New Member

[Christine 113]

Hi

Just joined the forum as my husband is now the owner of a 2001 SX diesel C5 he was always a VW man (since Triumph heralds became rare) and is now struggling with cars that can only be fixed with computers not spanners. A few years ago he came home with a Citroen Zantia 2.1 diesel estate full leather etc to see if they were any better than years ago. Well we have to admit it was the best car we have ever owned (even better than the Stag) so with two large dogs when it was time to move on he went for the C5, admittedly it is not new but not every one can afford new motors. This was the biggest mistake we ever made it has stood outside, by the side of the road, on RAC flat beads or in the dealers more than it has ran. The faults and subsequent fixes are to long to go into as I have prattled on long enough the car itself is beautiful and has a lot of potential, has low mileage (now I know why and we are not adding to it) and if I can get him to post symptoms and your members can help us sort it out we will be over the moon. So sorry for the gripe and I will get the latest facts together and ask the relevant questions in the technical section later.

Chris

[Johndouglas]

1. Welcome to the forum.

2. I agree, I used to have a 2.1 Xantia. Great car, great engine.

3. Sorry you are dismayed with your C5. On this and other C5 forums there are lots of other happy owners - myself included.

4. Start listing your problems. Maybe someone can help.

[Randombloke]

Before posting a list of faults it might pay to use the search function - the answers might already be there and I must admit that I now no longer type up answers to problems I replied to before.

 

For me the reason I avoided the Xantia was the lack of roof rails, and the poor choice of diesel engines until it was equipped with 2.1 12 valve XUD engine. The 1.9 had the potential to guzzle fuel if it was caned, and the car was so much heavier than the BX, with seats that for the taller person were not as good IMV. However, an end of line HDi 110 hp Xantia can be excellent value for money.

 

It also always pays to do research on cars before buying, I had a long list of checks given to me by my local independent Citroen repairer. I must admit to not seeing the point of buying a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol one, including HPi.

 

1st piece of advice - make sure your C5 has a quality battery, both voltage and current delivery wise. Lower voltages can often cause sensor issues. Do not disconnect the battery without waiting the right length of time.

 

2nd piece of advice - find a good repairer. Maybe a good Citroen dealer, maybe an independent.

 

Lastly, if you have owned and liked Triumph Stags then surely unreliability isn't going to put you off a car? :P

[Christine 113]

Before posting a list of faults it might pay to use the search function - the answers might already be there and I must admit that I now no longer type up answers to problems I replied to before.

 

For me the reason I avoided the Xantia was the lack of roof rails, and the poor choice of diesel engines until it was equipped with 2.1 12 valve XUD engine. The 1.9 had the potential to guzzle fuel if it was caned, and the car was so much heavier than the BX, with seats that for the taller person were not as good IMV. However, an end of line HDi 110 hp Xantia can be excellent value for money.

 

It also always pays to do research on cars before buying, I had a long list of checks given to me by my local independent Citroen repairer. I must admit to not seeing the point of buying a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol one, including HPi.

 

1st piece of advice - make sure your C5 has a quality battery, both voltage and current delivery wise. Lower voltages can often cause sensor issues. Do not disconnect the battery without waiting the right length of time.

 

2nd piece of advice - find a good repairer. Maybe a good Citroen dealer, maybe an independent.

 

Lastly, if you have owned and liked Triumph Stags then surely unreliability isn't going to put you off a car? :P

[Christine 113]

Hi

This is Shaun, Chris’s husband

First I feel I have to defend my Stag as it was a much older car than this one is and it got me about for a lot longer with a lot more reliability so far. I could always get it to go and although it did not tell me what was wrong it did not baffle so many people (dealers included) with it modern technology and I could always get it going on the side of the road. Well that said I do like the concept of the C5 and understand the need for people to include microprocessors in anything they will fit I suffer from that at work (instrument technician) but this only adds to bills as ohhh it needs to be a dealer so he can re set the alarm even if you have rectified the fault.

I have searched the forum and found some of the faults but non that seem to match mine so will attempt to find any info I can without posting the faults.

Shaun

[Randombloke]

I have searched the forum and found some of the faults but non that seem to match mine so will attempt to find any info I can without posting the faults.

 

If you cannot find some or all of your faults using the Search then it makes sense to post them as threads so we can see if anyone has suffered the same.

 

Either of these threads cover any of your problems?

 

C5 Annoyances Specific To Second Hand Cars, Things to check, sort out or avoid on s/h

 

2002 C5 2.2 Hdi Exclusive - Thinking Of Buying, Service Shedules, things to watch out for etc??

[Christine 113]

If you cannot find some or all of your faults using the Search then it makes sense to post them as threads so we can see if anyone has suffered the same.

 

Either of these threads cover any of your problems?

 

C5 Annoyances Specific To Second Hand Cars, Things to check, sort out or avoid on s/h

 

2002 C5 2.2 Hdi Exclusive - Thinking Of Buying, Service Shedules, things to watch out for etc??

[Christine 113]

Hi

This is Shaun and my wife now wants me to summarise the experience we have had with the C5 in the hope some of the members could help. This is Long I am afraid and if anyone manages to read to the end or make any sense out of this I need all the help I can get with this car. I must admit I am tempted to get a private reg for this car as a tribute but 666 is so expensive. I have tried the search and have attempted to reset the immobaliser but it sounds a lot like the key sync I have tried and did not work. I realise I should use the forum with threads but have not managed to get the hang of this yet and am getting bugged by the Mrs just to put up the problems so here goes.

I am a bit of a Luddite but not totally useless when it comes to modern technology as I have been an instrument technician for more years than I care to mention so technical things do not frighten me. As yet I have not been able to find any manual for the C5 apart from the hand book and everyone even the dealer seems to have different ideas. The car compared to my old Xantia 2.1 TD needs revs to start to pick up the pace and seems to have such high gearing it will only pick up enoughf to overtake when it reaches 70 . The problems started with not starting or even attempting to fire when spinning over, RAC found blown fuse and it started first time (unable to determine what the fuse was for just engine 15amp) the car worked for a day then same again but fuse OK . Next day it started but had the diesel additive low and filter blocked alarm so I took it to the dealer, on the way down the wipers packed up but I decided not to mention this as it was going to cost enough. Went to pick it up the next day it would not start so dealer took it back inside boosted the battery and it started so was told it needs to see 1400 revs or it will not even try to start. Told the alarms will clear as soon as I get the fuel near empty and re fill it (wipers worked ok). Next morning no start so attempted to jump from the Jeep with no joy so stole the batter from the jeep and it fired straight up. Went away for a month and expected problems when I returned but it fired up straight away so went and purchased a £60 battery but did not fit it. Used it for a 60 mile journey with no problems, stopped and started ok on the way down and when I went to set off back but died at slow speed over speed bump 20 feet from start point. Used fully charged battery with no joy, disconnected battery for 5 min and messed with key fob until it finally started and ran 60 miles home. Low on diesel I went to garage but car cut out on roundabout and would not start. As the fuel light had come on I assumed it must be fuel so went and got some poured it in and it started first turn without so much as a splutter and within less than 1 second so don’t believe it was out of diesel. Next day I try again and half way through a 60 mile trip the wipers pack in but car still goes OK. Next stop back to normal so remove battery for 5 min re sync the key (picked up tip from forum) and starts first time and wipers are working so on we go. One further stop without problem (fluid level never did clear when filled with diesel) then left for 20 min but will not start even with new battery, disconnection, re sync, verbal abuse or physical assault. RAC called and informed these things are nothing but trouble and it will be the diesel pump so with a couple of thumps with a hammer on the fuel tank he called a low loader an once again I return without my car. The last time I saw immobiliser fault on a few occasions but the RAC were insistent it was the pump but I think it is some kind of immobiliser problem. Any thoughts gratefully received.

SHAUN

[Randombloke]

I realise I should use the forum with threads but have not managed to get the hang of this yet and am getting bugged by the Mrs just to put up the problems so here goes.

 

If you can't use the search then simply post the problem and someone else will post you a link. If you don't think it is terse or rude just to post a link as a reply then I for one will post the links for you.

 

We know your car is a 2001 SX but can you just confirm it's a 2.2, and is it manual? I don't think any cars that far back except 2.2 had DPF. Please can you also post the mileage, see below.

 

As yet I have not been able to find any manual for the C5 apart from the hand book and everyone even the dealer seems to have different ideas.

 

There are two options here but they may not help you.

 

1. Wait for Haynes manual now promised.

 

Haynes Manual is on its way

 

2. Buy the manual in French, details here:

 

Workshop manual, Citroen C5

 

The car compared to my old Xantia 2.1 TD needs revs to start to pick up the pace and seems to have such high gearing it will only pick up enough to overtake when it reaches 70 .

 

Definite problem. I've also got a 406 with the 2.1 XUD and the C5 blows its socks off at low revs.

 

You need to check thoroughly for leaks in the pressurised side of the inlet, especially the intercooler in and out. I've seen some C5s with a puddle of oil at the bottom for the intercooler. All jubilee clips need to be tight, any leak here will render the turbo less than effective.

 

Next day it started but had the diesel additive low and filter blocked alarm so I took it to the dealer, on the way down the wipers packed up but I decided not to mention this as it was going to cost enough.

 

This has to be sorted or the car goes into "limp home mode" with no power to be had. When the filter has been changed and the Eolys topped up the ECU may need to be reset. Do not ignore this. You would be well advised to post the RPN (4 or 5 digits in drivers door) here, so someone can tell you if the particulate filter needs to be changed at 50k or 75k miles. My gut feeling is that it is a 50k miles DPF change.

 

Went to pick it up the next day it would not start so dealer took it back inside boosted the battery and it started so was told it needs to see 1400 revs or it will not even try to start. Told the alarms will clear as soon as I get the fuel near empty and re fill it (wipers worked ok). Next morning no start so attempted to jump from the Jeep with no joy so stole the batter from the jeep and it fired straight up.

 

A dodgy battery in a C5 is asking for trouble. Disconnecting the battery without following the procedure is asking for trouble. Even before I heard about your hassles it was the first thing I mentioned. I had some minor faults this Summer and a low battery was the culprit, a boost charge by my indy garage sorted them. I'm watching the battery closely as it's the original in a 6 year old car and will change it as soon as there is any suspicion.

 

Next day I try again and half way through a 60 mile trip the wipers pack in but car still goes OK. Next stop back to normal so remove battery for 5 min re sync the key (picked up tip from forum) and starts first time and wipers are working so on we go.

 

Wipers - worth checking all the obvious things before you go to the garage, but if it is nothing obvious it may be in the steering column, a common fault here is the COM 2000 unit. Expensive.

 

Don't forget that the first position on the wiper arm is the one where the wiper only runs when the rain sensor tells it to.

 

Check the service history. See if the particulate filter and fluid change was done at the correct interval. If not, trouble. Get it done ASAP. Otherwise it will simply go into "limp home mode" and you will find it a struggle to go anywhere in a hurry.

 

Get the garage to tell you the fault codes. Once they have been wiped after servicing it's difficult to get them back. Keep notes as to what was wrong.

 

Post a rough location, e.g Leicester, Kent, so we can tell you about the garages we love and hate, and have had hassle with, or excellent results with.

 

PS. This new member has similar hassles to you here:

 

Visa10E's New Member thread

[Christine 113]

If you can't use the search then simply post the problem and someone else will post you a link. If you don't think it is terse or rude just to post a link as a reply then I for one will post the links for you.

 

We know your car is a 2001 SX but can you just confirm it's a 2.2, and is it manual? I don't think any cars that far back except 2.2 had DPF. Please can you also post the mileage, see below.

There are two options here but they may not help you.

 

1. Wait for Haynes manual now promised.

 

Haynes Manual is on its way

 

2. Buy the manual in French, details here:

 

Workshop manual, Citroen C5

Definite problem. I've also got a 406 with the 2.1 XUD and the C5 blows its socks off at low revs.

 

You need to check thoroughly for leaks in the pressurised side of the inlet, especially the intercooler in and out. I've seen some C5s with a puddle of oil at the bottom for the intercooler. All jubilee clips need to be tight, any leak here will render the turbo less than effective.

This has to be sorted or the car goes into "limp home mode" with no power to be had. When the filter has been changed and the Eolys topped up the ECU may need to be reset. Do not ignore this. You would be well advised to post the RPN (4 or 5 digits in drivers door) here, so someone can tell you if the particulate filter needs to be changed at 50k or 75k miles. My gut feeling is that it is a 50k miles DPF change.

A dodgy battery in a C5 is asking for trouble. Disconnecting the battery without following the procedure is asking for trouble. Even before I heard about your hassles it was the first thing I mentioned. I had some minor faults this Summer and a low battery was the culprit, a boost charge by my indy garage sorted them. I'm watching the battery closely as it's the original in a 6 year old car and will change it as soon as there is any suspicion.

Wipers - worth checking all the obvious things before you go to the garage, but if it is nothing obvious it may be in the steering column, a common fault here is the COM 2000 unit. Expensive.

 

Don't forget that the first position on the wiper arm is the one where the wiper only runs when the rain sensor tells it to.

 

Check the service history. See if the particulate filter and fluid change was done at the correct interval. If not, trouble. Get it done ASAP. Otherwise it will simply go into "limp home mode" and you will find it a struggle to go anywhere in a hurry.

 

Get the garage to tell you the fault codes. Once they have been wiped after servicing it's difficult to get them back. Keep notes as to what was wrong.

 

Post a rough location, e.g Leicester, Kent, so we can tell you about the garages we love and hate, and have had hassle with, or excellent results with.

 

PS. This new member has similar hassles to you here:

 

Visa10E's New Member thread

[Christine 113]

The model is C5 HDI SX 2179cc manual estate that has done 74300 miles, when I first got it there was a problem with the turbo lots of white smoke oil in intercooler etc so I had a new turbo and intercooler fitted (hence the reason for continuing with it as so far it has cost me a fortune) it has done around 500 miles since. My local dealer is in Coldstream in the English /Scottish borders. I will attempt to navigate the site with a bit more efficiency but I have been attempting to get the car to run as it was my idea to get it and the wife so far is not too pleased with me. As for the manuals I would love a Hanes but as you state it is not here yet and my French is non existent. My battery and alternator all seem fine the discharge and charging seems to check out and even with the new battery it makes no difference but I will search the forum as I did not know there was a sequence for disconnecting the battery. The power problem I will look at once I get it up and running I can see the potential and on occasion it has shown some. The particulate filter has been cleaned and the additive topped up by dealer but until I can get it to run for any time period I cannot work on this or take it back. As for the wipers this seems to happen as a prelude to not starting when next stopped but without fuse change or anything it is OK next time the car starts, this I will also look into when I can get it to run. I appreciate all of your help and comments and apologise if I have approached this incorrectly but I was getting hassle from her indoors and was getting desperate. So once again thanks to you and every one for the advice. Next move I think is to trailer it to dealer and get the hand held on it and re set the immobiliser if it is at fault. I will post any conclusions or any advice I receive that I think may help any other members.

Shaun

[Randombloke]

My battery and alternator all seem fine the discharge and charging seems to check out and even with the new battery it makes no difference but I will search the forum as I did not know there was a sequence for disconnecting the battery.

 

Battery Charge Fault & Immobiliser, How to re-set the Immobiliser?

 

Strange Happenings With Lights & Central Locking

 

Plipping Key No Longer Working, Key

 

Next move I think is to trailer it to dealer and get the hand held on it and re set the immobiliser if it is at fault. I will post any conclusions or any advice I receive that I think may help any other members.

 

Just Bought A 2002 C5 1.8i Lx, Can someone please answer a few questions?

 

Do you have one of these? Saved me a lot of aggravation with my BX, was able to sort out poor charging:

 

Digital Car voltmeter, plugs into ciggie lighter

[iannez]

the particle filters are normally finished on these when they get to 70-80k. the fact your turbo went down and caused excess smoke to pass through it will have reduced its life aswell. sounds to me when its getting hot it is blocking which would explain low power and cutting out. these filters are only made to last as long as 1 tank of eloys so both should be replaced together along with the eloys ecu as there is no way of resetting them on these models. if a regeneration of the filter does work (very rare) it will not last for long. if you have sussed out how to re-sync the key the shutdown procedure won't make any difference. best thing to do is when it wont start loosen the 4 bolts that hold the cat and particle filter together so the exhaust blows pre-filter. if it starts you will know 100% that this is whats at fault. think you will find it is. you would have a key symol flashing while cranking if imob fault, battery light would come on before cutting out if it was a charging fault (light only comes on when battery drops below 10v which is around the voltage ecu's start to malfunction) and car would not start of the button after adding fuel if it was a fueling fault. everythings pointing towards an exhaust blockage which 9 times out of 10 on these cars is the particle filter. the 1 time that its not its the cat.