C3 Radio Replacement = Central Locking Fault

[nannynick]

I was wondering if anyone knew what would cause the central locking to fail to function correctly, having just replaced the radio - with a non-citroen radio? (please note, I didn't fit it, I am not technical, the radio was fitted by large car assessories retailer)

 

For those of you who have replaced the radio in a C4, did you have any trouble with central locking following replacement of the radio? I am wondering if this something unique to the C3, or just to my particular C3, or if it affects all Citrown models, thus asking you Picasso owners.

 

Detail of central locking fault is:

Remote Key can not be used to open doors.

Driver door can be opened using the key, and then if pushing open on the remote the other doors will open.

Pushing lock on the remote, locks all doors.

Pusing open on remote, within a minute of locking, reopens all doors.

I have yet to establish how long the doors need to be locked for, for them not to be reopened by the remote... certainly after an hour, you have to use the Key, not the remote.

 

Many thanks for any help/advice.

[kfk]

Its a common fault that aftermarket radios cause the central locking to operate incorrectly.

 

Short answer is you need to get the radio fitted correctly. Citroen do a short wiring adapter to assist in this.

 

I suggest you return the vehicle to who ever fitted it and get them to resolve the problem.

[connellyg]

did you get this fixed..cos im having the same problem...were do i find the adaptor.

[kfk]

Your Citroen Dealer parts department

[connellyg]

right im new to this game what do i ask for..please describe what the part the part i am needed..why does it do this in the first place...were does the part fit

[kfk]

what you need to ask for is an interface lead that allows you to connect an accessorie radio to your C3.

 

The reason it does this......some do some dont, seems to dependon the radio connected to it....but yours obviously is.

 

whilst you have removed the citroen radio you have to appreciate that you have efectively disconnected a computer from your vehicle. The main computer in your car when turned on searches and checks for computers connected to it.....each computer on your car has 2 data wires that allow it to talk with the main and other computers on the vehicle.

 

Because the main computor on your car doesnt know any different it looks for a radio when turning on, and looks again when turning off.

 

Because its sending messages to something that isnt there it will on occasions become confused.........especially if the 2 data wires are now plugged into and making contact with a different unit.

 

It must be remembered thet the data wires shouldnt have 12volts put down them, they shouldnt be shorted together and shouldnt be put to earth.

[connellyg]

thank you for your help..i am going to ring up today.. however what does this adaptor look like. and how does it plug in. well further to that i have rang them up and they dont seem to know what the adaptor is....

 

STOP PRESSES.

 

i have found this on ebay is this it.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Official-Citroen-C2-...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Marshlad]

Hi - kfk is fundamentally correct.....the reason why a non-Citroen radio head unit will upset the main "computer" (the bit that controls the multi-plex wiring in the car - which is like a USB system on a pc) is that Citroen very thoughtfully twist (or reverse) a pair of data carrying wires within the connectors to the radio. I know this from bitter experiemce (2002 Y reg Xsara with multiplex), when I just tested a Blaupunkt CD radio head for a few seconds. I put the Citrioen original radio back in the car.... when I drove off to work in the morning, I found that I had no "relay" indicator arrows working on the dash panel (and no "sound"). The central-locking confirmation flash from the indicators also had stoped working (although the car still locked). Foolishly looked for fuses, relays etc. Eventually took the car to Citroen, and they did all they could to re-programme the electronics, but the only way to get the indicator "repeaters" to work again (MOT issue and obviously a safety issue whilst driving) was to shell out for a complete new dash instrument panel (which includes some subsidiary electronics). Apparently, because these data wires are "twisted" (and only Citroen do this according to the garage) I had sent a 12v signal up a wire that shouldn't have carried a voltage. Cost about £250 AND the indicators still do not light up on activating remote locking - this would cost another £300! Also the garage informed me that loads of C2's come in for similar work, when owners do DIY up-grades to radios - although on the C2, it's the locking that fails. Thanks Citroen.

[Mike5483]

You cant really blame Citroen.

 

If this is there way oif doing things then that is something that someone wanting to add an aftermarket stereo should find out and take into account.

 

Nothing should be taken for granted when doing this sort of thing.

 

The only time Citroen can be blamed is if there is a standard that they are not adhereing to and I cant see that this would be the case.

[Guest CitTone]

As I am about to add an aftermarket stereo to the wife's C3(53 reg Exclusive), I hope someone can say authoritatively if they have had any problems with this setup :

 

JVC KD-G631 head with steering control

Connects2 CTSCT002 adapter

 

When we bought the car, it had a weird lighting fault that meant that the headlights were impossible to switch off. I discovered that the CD part of the original stereo was not working, so tried the above in its place and it appeared to work fine, but had to remove it so that the dealer could fix the lighting fault (his electrician wouldn't touch the car if it was not "standard")

 

Since this fix has involved refurbing the BSI, I don't want to risk spiking it when I go to fit the JVC, so...

 

1. Should I only remove & refit with the battery disconnected to be absolutely safe?

2. Does anyone know if the Connects2 adapter effectively "solves" the problems that people seem to get frequently when fitting aftermarket heads directly to the harness (due apparently to the not-exactly-ISO-standard cabling)?

[Guest CitTone]

Since no replies appeared to be forthcoming, I went ahead and did it anyway, following what few instructions came with the Connects2 adapters.

 

What I did, however was to wait some time after getting into the car, key out of the ignition, for the central panel in the speedo to switch off AND THEN wait about another minute or so until I heard a relay switch behind the glovebox. I suspect that this is the point at which the BSI powers-down.

 

On attaching the stereo, power appears to be applied immediately, which momentarily took me aback - but this should be the case, as a permanent live is needed to maintain presets.

 

As far as I am able to tell, the engine, lights, central locking etc. are all still operating per spec.

 

All of which is just as well, as I discovered that the OEM stereo is knackered - a previous owner has had it apart at some point, possibly to retrieve a stuck CD, and misplaced screws, unhooked bits of the mechanism, bent some levers....

[Guest liamo]

Hi CitTone

 

Just want to double check with yourself as you appear to have solved your problem. I have the exact same issue and as this is my first time ever to fit a radio I am somewhat concerned that my central locking is no longer working.

So am I correct from what I read from your post that the Connects2 CTSCT002 adapter solves this?

 

many thanks

 

-Liam

Citroen C3 2004 Hatchback

[Guest CitTone]

 

So am I correct from what I read from your post that the Connects2 CTSCT002 adapter solves this?

 

Basically - yes, as it appears to correct the uncommon wiring of the Citroen connectors - but I also needed the steering adapter which is a separate lead that goes to the 3.5mm jack on the rear of the head. I guess that the CTSCT002 will work without it, but you won't get stalk control back.

[madtheswine99]

Basically - yes, as it appears to correct the uncommon wiring of the Citroen connectors - but I also needed the steering adapter which is a separate lead that goes to the 3.5mm jack on the rear of the head. I guess that the CTSCT002 will work without it, but you won't get stalk control back.

 

I have just bought this part and now there is no power to the cd player, doing my head in now.Contacted Connect2 and they recommended the part number CTSCT003, but after looking it up it says its for a 2006+ model and mine is 2003.Seem to be going nowhere at the minute.Talked to a pal at Halfords and he said all Citroens are a nightmare for aftermarket radio's, his advice dont change it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[madtheswine99]

I have just bought this part and now there is no power to the cd player, doing my head in now.Contacted Connect2 and they recommended the part number CTSCT003, but after looking it up it says its for a 2006+ model and mine is 2003.Seem to be going nowhere at the minute.Talked to a pal at Halfords and he said all Citroens are a nightmare for aftermarket radio's, his advice dont change it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Dont bother with the adapter as i have just sorted mine for the total cost of 40p.I did buy the CT20CT02 and it didnt work,still had similar problems.The way around this was to buy two cable connectors and swop the red and yellow wires around and now the stereo works great,no problems with the central locking.The only thing that has changed is the head up display doesnt work although still shows the outside temp,and i have to switch off the radio on the head unit when i get out of the car,no big deal there though.

 

Overall i am happy and i am still waiting for connect2 to get back to me after numerous e-mails and photo's of the head unit being sent.

 

(had to re-register due to issues)

[kfk]

Welcome back..... sorry you had to re-register