Citroen C5 computer/electrical problems - desperate for help
Variant: 2.0 HDi SX Estate
Model Year: 2002
Categories:
Leaks & Noises
We've got a 52 plate c5 2 litre sx hdi estate, and started having problems about 4 years ago with the dashboard/electronics/fan.
At the moment the dials are very sporadic in working, they will go off for a few minutes or months. We have no speedo, rev counter, fuel, engine temp, mileage (or trip) or oil temp gauges. The warning lights which are always lit are - passenger airbag disengaged, abs fault, handbrake warning, service light, and the stop light. The indicators work but don't light on the dash. The hazard lights neither work or display.
Some time ago the fan failed and there was an electrical burning smell, like an electrical motor. The fan never worked after that. It has just been replaced last month and still doesn't work, and the old fan that came out has been tested and also worked fine. I've been to citroen and they had a look, they are pretty stumped and would basically need a blank cheque to start looking.
I'm quite confident to have a look about in the car, if anyone has any suggestions as to what the problem might be or maybe some help for how to get the dashboard off? It's just failed the MOT today (which has cancelled our holiday) so basically means the car is scrapped if we can't get to the back of this. The car drives perfectly, no loss in performance, suspension is fine etc.
Also the cd player cannot be used, while the instruments are down, as it makes a very loud beeping noise, almost like an alarm. Don't know if this is connected to the rest of the problems.
Again any help is very much appreciated, getting pretty sick of these problems now.
Thankyou
At the moment the dials are very sporadic in working, they will go off for a few minutes or months. We have no speedo, rev counter, fuel, engine temp, mileage (or trip) or oil temp gauges. The warning lights which are always lit are - passenger airbag disengaged, abs fault, handbrake warning, service light, and the stop light. The indicators work but don't light on the dash. The hazard lights neither work or display.
Some time ago the fan failed and there was an electrical burning smell, like an electrical motor. The fan never worked after that. It has just been replaced last month and still doesn't work, and the old fan that came out has been tested and also worked fine. I've been to citroen and they had a look, they are pretty stumped and would basically need a blank cheque to start looking.
I'm quite confident to have a look about in the car, if anyone has any suggestions as to what the problem might be or maybe some help for how to get the dashboard off? It's just failed the MOT today (which has cancelled our holiday) so basically means the car is scrapped if we can't get to the back of this. The car drives perfectly, no loss in performance, suspension is fine etc.
Also the cd player cannot be used, while the instruments are down, as it makes a very loud beeping noise, almost like an alarm. Don't know if this is connected to the rest of the problems.
Again any help is very much appreciated, getting pretty sick of these problems now.
Thankyou
Posted: Sep 29, 2010 (14 years ago)
sounds like you may have an issue with the Bsi. Have you ever had windscreen replaced,or any type of water ingress?
Posted Sep 29, 2010 (14 years ago)
i'm not sure what the bsi is? is that the main computer for the car?
the windscreen has never been changed to my knowledge, but we boought it when it was 6 months old, so i suppose it could have been changed. also the only way i can think there might be water inside the car is from accodently leaving the window open when it's raining. because the heater/blower hasn't been working for 3/4 years, that wouldn't help matters if there was damp in there.
when they did test it on the computer (while the dials were on) they told us all the components were working.
whereabouts is the bsi? is it easy to have a look an see if there is any corrosion on it etc?
thankyou for your reply!! :)
the windscreen has never been changed to my knowledge, but we boought it when it was 6 months old, so i suppose it could have been changed. also the only way i can think there might be water inside the car is from accodently leaving the window open when it's raining. because the heater/blower hasn't been working for 3/4 years, that wouldn't help matters if there was damp in there.
when they did test it on the computer (while the dials were on) they told us all the components were working.
whereabouts is the bsi? is it easy to have a look an see if there is any corrosion on it etc?
thankyou for your reply!! :)
Posted Oct 1, 2010 (14 years ago)
the bsi is inside car and houses interior fuses.
Posted Oct 1, 2010 (14 years ago)
I had similar problems with my car. I found this on the web:
Before sending the unit for repair try the BSI Reset procedure as this may cure your faults:
Put the driver's window down, lift the bonnet and ensure all equipment is switched off.
Ensure all doors are closed and remove key from the ignition.
Wait for 3 minutes, disconnect the vehicle battery and wait 15 seconds.
Reconnect the vehicle battery, wait a further 10 seconds (do not open doors.).
Switch on the side lights through the driver's window.
Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality.
Hold lock button on key down for 10 seconds.
Remove key open & close door test central locking system.
Start the engine and complete the system's check.
Failure to follow this procedure could result in incorrect operation of many BSI related items.
Before sending the unit for repair try the BSI Reset procedure as this may cure your faults:
Put the driver's window down, lift the bonnet and ensure all equipment is switched off.
Ensure all doors are closed and remove key from the ignition.
Wait for 3 minutes, disconnect the vehicle battery and wait 15 seconds.
Reconnect the vehicle battery, wait a further 10 seconds (do not open doors.).
Switch on the side lights through the driver's window.
Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality.
Hold lock button on key down for 10 seconds.
Remove key open & close door test central locking system.
Start the engine and complete the system's check.
Failure to follow this procedure could result in incorrect operation of many BSI related items.
Posted Aug 29, 2012 (12 years ago)
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