Weird Central Locking Problem

[immy]

Hi all. I bought a Citroen C5 2.0 HDI Exclusive (2003) a couple of weeks ago. It was fine until a week later when i got it serviced and had timing belt and waterpump done. When i got it back the service light was on and message showing was `airbag fault` and the other thing i noticed was a problem with central locking. When i bought it and sat inside and pressed lock/unlock button on dash you could hear the clonking noise and doors lock/unlock etc. But after i got it back, when i press lock/unlock button there is no noise that doors have locked but the red light shows on button when doors are locked but they can be opened from outside?? Whereas before they could not be opened from outside. The key fob works fine, when i lock i can hear noise and all doors lock and unlock properly. The only other thing mechanic mentioned was he had to change a fuse because 1 of the rear lights was out. Any clues? Regards

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Are the SERVICE light and air bag lights still showing ?

 

The air bag light could be a loose connector under a seat if the mechanic has moved one of the seats. If you do try the connectors it is best to make sure the ignition key is not in the car and disconnect the battery to avoid any risk of an air bag going off. Follow the battery disconnect/reconnect procedure in the Technical section Common Problems post. If it is not this then you will need a diagnostic check to determine the fault.

 

The Service light could be anything such as a low battery voltage, front brake wear indicators - is there a warning message on the dash as well ? A look in your handbook may list possible causes.

 

When the doors are locked on our car the button flashes red. With the engine running if you hold the dash button down does it initiate auto locking when moving which would show if the button is working ? If the doors can be opened from the outside the doors have not locked. In the handbook for our 2007 C5 it says the light flashes when the vehicle is locked and engine stopped, it illuminates if the ignition is on with the vehicle locked, it goes out when the vehicle is unlocked and the dash button does not work if the car is locked using the remote or the key.

[paul.h]

The Haynes wiring diagram showing the dash locking switch shows it has a green/yellow earth wire and 3 wires from the dash fusebox (bsi) - a white one and an orange one are shown going to diodes in the switch so probably the red lights, a white one numbered 625 being the switch wire and using the switch simply puts this to the earth wire. If you can access the switch connector, you could identify this wire and connect across it to the earth one and thus see if the car locks indicating a switch fault. Haynes shows to remove the switch, lever up its plastic surround and then use screwdrivers top and bottom of the switch to lever it out.

[immy]

Thanks for the replies Paul. Much appreciated. I will try what you have said.

Just to confirm about airbag fault, there is no airbag light on, only the service light is on and a message appears in console display `airbag fault`.

I will try connectors under seat but only problem is with it being Exclusive model the seats are electric and there is also a CD changer under driver seat so there are wires galore.

[immy]

Forgot to mention answer to your other questions. Yes the service light is still showing. There is no warning about brake pads and they all have plenty of life in them.

I tried what someone mentioned in this forum. I did a service interval reset, holding trip button then switching ignition on for 10 seconds. Before, the service light stayed on from when i switched car on but after service interval reset when i start car the service light goes off as normal with all other lights but comes on again after about 2 or 3 seconds?

[qman3428]

Sounds like in order to do the work they disconnected the battery and didn't follow the correct reconnection protocol

Disconnect the battery and follow the connection procedure on this site to see if it resets everything.

[paul.h]

Another question - does the air bag light work when the ignition is first turned on and then go off, showing the bulb is ok ? If there is a fault with the air bag system there is a chance it would not work in the event of a crash and this could also affect an insurance claim.

 

Also worth checking the engine oil level is correct (this will show on the dash but if too low or too high it may need adjusting) and the coolant level - just trying to think of other things that your mechanic will have touched in case the problem is not to do with the air bag system.

[immy]

I have tried battery reconnection procedure but no luck. The airbag light is fine, comes on when ignition switched on then goes out. Engine oil and water levels ok.

Should i try bsi reset?

I could get it checked on computer from a garage to check for fault codes etc but i don`t want to waste money because most dummies don`t know how to use their equipment properly.

Anyone know of a reliable place where they know how to use the equipment, in Manchester. I am not far from city centre.

 

,

[paul.h]

If you are paying, then probably a Citroen dealer using the correct diagnostic equipment may be the best option. Anything other than a dealer type Lexia may not be up to the job. The service manager may also give a clue what could be wrong before agreeing to the check. At the same time it will also be able to check the door locking and you could order any parts. If they are faults caused by the previous mechanic and you are now incurring extra costs, then it may have been cost effective to use a Citroen garage for the service.

[immy]

Thanks for all advice and replies. When i get time i will take to Citroen dealer for diagnostic.