5 taxi woes' by Miked started 6th Jan 2011 on these pages (probs and fixes) and is worth a read. At 150k miles the car is probably due for its second exhaust filter change and eolys fluid refill.

[Guest Royce]

There is a good post that may be relevant 'C5 taxi woes' by Miked started 6th Jan 2011 on these pages (probs and fixes) and is worth a read. At 150k miles the car is probably due for its second exhaust filter change and eolys fluid refill.

 

Thanks Paul, I'll give that post a look. Being new to this model, I really appreciate all this help.