Citroen C5 Battery Draining - 2006

[bobdav1411]

My battery has started draining overnight - alternator is charging 14.7 - I had 12.3 volts on battery last night and it is down to 11.8 this morning and the car wouldn't start.  Can anyone help - something is obviously draining the battery and I'm at a loss.  Does anyone have the Lexia Diagnostic Tool that would be prepared to assist?  I'm in Fife, Scotland but prepared to travel within reason.

 

Regards

Bob Davies

[Johndouglas]

What age is the battery? Maybe it's reached the end of its life. Your voltage at 12.3 isn't good for starting. It should be 12.7 Also by the time you've got into your car in the morning the suspension pump has already taken a bit of voltage.

[bobdav1411]

Hi Johndouglas,

 

Thanks for your quick response to my post. An original battery is fitted with a sticker stating " Use by 07 unless fully charged " I had better change it. Could you recommend any particular battery as I don't posses an owners manual the car is only used for school runs and local journeys. Perhaps the constant start/stops have contributed to the battery's demise.By the way branches of Europarts and TMS are only half a mile away.

[bobdav1411]

Hi Johndouglas,

 

Not sure if you got my reply. the car still has he original battery.

[Johndouglas]

the car still has he original battery.

Good lord! It has done well. It doesn't owe you anything. If you have a ECP nearby these batteries will fit http://www.eurocarparts.com/car-battery Prices vary with the length of guarantee. Swopping the battery isn't too difficult but on Citroens & Peugeots there's a correct method. If it isn't carried out properly there's a chance that some electrical functions may not work correctly. Most important that you get the terminals the correct way round. If you have doubts about doing it correctly go to somewhere like Halfords where they'll fit it for you.

 

Change the battery using this method:-

Put the driver's window down, lift the bonnet and ensure all equipment is switched off.

Ensure all doors are closed and remove key from the ignition.

Wait for 3 minutes, disconnect the vehicle battery and remove it.

Reconnect the battery, wait a further 10 seconds (do not open doors.).

Switch on the side lights through the driver's window.

Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality.

Hold lock button on key down for 10 seconds.

Remove key open & close door test central locking system.

Start the engine and complete the system's check.

Failure to follow this procedure could result in incorrect operation of many BSI related items.

[bobdav1411]

Good Morning Johndouglas

 

I will be on my way to ECP as soon as they open and will pick up a new battery. Having read some advice from the club I shall get a battery with higher cold crank amps for the Fife weather it has to endure.I have printed your advice for installation and have resorted to learning it parrot fashion (as if I were learning my time's tables) so as not to ruin the computer thing. Finally, where might I get my audio code should it be lost in the exchange process as I have no manuals. I thank you for your time and effort guiding me during my hour of need.

 

Kind regards

 

Bob.

[Johndouglas]

You don't need a radio code.   It's recognised by the computer.   Your difficulty would only arise if you wanted to fit a different one.

[bobdav1411]

Many thanks for that.

[Randombloke]

Worth checking also that a back up battery in the alarm has not come to the end of its life and is draining the main battery...

[bobdav1411]

Will do that next. thanks

[bobdav1411]

Well Johndouglas

 

Got the battery from my local ECP and using a discount code I found online managed to get £20 off. Following your guide to the letter my car is running better than it has ever been. Randombloke advised me to check the alarm battery is not draining the main one, so that will be my next exercise. Thank's to you both. 

[Johndouglas]

Nice to hear of a good result.   Thanks for reporting back - Not every one does.... :rolleyes: