Citroen Dispatch 2010 Electricals – A Common Problem

[Grabit]

OK, so this is my daughters van & was left on her drive unused after they purchased a 2^nd VW Crafter. The Dispatch has acquired some electrical problems. Lights & wipers permanently on when engine running & lights come on when they feel like it when the van is off & locked. Everything pointed to the BSI unit. Tried several times to do the suggested reboot but with no change.

 

I took it out & found no obvious problems, I contacted BBA Reman & then sent it to them for repair – they said it needed “virginising†& after refitting would need coding by Citroen. BBA provided a good, quick service but after refitting & towing to Citroen for coding find the same faults remain. Citroen say its likely to need the under-bonnet fuse box replacing but then provided a written quote for the BSi unit (P/N 1609999180 ANC control box ). TBH I don’t think they have a clue & cure by trial & error at my expense?

Further research suggests the under-bonnet fuse box ( 9666700280 ) can cause similar symptoms often due to water ingress but does not need coding if replaced. Any suggestions appreciated – Van runs & drives perfectly.

 

To be honest its a nice van & only around 61,000 miles.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

If not done, I would contact BBA for their comments since they have fixed your bsi but it is not working.

 

The lights and wipers use the comms 2000 switch unit under the steering wheel, so possibly it is a problem with that. Does it have a rain sensor at the top of the windscreen that allows auto wipers and lights - if so it could be faulty or need a good clean. This is from the C3 Common Problems topic to reset the comms unit and may be worth a try:

27. Comms 2000 unit reset method to fix wipers/washers not working.

This topic by vectratot includes a method to reset the comms 2000 unit after the wipers and washers stopped working http://www.citroen-o...ing/#entry82270

 

 

Was the van jump started to get it going since this can damage the bsi. This is from the C3 Common Problems topic:

21. Odd electrical problems after jump starting another car.

This occurred on a Peugeot 406 but could apply to a Citroen. When jump starting another car a power spike caused the BSI software to become corrupt and the headlights would come on after the car was switched off and locked, causing the battery to go flat. It was possible to reprogramme another BSI to use but this may not always be the case, requiring a new BSI to be needed.

The problem is when you are jump starting, the regulator on the running (good) car senses a drain on itself and allows the regulator to put out more power to maintain 14.4v and if you just pull the jump lead off you are causing a power surge until the regulator adjusts itself. 9 out of 10 times it is fine but the 406 customer was just unlucky.

 

To help avoid this possibility when jump starting it is recommended to

 

- connect jump leads making sure you put the negative lead onto the engine of the flat car

- once the flat car is started do not take the leads off

- go into the good car and switch on the rear demister, headlights and foglights.

- then remove the jump leads

- now switch the headlight and demisters off one at a time.

 

This allows the regulator to catch up and regulate the power output. We are not talking about seconds here, its actually miliseconds for it to alter itself but its long enough to fry things.