C8 Yr2004 Petrol - Battery Drain After 3 Days

[mofazhasan]

Greetings from Malaysia. 

 

Have been using this great car for about 5 years now, after got it with a  good deal from a used car dealer. Recently have problem the battery went dead if not in use for 3 days. Based on youtube, I checked using ammeter and found typical draw around 7.2mA. No change in reading when I start removing all the fuses, until I reached the fuse box under the bonnet. When the BSI fuse was removed, it suddenly dropped to 2.6mA. I guess that might be the culprit.

 

I read a lot about BSI faulty and everything, but have very limited support here in my country. Not sure if it is possible to further diagnose it with Lexia or anything (read it in this forum).. but still need to find it or buy it from UK.

 

And, maybe a result of me messing up with the BSI fuse, my car now have the tailgate lock, all window not working, alarm lock not working and most recent teh catalytic converter faulty... total lost in power.

 

 

Appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

[Simple]

Perform a Procedure to Initialize the Citroen BSI (body control units) every time the battery is disconnected and reconnected.

1. Ensure no diagnostics tool is connected.
2. Put the driver's window down and ensure all equipment are switched off.
3. Ensure all doors are closed, remove key from the ignition and wait for 3 minutes.
4. Disconnect the vehicle battery and wait 15 seconds.
5. Reconnect the vehicle battery and wait a further 10 seconds (do not open doors).
6. Switch on the side lights through the driver's window (you will hear a "bong").
7. Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality.
8. Hold lock button (on key) down for 10 seconds.
9. Remove key, open & close door and test central locking system (above the mirror).
10. Start the engine and complete the system's check and switch lights off.

NOTE: Upon reconnection (soft re-boot), if any vehicle function controlled by the BSi, i.e . interior light is switched on, the internal operation of the BSi has the potential to spike or corrupt its configuration and software program......

 

If the front windows don't close automatically when locking the car after the reset operation, put the ignition on or start the car and open the windows then close them pressing the lever more than one second (if this does not work first time, try it again).

 

By the way, if your battery is old, it may not be holding the charge long enough, especially in cold weather; Eid Mubarak!!

Edited October 2, 2015 by Simple

[paul.h]

7mA current draw when the car is not being used is negligible and will take months to flatten the battery. When you consider the battery may be about 75Ah and to remove 7mA would take about 10000 hours. It is most likely the battery is at the end of its life and needs replacing and if it is still the original then you have been lucky it has lasted 11 years since anything more than about 4 is good.

[mofazhasan]

Hi Guys,

 

Thanks for the reply. 

 

I did a second check, this time with manual by my side.. (my bad for not referring to them earlier).

Found out someone (could be previous workshop) had misplaced one of the BSI fuse. Fuse box under the bonnet should have

2 BSI fuses, but only one was in place. After corrected this, my ammeter reading jump until blow my ammeter fuse.

Furher check, found out the alarm fuse in the BSI causing this. After removed, the ammeter reading drop below 100mA. 

I guess that should be acceptable right?

Now, I left my car lock manually without the alarm fuse. See if it can stay longer.

[Johndouglas]

It is most likely the battery is at the end of its life and needs replacing

Good point! Although my C5 was starting alright after standing a couple of days, the system went into eco mode within five minutes of turning off the engine. I checked the battery voltage after standing overnight and the reading was down to 12.5. As I'm taking the car abroad shortly I decided to change the original battery. I went for a 780 CCA 5yr model, bought online and delivered next morning for £65. After fitting, even after standing a couple of days, eco mode still hasn't cut in.

[mofazhasan]

Additional info.. in my case, I actually using 2 batteries to test. Same DIN66L size. Everytime it went dead, I tried using another one which completely charged. Swap these 2 few times and it keep become dead after 3 days...hence I confirmed not the battery issue.

[Simple]

OK, it looks like you have a leakage some where. it could be a faulty component or improperly insulated or touching wires.

However, the C8 has a known problem. Rain seems to seep into the fuse box causing leakage and misbehavior of some systems, it is with the fuse box that is under the bonnet (driver side on the right hand drive cars, like UK and Ireland).

 

I don't know if this is your case, but you need to open the fuse box, remove the board and clean it with appropriate cleaner. You may find residue that needs to be brushed and sprayed off.

 

Also ensure that the fuse cluster in the battery bay is also clean and isolated.