Dashboard With More Lights Than A Christmas Tree

[BR4IND3AD]

As per my previous posts I gave just been wading through an ongoing problem with the pneumatic suspension which resulted in me taking the car to a local independent Citroën specialist. In case those of you reading haven't read my previous posts, I will recap. For any of you already familiar with my earlier posts, go straight to the third paragraph where I explain my latest issue.

 

The independent Citroën specialist used a diagnostic computer to ascertain that the compressor was faulty but also found that the system was showing faults with the fuse box, ecu and battery. He went on to explain that, while the compressor was definitely in need of attention, the other fault codes could be appearing due to the defective battery and subsequent voltage drop. I went back to the garage where I bought the car and, under the sales warranty, had the compressor replaced. They got that sorted, replaced the battery and also provided me with four new tyres.

 

Earlier today I collected the car, freshly repaired, only to find it displaying all sorts of faults. Automatic handbrake fault, esp fault, depollution sensor fault, suspension fault. I can't be sure whether that's all of them but my question is this...

 

If these faults are logged from before the battery was replaced, would they show up afterwards even if there was nothing wrong?

 

Having driven the car approximately 20 miles today without any physical signs of faults, is it possible that these are residual faults and, if cleared, unlikely to keep appearing or shall I start panicking about another hefty repair bill?

[paul.h]

I do not know if these need clearing with a diagnostic but your Citroen specialist/garage should know and should have the diagnostic equipment to clear the fault codes. Some do not clear such as air bag ones, I think, without a diagnostic but I do not know about the ones you have. If you have a volt meter you could check the battery is fully charged, just in case the one put on is not. Also sometimes odd electrical problems can occur if the battery is disconnected too quickly so the bsi does not have time to shutdown but you would think your specialist/garage would know about this. Also the pump needs a diagnostic to set the suspension to pressurize it before it is put back on the wheels.

 

If you get the fault codes it could be there are some faults that need fixing.

 

I have edited your profile with your car details as your signature to help others and save you mentioning it every time you start a new topic. If you can add the engine and year it will help further.

[BR4IND3AD]

Hi Paul, the battery may not have been fully charged to begin with as a 20 mile run made the faults less inclined to show. They do still come up when the car has been sat for a while, the most common being 'depollution system faulty' 'automatic handbrake faulty' and occasionally the flat suspension warning. This evening I also noticed that the car is going straight into economy mode when the ignition is switched on so perhaps the battery needs taking off and charging overnight.

 

You mentioned something about the battery coming off too quickly and the bsi having issues. I'm unfamiliar with this, could you explain please?

[paul.h]

If you do not have a volt meter I would get one since this will enable you to check the battery and then you will know if it is the problem, rather than guessing. They are cheap enough and are less than £10 in many shops, as an example http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/d190/Electrical+Test+Equipment/sd3348/Digital+Multi+Meter/p11867

 

This is from the C4 common problems topic:

11. Odd electrical problems caused by wrong battery disconnection procedure.

If you need to disconnect the battery and not do a BSI reset procedure, I have found the following has not given me any problems on a 2004 and 2007 C5 and a 2003 C3:

- remove the ignition key from the car

- open the bonnet

- wait a few minutes for the BSI to shut down

- disconnect the battery negative terminal

 

When reconnecting

- ignition key out of the car

- reconnect the battery

- wait a few minutes

- insert the key in the ignition and wait a minute

- turn the key to the first position and wait a minute

- turn the key so the dash lights come on and wait a minute

- start the engine

- take the windows down and up to reset the anti pinch

- reset the clock (and radio on the C3).

 

In the handbook for the 2015 C4 it says to wait at least 2 minutes after switching off the ignition before disconnecting the battery and when reconnecting, to wait at least a minute after switching on the ignition before starting the engine.

[BR4IND3AD]

Hi Paul, I get paid in a couple of days so I think I will be getting a volt meter and maxiscan so that I can give you a better idea of what is happening. I have noticed that the faults seem to follow the same pattern each time:

 

Depollution system faulty

 

Automatic handbrake faulty

 

ESP/ASR system faulty

 

The Depollution system faulty message is always there, and comes on as soon as I start the engine, while the others come on a few minutes later and usually when I have taken the car for a few short runs. I'm pretty sure the passenger side suspension airbag has a slow puncture which is making the compressor work to keep the suspension up initially upon stopping the car. Is there a kind of failsafe that stops non essential components drawing power when charge is low? I'm wondering if it's all connected and a good overnight charge and replacement of the faulty airbag might see the other problems disappearing all together.