C5 - Flickering Lights

[Ganpixie]

Hi Guys,

new to this forum but owned my C5 2.0 HDi 110 VTR 5-door hatch Automatic for coming up to three years.

 

Runs absolutely flawlessly with or without the caravan on the back returning average of 46.4 mpg solo and 35.4 mpg towing.

 

Now, having said all that I do have a query and an irritation that really needs to be scratched!

 

Driving at night - in the dark - with headlights on dipped-beam the lights appear to "flicker" as if the main beam is coming on then going off again! At the moment of "flicker" the main beam indicator does NOT light-up.

 

At each of the two services (so far) I have raised the matter.

The first one - "can't replicate the fault".

Second time when booking in at reception - "there's a small problem with the headlights" Oh, "flickering?" from the receptionist! Ah, at last, I thought. So it's a known problem then? Yes but Citroen don't know what it is!!!

 

As it is coming close to the third service and first MOT (and end of three year warranty) - does anybody else have this "flickering" and have you found a cure for it???

 

All comments and suggestions welcome!

 

York, UK.

[shallishanti?]

How often? Like a regular beat? On - off -on - off? Or just a flicker now and then?

 

It's fairly well documented that the lights flicker when the hydraulic pump cuts in.

[Ganpixie]

How often? Like a regular beat? On - off -on - off? Or just a flicker now and then?

 

It's fairly well documented that the lights flicker when the hydraulic pump cuts in.

 

 

No, it's an intermittent thing!

 

Normal then "extra bright" then normal again. Fortunately, they never go OFF!

 

Thanks for your interest anyway.

[shallishanti?]

That sounds like the hydraulic pump cutting in and out to me. C'est normal.

[paul.h]

Does it do it if you get in and out of the car with the lights on and close the door ? Then you will hear the pump as the car levels itself and see the lights.

[Ganpixie]

Does it do it if you get in and out of the car with the lights on and close the door ? Then you will hear the pump as the car levels itself and see the lights.

 

 

Will try this "test" next time out in the dark.

(Retired and don't get out much <GGG>)

 

Amazing situation to contemplate - the adaptive suspension (hyd. pumnp) causing the electrical "surge" to make the lights brighter!!!

 

What will these French designers think of next???

 

Will advise when "tested.

 

Thanks, Guys.

[paul.h]

Thinking a bit more about this, the pump is more likely to make the lights less bright as it takes power from the battery and drops the voltage. Something that makes the lights brighter must mean a higher voltage (or main beam bulbs lighting ?), possibly a poor connection improving over a bump, or an alternator voltage regulator problem. Try measuring the battery voltage with and without the engine running. Without should be about 12½ volts and with about 14 volts - much more than 14 indicates an alternator problem.

[Ganpixie]

Thinking a bit more about this, the pump is more likely to make the lights less bright as it takes power from the battery and drops the voltage. Something that makes the lights brighter must mean a higher voltage (or main beam bulbs lighting ?), possibly a poor connection improving over a bump, or an alternator voltage regulator problem. Try measuring the battery voltage with and without the engine running. Without should be about 12½ volts and with about 14 volts - much more than 14 indicates an alternator problem.

 

 

Ooops!

[Randombloke]

Ooops!

 

Does your VTR have a gauge for the battery voltage? If so, what does it say?

 

Also, have you got a loose filament in the headlight bulb(s)? If so, expect the bulb to blow soon.

 

Are the headlight washers being set off when you are driving?

 

Could it be the headlight levelling?

[Ganpixie]

Does your VTR have a gauge for the battery voltage? If so, what does it say?

 

Also, have you got a loose filament in the headlight bulb(s)? If so, expect the bulb to blow soon.

 

Are the headlight washers being set off when you are driving?

 

Could it be the headlight levelling?

 

1 - Don't have gauge for battery voltage

2 - No loose filaments - checked that first!

3 - Don't have headlight washers

4 - Don't think so - this happens driving along straight, level roads without any noticeable bumps and lumps!

 

I'm trying to get hold of a "meter" to check the voltage across the battery as suggested previously.

 

Thanks for your interest.

[shallishanti?]

Are these lights Halogen or Xenon?

 

Is the A/C running?

[Randombloke]

I'm trying to get hold of a "meter" to check the voltage across the battery as suggested previously.

 

You can buy voltmeters that plug into the cigarette lighter. They give a digital readout. That might give a clue. You can then see what the battery voltage is all the time.

 

Have you checked the pos and neg straps are in good condition? I replaced these on my BX after verifying that there was nearly a volt more across the battery than was appearing on the cig lighter socket. This solved the problem. However, if you get good cranking on starting, disregard this suggestion.

[Ganpixie]

Are these lights Halogen or Xenon?

 

Is the A/C running?

 

"Ordinary" lights - not the "blue" expensive variety.

 

No AirCon running.

[Ganpixie]

You can buy voltmeters that plug into the cigarette lighter. They give a digital readout. That might give a clue. You can then see what the battery voltage is all the time.

 

Have you checked the pos and neg straps are in good condition? I replaced these on my BX after verifying that there was nearly a volt more across the battery than was appearing on the cig lighter socket. This solved the problem. However, if you get good cranking on starting, disregard this suggestion.

 

Battery straps perfect.............

Excellent "cranking" - fires-up instantly.

[Guest BobC]

Battery straps perfect.............

Excellent "cranking" - fires-up instantly.

 

Hi all,

 

Just joined this group and came across this thread.

 

I have a 55 reg C5 1.6HDi that I've had from new (6 miles on the clock) and it has had this problem from day one.

 

The headlights very occassionally flicker quite randomly. On a long journey it may do it 2 or 3 times in the middle of the journey then never again.

 

So I can't see it being the hydraulic pump or anything else that may be loading the electrical system. It's just far too random. And it doesn't do it at startup when the pump is whirring away.

 

I also doubt it's anything worn, as mine has done it from very brand new.

 

I've never queried it at a service (now done 25k miles) as it is so intermittent I was sure I'd get a "never went wrong when we had it" sort of response.

 

The earlier comment reported from a main dealer that it's a known problem, but they don't know what it is, sounds about right to me!

 

To be honest I'm just glad I've found someone else with the same problem and it isn't just me or my car. Doubt it'll ever get fixed unless Citroen finally discover what it is, as it's soooooo sooooooo intermittent.

 

BobC

[Ganpixie]

Hi all,

 

Just joined this group and came across this thread.

 

I have a 55 reg C5 1.6HDi that I've had from new (6 miles on the clock) and it has had this problem from day one.

 

The headlights very occassionally flicker quite randomly. On a long journey it may do it 2 or 3 times in the middle of the journey then never again.

 

So I can't see it being the hydraulic pump or anything else that may be loading the electrical system. It's just far too random. And it doesn't do it at startup when the pump is whirring away.

 

I also doubt it's anything worn, as mine has done it from very brand new.

 

I've never queried it at a service (now done 25k miles) as it is so intermittent I was sure I'd get a "never went wrong when we had it" sort of response.

 

The earlier comment reported from a main dealer that it's a known problem, but they don't know what it is, sounds about right to me!

 

To be honest I'm just glad I've found someone else with the same problem and it isn't just me or my car. Doubt it'll ever get fixed unless Citroen finally discover what it is, as it's soooooo sooooooo intermittent.

 

BobC

 

 

Hi BobC,

yes, mine has done it from day one though it appears to happen much more frequently than yours!

I shall be out on Thursday evening and will count the number pf "flickers" just out of interest (I know, get a life!!!).

 

It did surprise me that the dealer knew of the "problem" but annoyed me that Citroen did not know how to cure it. I did wonder if it was to do with the "new" drive-by-wire electrics???

 

It is ONLY an irritation - providing that something is not going to drop off or disappear in smoke!

[proinnsias]

It is ONLY an irritation - providing that something is not going to drop off or disappear in smoke!

 

I'll add an <aol> Me too </aol> to this one :unsure:

 

Mine's been doing it for years now - a 2001 reg ... it's intermittent at best, and seems to be related to the suspension pump as it flickers as I start to hit motorway speeds (the hunkering down thing) and occasionally flickers if I'm going over rougher-than-I'd-prefer roads ...

[Ganpixie]

I'll add an <aol> Me too </aol> to this one :D

 

Mine's been doing it for years now - a 2001 reg ... it's intermittent at best, and seems to be related to the suspension pump as it flickers as I start to hit motorway speeds (the hunkering down thing) and occasionally flickers if I'm going over rougher-than-I'd-prefer roads ...

 

Managed to find a meter to check the battery voltage...........

Just over 12v without engine running

14v with engine running.

So, within parameters described earlier!

 

On my night run I counted (exciting stuff this?) 7 bright flickers and back to standard (?) lumens.

That was on a good surfaced dual carriageway for 8.6 miles.

 

I think I will just accept it for what it is - an irritation.

What really irritates me is that she (who must be obeyed) NEVER sees it!!!!! :unsure:

 

Thanks for everybody's interest and participation.