Newbie Asks After Searching...

[jackafrica]

Hi All,

My first post and would like to introduce myself as the owner of a 2001 2.0 HDI 110hp Auto Transmission living in Australia. Local dealer knowledge is questionable ( sadly ), being a multifranchise dealer ( 8 makes in total ) A forum such as this is likely to help me out a great deal.

 

Having checked through all 20 pages of the questions forum and 29 pages of the technical forum there are a couple of questions asked previously, up to a couple of years ago which seem unanswered, but perhaps given a year or two has passed perhaps the collective wisdom of owners has increased...

 

How often should the auto transmission fluid be changed on the AL4 ? Is it best to remove the gearbox mount and support the tranny from below. after removal of the plastic undertray of course ?

 

What size is the breather hole, so I can buy some tubing if nothing to hand.

Is there a special size on the sump of the transmission for the drain plug ?

 

Is there a Diagnostic Tool which is affordable and useful for owners such as myself who have some skills and no dealer or specialist close to hand ?

 

Do the usual tuning chips/plug and play style have a detrimental effect on any aspect of the cars electronics/diagnostics and what are owners experiences ?

My car seems sluggish via the throttle, yet appears more responsive via the cruise control. Is this the slack cable problem often referred to ?

 

As I don't have a manual, or diagrams, can someone please advise me the exact location and method of access to adjust.

 

Thanks in advance for any questions answered, I'll look forward to contributing where I can, in the future, once I become more familiar with the C5.

 

cheers

Richard

[kfk]

There isnt a specified mileage/time to replace the oil as it is considered sealed for life (how long is life?).

 

With regards to replacing the gear oil getting the correct level is decided when the gear oil temperature has reached 60 degrees.

 

Whe removing the drain bolt you will find it consists of 2 parts......first the level screw and 2nd the level tube/drainbolt.

[jackafrica]

There isnt a specified mileage/time to replace the oil as it is considered sealed for life (how long is life?).

 

With regards to replacing the gear oil getting the correct level is decided when the gear oil temperature has reached 60 degrees.

 

Whe removing the drain bolt you will find it consists of 2 parts......first the level screw and 2nd the level tube/drainbolt.

 

Thanks kfk for answering that part of the question.

Considered opinion in the antipodes is that it should be changed at least every 30ks, despite the " sealed for life " claim. A significant number of AL4 equipped cars of both Cit and Pug origins have failed at less than 100ks ( 62,000 miles ) here.

I'd prefer to change the oil, even at the price of $22.50 per litre.

 

Is the breather located under the transmission mount ?

Is this the best place to fill, or is there an alternate method, via the level tube I have not yet seen ?

 

Whilst I'm not familiar with the C5 2.0 HDI / AL4 Auto, I own two D series Cits, on which I do all the work.

 

Need my hand held for a time until there is a manual with images I can read. Hoep you folk don't mind.

Sure would appreciate replies to other parts of questions previously asked, if someone can spare the time.

Thanks, I'm grateful for any assistance.

 

cheers

Richard

[techbod]

the vent will be on top of the tranny and should be approx 10mm,

diagnostics is a mine field there are so many but the best is used from a laptop or PC to get to all the diagnostics engine/tranny/ABS/SRS/body computer

 

http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/psa_diagnostics

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q...earch&meta=

 

other types of plug and play hand held can only do the engine and tranny and can be had cheaply on eBay,

 

in new to the C5 system but i'm sure the throttle body doesn't have a cable to adjust as is controlled through the ECU ( fly by wire ) so you would need diagnostics to set/check it ( it might be worth cleaning the throttle body out ) the butterfly valve might be oiled up and sticking.

[Randombloke]

other types of plug and play hand held can only do the engine and tranny and can be had cheaply on eBay

 

Do you have any specific information on hand helds that might work with a 2002 2.2 HDi?

[jackafrica]

the vent will be on top of the tranny and should be approx 10mm,

diagnostics is a mine field there are so many but the best is used from a laptop or PC to get to all the diagnostics engine/tranny/ABS/SRS/body computer

 

http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/psa_diagnostics

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q...earch&meta=

 

other types of plug and play hand held can only do the engine and tranny and can be had cheaply on eBay,

 

in new to the C5 system but i'm sure the throttle body doesn't have a cable to adjust as is controlled through the ECU ( fly by wire ) so you would need diagnostics to set/check it ( it might be worth cleaning the throttle body out ) the butterfly valve might be oiled up and sticking.

 

Thanks for the info on the breather plug diameter and the diagnostics possibilities. Have you a diagnostics tool you use ?

 

My car, being a 2001 2.0 HDI ( 110 bhp ) does have the OBD connection in the glove box, though am unsure as to which machines will work with it. Given that if I purchase it will be from overseas and would be disappointed if the equipment didn't work through non compliance.

Thanks again for the info, I'm getting a better handle on what goes on.

 

cheers

Richard

[techbod]

I have E.L.I.T which is dedicated to Citroen but doubt it would work on the C5 2001, the ones listed for the newer cars are proxia and lexia3 and too expensive for DIY but one consolation is the newer cars are more open to hand held diagnostic tools due to newer laws making if user friendly and not dealer secretive ( there is lots of data on the Internet on how OBDI/II/EOBD/CAN are used ) im sure other who have the later cars will add what diagnostic tools they use

[coastline taxis]

I have E.L.I.T which is dedicated to Citroen but doubt it would work on the C5 2001, the ones listed for the newer cars are proxia and lexia3 and too expensive for DIY but one consolation is the newer cars are more open to hand held diagnostic tools due to newer laws making if user friendly and not dealer secretive ( there is lots of data on the Internet on how OBDI/II/EOBD/CAN are used ) im sure other who have the later cars will add what diagnostic tools they use

Hi snapon ethos scanner works fine on them and does abs/suspension/auto and manual box/trouble codes etc etc. Ive had mine on a 2000 model up to a 2007 model with no probs at all Also got one of the Elm units of ebay and there shite dont waste your money

[jackafrica]

Hi snapon ethos scanner works fine on them and does abs/suspension/auto and manual box/trouble codes etc etc. Ive had mine on a 2000 model up to a 2007 model with no probs at all Also got one of the Elm units of ebay and there shite dont waste your money

 

Thanks, had read the ELM units were rubbish, there appear to be others. Snap-On is expensive here in Australia. I'm willing to spend a hundred or so quid to be able to read the codes and clear them. I'd sure love to own a Snap-On, though likely to cost much more than I could possibly justify.

 

If there is anyone else who has tried a cheaper unit on their earlier 2001 car with success, please let us know. There are other interested owners out there other than myself with the older cars, especially in Australia. Hey, we still pay the equivalent of five grand sterling or more for a good 2001 or 2002 model with low kilometres.

 

Thanks again.

 

cheers

Richard

[techbod]

this is an interesting one because its does CAN bus so should work on the newer cars even though CAN wasn't made law till 2004 and completely takes over in 2008, early C5s have CAN integrated into the system though your not supposed to know that cough and what makes this system harder to get into is the fact its multiplex so keep an eye open for old OMITEC stuff on eBay

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAUNCH-CREADER-4-OBD...id=p3286.c0.m14

 

this next one is much cheaper and should still work with the 2000 to 03 cars but doesn't have CAN protocol

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAUNCH-CREADER-4-OBD...id=p3286.c0.m14

 

 

only problem is they don't communicate fully with all the cars ECUs so mainly engine and tranny

[jackafrica]

Thanks techbod, the two links appear to be the same tool.

Are you aware of a tool which allows access to the other parts of the car, apart from the engine and tranny ? Admittedly however, these are the two most important.

 

I did realise the 2001 2.0 diesel I own has CAN BUS Multiplexing from what little I understand about such things, which is nothing !

 

Unfortunately the folk selling the reader you linked only send to the UK. It's a worry when a bloke lives in Australia.

 

Also, found out the Snap-On Ethos system is not sold in Australia at all ! So no support, even if I were able to afford one. That's a pity.

 

Thanks, I look forward to your reply. i'm learning heaps here and that's good for me. The help is appreciated.

 

cheers

Richard

[Randombloke]

this next one is much cheaper and should still work with the 2000 to 03 cars but doesn't have CAN protocol

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAUNCH-CREADER-4-OBD...id=p3286.c0.m14

only problem is they don't communicate fully with all the cars ECUs so mainly engine and tranny

 

I'm interested in trying this out as I have not found any hand helds to work with diesel 2002.

 

Who else in the Kent area is interested in trying this out if I get one, or even to consider posting it around the country?

 

The spec claims CAN protocol on eBay, as does the manufacturer's info.

[Randombloke]

I'm informed by Gendan that this code reader will work on 2002 2.2 HDi C5s:

 

Sealey VS863 Enhanced Code Reader for Renault, Peugeot and Citroen Cars .

 

Quote from tech info on that page:

This code reader will read/clear codes from EOBD diagnostics systems (this covers engine, powertrain and emissions faults), and from the Airbag, ABS and Automatic Transmission systems on compatible vehicles. It will not read/clear codes from other systems, e.g. air conditioning, immobiliser or Suspension systems, and will not reset "service due" indicators.

 

£228.95 all in, not cheap.....

[jackafrica]

I'm informed by Gendan that this code reader will work on 2002 2.2 HDi C5s:

 

Sealey VS863 Enhanced Code Reader for Renault, Peugeot and Citroen Cars .

 

Quote from tech info on that page:

This code reader will read/clear codes from EOBD diagnostics systems (this covers engine, powertrain and emissions faults), and from the Airbag, ABS and Automatic Transmission systems on compatible vehicles. It will not read/clear codes from other systems, e.g. air conditioning, immobiliser or Suspension systems, and will not reset "service due" indicators.

 

£228.95 all in, not cheap.....

 

This unit looks suspiciously like this one from ebay item number .....

370079998544

ka ching, price check please @ only 126 quid...

anyway, that is interesting, especially as the seller reckoned they had 100 on hand, only 3 were purchased. Anyone out there know of those folk ??

I spoke to the folk who sell the Launch Creader and their advice was that if the car had " CAN protocol ", then their reader would work. Good blokes to speak with, even though I was confused at the various protocols, pins and ISO standards.

In addition they advised that their reader will only read engine and powertrain faults, which is what the EOBD standard is about. Please someone tell me if I am wrong !

The other systems on the car would not be read by this Launch Creader scanner.

 

Randombloke, the one you mention sounds like a good thing, similar to this ( ilexa onboard EOBD SCANMASTER ) http://www.ilexa.co.uk/content/category/2/3/16/

which costs 183.15 pounds sterling plus VAT.

I received an email from them

quote

"Some of these HDi engines are compatible, but because there is no legal requirement for diesels until 2004 it's impossible to say for sure if your vehicle is.

Would you be using the tool on any other cars as well? If not, I wouldn't recommend buying an EOBD tool for a single HDi vehicle as there are many common issues with these vehicles that are not part of the EOBD system such as fuel pressure specified and injector correction values.

 

Best regards

Derek

unquote.

 

Certainly not a hard sell and there are forums to back up the equipment, etc. If you look at the ilexa forum board there's heaps of helpful articles.

 

All this is nearly worthy of a thread dedicated to the subject of diagnostic scanners alone.

 

We still haven't heard from anyone who has a 2001 2.0 HDI with a ( cheaper ) plug and play scanner to say they work.

 

 

cheers

Richard

[techbod]

EOBD = European on board diagnostics, OBD = on-board diagnostics and that's all basically it was a law implemented by Canada on emissions and the diagnostic connector was required to test the system.

 

as for getting one diagnostic tool to work with all the on board computers ( ECUs ) you would need several tools unless you go laptop then its software driven via a multiplex interface like lexia3,

 

its all down to protocol's like Engine/AC/ABS/CAN which are all different,

 

http://www.obdii.com/connector.html

 

CAN is implemented in only parts of the system before 2004 because it was being tested by the manufacturer so its a case of what components were linked to it so the diagnostic tool having CAN will help even those cars before 2004 after that date it's absolutely required

[jackafrica]

Thanks for the explanation techbod ( you've picked me like a nose...I don'tknow a thing about this modern electrical/computer stuff ) you've made me rethink my position.

 

I would like a handheld jobbie, however can realise now the limitations, really it will probably only read powertrain, engine, tranny faults which it picks up via the nominated protocol.

 

If I want the big guns, then I will require a laptop and software based program, such as Lexia 3 or Proxia to do the business.

 

I've seen a handheld which did a little more than the basic, but I'm guessing only if the car had the correct protocols to match the handheld unit. That could be a suck it and see situation.

 

I will begin another thread to ask about the parameters of adjust of a couple of things.

 

Thanks again, I do appreciate the time it takes to reply.

 

cheers

Richard

[jackafrica]

I'm informed by Gendan that this code reader will work on 2002 2.2 HDi C5s:

 

Sealey VS863 Enhanced Code Reader for Renault, Peugeot and Citroen Cars .

 

Quote from tech info on that page:

This code reader will read/clear codes from EOBD diagnostics systems (this covers engine, powertrain and emissions faults), and from the Airbag, ABS and Automatic Transmission systems on compatible vehicles. It will not read/clear codes from other systems, e.g. air conditioning, immobiliser or Suspension systems, and will not reset "service due" indicators.

 

£228.95 all in, not cheap.....

 

No, it isn't cheap. However, there is the same scanner ( exactly the same ) being sold on ebay for half the price, that makes it reasonable.

look under seller alpha-bid on ebay.

Then look for MaxiDiag FR704

 

I received mine today, less than a week for delivery from the USA to Australia.

 

HINT : look in the sellers store for numerous listings with " Best Offer " and give it a go.

Mine hooked up easily and read a fault each in both the engine and transmission. Now, I have to work out if they are " phantom " faults, or the real deal.

 

Hope this helps.

 

cheers

Richard

[Stasi]

Just wondering if anyone has had success reading and resetting fault codes with the PC-based diagnostic software and a cable, even if only on a limited-access basis?

 

I have an OBD11 usb cable that I used in my VAG days on Oktavia and Golf etc, and I have seen a couple of programmes that claim to be able to read many manufacturers cars (eg. Digimoto, OBD2Spy, Scanmaster et al.) but obviously am wary of connecting to my pride-and-joy.....

 

The reason I am asking is that I had the 'Engine anti-pollution' error for about half-an-hour and wondered what had precipitated this, no other sign of a problem, I am just curious.

 

My car should be EOBD compliant, being an '02 petrol car...

 

Stasi