Estate Rear Screen

[Graham Lodge]

Hi Guys, Does anyone know the problem with the rear screen not opening on my 2002 estate v6 auto- a friend of mine has just bought a diesel estate and he has the same problem, his is a 2004 model.-is this a common fault? regards Graham

[Johndouglas]

On early models it's a well-known fault. When I got my C5, I asked about it and the saleman assured me the fault was cured. (But then he would, wouldn't he. For a DIY cure, go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/C5-L/ You'll need to register and then look in the files section.

[citroeneddie]

I had the same problem with my new look 2005 C5 - it hasn't been cured and required replacement under warranty due to the failure of the earthing strip located in the screen.

[eaabos]

You can easily repair this problem yourself.

All you need is a little bit of wire, 30 minutes of patience and some duct-tape.

 

First of all you'll have to open the closed window.

This can be done manually by removing the cover inside the rear door. Then you can see a piston which opens the lock of the rear window. MOve the piston upwards ( towards the roof ) and the rear window will pop open.

 

Then you'll see ( with the window opened) two covers - one top-middle and one low-left. Remove the cover in the top-middle location and you will see two connection point.

 

Weld one end of the piece of wire to the lowest connection point ( OPENED WINDOW !)

The piece of wire goes to the other connection point on the low-left of the windows (lead the wire over the black part of the screen on the left).

At the low-left location you WONT have to remove the cover !!

When you look closely you will find several wires coming out off the lower-left connection. One of them is red-yellow colored. This wire you can cut through so it will have enough length to connect to the other end of your own piece of wire.

Weld it together and then put some duct-tape over your piece of wire so it will stay in place. Put all the covers back and your rear window is fixed !!

 

On request I can send some pictures of a clean stripped rear window so you will see exactly what to do.

 

P.S. You don't have to strip the whole window as in the pictures to do this repair !!. Send me an email if you want the photo's.

 

Good luck to you all.

[Randombloke]

Thanks for the info, eaabos.

 

I went out to look at my own vehicle after your suggestions. They were very helpful and as you say, the job is not as big as it appears on the Yahoo file download.

 

However, some minor issues:

1. Bottom left cover: I could not get this off. It did not make sense to force it so I took the top cover off which holds the high level brake light. It is easy to break the clips that hold this in place after all the screws are removed. When I got the car I bought a selection of trim clips as I anticipated doing this job and replacing the aerial. Just as well, I broke one clip removing the fitting
   
2. Single or double wire? I would run a twin cable as I think if one printed circuit has failed, the other one will soon. The ground side of my switch was still working, but I soldered onto that and the control side with a twin cable and taped it in place.
   
3. It may not be necessary to remove the cover on the lower inner boot completely, just enough to get your hand in to push the solenoid up.
   

Meta 4 asked:

 

Recently bought an '01 plate C5 estate. Only niggle is the rear window wont open! I guess the switch is under the rubber cover below the wiper assembly - if not, let me know!

 

The switch is under the rubber cover under the wiper assembly, but some dealers asked me what the hell I thought I was doing, and said it wasn't possible when I tried to open the glass part of the tailgate.

 

Before doing the repair, stick a meter across the two solder pads in the rear tailgate where the button connects and just make sure a short appears across them when you push the button.

 

If that *is* the switch, is it mechanical or electrical? And can I get to anything by removing the inside cover of the tailgate, or is this a dealer-only job?

 

The switch is simply a short which triggers a solenoid in the other (lower half) of the tailgate.

 

Removing most or all of the 18 small poppers that hold the inside tailgate cover will allow you to open the glass part, as I've mentioned above.

 

I use this car for hang gliding and paragliding and for hang gliding it is paramount that the rear glass opens by itself otherwise there is plenty of hassle to be had stowing small items in the boot with the hang glider on the roof.

[smokescreen]

I use this car for hang gliding and paragliding and for hang gliding it is paramount that the rear glass opens by itself otherwise there is plenty of hassle to be had stowing small items in the boot with the hang glider on the roof.

 

What's the glide ratio of your C5 after launching??????

 

You go careful.

 

Smokescreen

[DAVE5269]

If you still have any photos to help i would'nt mind them.

 

 

 

 

You can easily repair this problem yourself.

All you need is a little bit of wire, 30 minutes of patience and some duct-tape.

 

First of all you'll have to open the closed window.

This can be done manually by removing the cover inside the rear door. Then you can see a piston which opens the lock of the rear window. MOve the piston upwards ( towards the roof ) and the rear window will pop open.

 

Then you'll see ( with the window opened) two covers - one top-middle and one low-left. Remove the cover in the top-middle location and you will see two connection point.

 

Weld one end of the piece of wire to the lowest connection point ( OPENED WINDOW !)

The piece of wire goes to the other connection point on the low-left of the windows (lead the wire over the black part of the screen on the left).

At the low-left location you WONT have to remove the cover !!

When you look closely you will find several wires coming out off the lower-left connection. One of them is red-yellow colored. This wire you can cut through so it will have enough length to connect to the other end of your own piece of wire.

Weld it together and then put some duct-tape over your piece of wire so it will stay in place. Put all the covers back and your rear window is fixed !!

 

On request I can send some pictures of a clean stripped rear window so you will see exactly what to do.

 

P.S. You don't have to strip the whole window as in the pictures to do this repair !!. Send me an email if you want the photo's.

 

Good luck to you all.

[Guest camper]

You can easily repair this problem yourself.

All you need is a little bit of wire, 30 minutes of patience and some duct-tape.

 

First of all you'll have to open the closed window.

This can be done manually by removing the cover inside the rear door. Then you can see a piston which opens the lock of the rear window. MOve the piston upwards ( towards the roof ) and the rear window will pop open.

 

Then you'll see ( with the window opened) two covers - one top-middle and one low-left. Remove the cover in the top-middle location and you will see two connection point.

 

Weld one end of the piece of wire to the lowest connection point ( OPENED WINDOW !)

The piece of wire goes to the other connection point on the low-left of the windows (lead the wire over the black part of the screen on the left).

At the low-left location you WONT have to remove the cover !!

When you look closely you will find several wires coming out off the lower-left connection. One of them is red-yellow colored. This wire you can cut through so it will have enough length to connect to the other end of your own piece of wire.

Weld it together and then put some duct-tape over your piece of wire so it will stay in place. Put all the covers back and your rear window is fixed !!

 

On request I can send some pictures of a clean stripped rear window so you will see exactly what to do.

 

P.S. You don't have to strip the whole window as in the pictures to do this repair !!. Send me an email if you want the photo's.

 

Good luck to you all.

 

Hi,

 

Can you please forward me the infomation on how to repair my rear window (Photo's ect)

 

Kind Regards

 

Camper

[Randombloke]

Hi,

 

Can you please forward me the infomation on how to repair my rear window (Photo's ect)

 

The link to the instructions is given in the first reply in this thread. Here is it again:

 

C5 Yahoo group instructions for fixing rear window

 

If you can't be bothered to join the group, PM me with an e-mail address and I'll send them to you as an attachment.

[DaveHerns]

I've got mine all stripped out

 

I appear to have continuity through the switch and the solenoid , I'm getting a voltage of about 5 on the switch

Does this run on less than 12 volts and is the switch on the live side or earth return of the solenoid ?

 

My lock appears able to get jammed if you close it with the glass raised ,but I can close the window manually and release it by operating the solenoid by hand

 

Any ideas ?

[cliff hanger]

I've got mine all stripped out

 

I appear to have continuity through the switch and the solenoid , I'm getting a voltage of about 5 on the switch

Does this run on less than 12 volts and is the switch on the live side or earth return of the solenoid ?

 

My lock appears able to get jammed if you close it with the glass raised ,but I can close the window manually and release it by operating the solenoid by hand

 

Any ideas ?

I think it needs the full 12 volts. I followed the instructions suggested by Eric some time ago but instead of using the flat wiring he used, I used a length of wire I happened to have handy. I then just taped it down to the window. It's not as neat as Eric's but it works and the window doesn't leak. It saved me £300 that I was quoted by my local dealer.

[DaveHerns]

I think it needs the full 12 volts. I followed the instructions suggested by Eric some time ago but instead of using the flat wiring he used, I used a length of wire I happened to have handy. I then just taped it down to the window. It's not as neat as Eric's but it works and the window doesn't leak. It saved me £300 that I was quoted by my local dealer.

I think I'm losing volts somewhere . There's 3 wires at the top of the screen under the spoiler .Thick red is power to the HRW , black is a common earth return , yellow ( I think the other one is ) is power to the lock

Between red and black with HRW I get 14 volts with HRW on

Between yellow and black I'm getting about 5 volts

Any ideas ?

 

Having said that I never used the opening window feature so it's no big deal

[Randombloke]

Between yellow and black I'm getting about 5 volts

Any ideas ?

 

I thought that the idea was that the yellow wire got shorted to earth, energising the lock and undoing it.

 

I could be wrong.

 

With the small plastic cover off the back of the button, check it gives a short when pressed.

 

Then measure resistance to the thin wires from both sides of the button.

 

Be also worth measuring from the button or where you disconnect at the top back to the lock itself.

[DaveHerns]

I thought that the idea was that the yellow wire got shorted to earth, energising the lock and undoing it.

 

I could be wrong.

 

With the small plastic cover off the back of the button, check it gives a short when pressed.

 

Then measure resistance to the thin wires from both sides of the button.

 

Be also worth measuring from the button or where you disconnect at the top back to the lock itself.

If the yellow is the earth return .where does the lock get it's 12v supply ?

[DaveHerns]

Took car into main dealer today before buying it off leasing Co. Verdict is that it needs a new rear screen @£500 or a repair kit @£200 I asked why I was only getting 7 volts on the feed wire and they say the repair kit includes a repair for this .In that case why does it need a new screen ? I think they are pulling my chain !

 

Seems to me the yellow wire is live when the tailgate window should be openable - ie car unlocked and dead when car is locked so window can't be opened .Is this correct ? Power goes through switch and then lock motor and then to earth by thick black wire ? Could it be it operates on 7 rather than 12 volts or have I got a voltage drop in the supply ?

 

Seems I may as well by pass printed circuit in the glass with the "wire and black tape " method and see what happens

Ant other ideas ?

[techbod]

yellow would be a switched live so only live when the ignition is on,

 

the printed circuit is for heated screen and aerial,

 

check the wiring where the body joins the door as this part tends to crack and short out due to opening and shutting the door ( its covered by rubber belows so cant be seen and very common with this issue ) not everything gets 12v because the relays drop the voltage for obvious reasons like fires due to over heating and short circuits,

 

I know it sounds silly but that's what fuses and relays do.

[Randombloke]

Seems I may as well by pass printed circuit in the glass with the "wire and black tape " method and see what happens

Any other ideas ?

 

Hi Dave,

 

I did the wire and black tape fix in early 2007. It is still working. That is the way I would do it.

 

As a total cynic I am going to guess that the "repair kit" is simply another stick on printed circuit to attach to the glass, and is £25 notes of parts for £250.

 

If you cannot find the detailed document on the Yahoo Group or do not have it for any reason, then send a mail to c5 at steveu dot org and I will forward it to you.

 

If the repair does not work it has cost you nothing in parts and about 30 minutes in labour.

 

Good luck, post back with results.

 

The one thing I would be sure to do is to test the button for making a short across the two pads to the rear of it when it is pressed. I have had the button fail.......

[DaveHerns]

Hi

 

Had to pay the leasing Co for the car this week so now it's mine but this fault is covered by the contract so I'll get it done to have all toys working

 

Leasing Co want Citroen to pay as a late warranty claim ( it 3 years 3 months old ) so I could end up with a new screen !!!!! Ridiculous .If I could have got £150 off the price I'd have taken a chance and done the "wire and tape "repair and hoped for the best

[DaveHerns]

Hi

 

Had to pay the leasing Co for the car this week so now it's mine but this fault is covered by the contract so I'll get it done to have all toys working

 

Leasing Co want Citroen to pay as a late warranty claim ( it 3 years 3 months old ) so I could end up with a new screen !!!!! Ridiculous .If I could have got £150 off the price I'd have taken a chance and done the "wire and tape "repair and hoped for the best

Update -

 

Been waiting for 4 weeks nearly for a decision as to whether leasing Co or Citroen will pay ...

Garage tell me they can't phone Citroen to chase , Citroen say I shouldn't have been told to phone them, leasing Co say they will sort , but NO ONE DOES !!!!

Pathetic ........

[DaveHerns]

Update -

 

Been waiting for 4 weeks nearly for a decision as to whether leasing Co or Citroen will pay ...

Garage tell me they can't phone Citroen to chase , Citroen say I shouldn't have been told to phone them, leasing Co say they will sort , but NO ONE DOES !!!!

Pathetic ........

Phoned leasing Co this AM , they say it's up to garage to chase , Garage say they can't ....... I get the impression they are p*ss*ng me about till I give up so I got out my soldering iron, a bit of wire and some Duck tape and did it myself for £zero .

 

I can't say don't got to this Citroen dealer anymore as they now sell Kias ( there's a clue there ) They claim to be an authorised repairer and to be able to do warranty work , but I wouldn't risk it

[Hartmut]

eaabos did a good explanation on what is needed to get the window switch working again.

The yahoo owners club as well as Citroen itself reports an overly complicated procedure.

 

All you need is to open up the rear door cover that much that you can reach the actuator for the window to open.

just pop out a few plugs and you can reach in there.http://www.ercoupe.info/citroen/IMG_1149.JPG

Pull up or down on the rubber boot until the window pops open.

 

With the window open you will need to remove only one cover. Slow and careful. So nothing breaks. A screwdriver is of help here.

http://www.ercoupe.info/citroen/IMG_1146.JPG

 

Check the switch between the two contacts under the foam. Pressing the switch should give a solid circuit between both wires.

Solder wire to the lower solder point.

http://www.ercoupe.info/citroen/IMG_1144.JPG

 

Solder the other end of the wire to the cable found on the left hinge. It is the thinner red/yellow wire.

http://www.ercoupe.info/citroen/IMG_1145.JPG

 

 

Tape cable to the window. Done

[DaveHerns]

Pleased to report that my repair on mine is still working

Only problem was finding tape to stick the wire to the glass - I used sticky aluminium tape in the end .Duct tape didn't last

[gilern]

Citroen do a "kit" to repair this - a wire and a couple of heat shrink connectors. My local dealer had no idea of this and he was only prepared to look when I gave him a part number I'd managed to find. It was a grand total of about £16 including VAT and took about 40 minutes to fit.

[DaveHerns]

Citroen do a "kit" to repair this - a wire and a couple of heat shrink connectors. My local dealer had no idea of this and he was only prepared to look when I gave him a part number I'd managed to find. It was a grand total of about £16 including VAT and took about 40 minutes to fit.

What sort of tape do Citroen provide to stick the wire to the glass ?

[gilern]

It was actually a properly formed adhesive section profiled to the screen edge and 2 to 3 inches along top and bottom. I think from memory it was by 3M but I may be wrong on that.

 

I cleaned up the surface first and it stuck down without any problem and has been there ever since.