Citroen C5 Indicator problem?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 12 Dec 2009, 11:41

Well turns out my newly aquired C5 VTR has a quirk!

When i indicate right it indicates 4 times, then the headlight come on and the indicator stops. If i cancel the indicator the lights go back out.

However if i turn the sidelights or headlights on the indicator works as it should do. So at the moment im having to drive around with my sidelights on

The left indicator works fine.

Any ideas? Im hopeing this is not a coms system failure. I think a code read would be a good place to start, but no idea what could be causeing this problem.

Anyone had this before.

Chris.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 12 Dec 2009, 11:51

I'd start with the basics of checking the earthing points for the front and rear lights as well as the bulb/indicator assembly, it may well be a comms/multiplex issue but I always start at the basic and cheap end first!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 12 Dec 2009, 18:14

Thanks Richard, ill give that a check, make sure the bulbs are connecting right and that they are the right ones.

Im starting to think its the indicator stalk itself though, as if i play with it up and down a few times it will work the next couple of times.

At th emoment im having to drive around like a Volvo driver with sidelights on all the time so my indicators work

Ive asked the garage i use who said check the basics first, then he would ask a PSA mechanic to have a look at it if i cant find the fault.

Cheers, Chris.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 12 Dec 2009, 18:31

Ouch I feel for you if it is the indicator stalk as I believe that comes as one complete assembly with the wiper stalk and costs a fair old sum, if it is take a look on ebay as I've seen a few new ones offered on there.

Post by **myglaren** » 12 Dec 2009, 18:44

If it is the stalk it could be dirty/worn contacts, may be fixable.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 12 Dec 2009, 19:22

Yep i did think that would be a costly fix if it needs a new stalk set, although if its the comms unit then thats a few hundred too. Thanks for the tip though, ill look out on ebay if i do need one.

Im hoping its somehting simple ...

Dirty connections is what im hoping for!

Ive heard of a few problems with C5s stalks, so im guesing its that, though im thinking its a bad connection somewhere.

Post by **myglaren** » 12 Dec 2009, 20:02

Ive heard of a few problems with C5s stalks, so im guesing its that, though im thinking its a bad connection somewhere.

My trip computer packed up on the first day.
I'm told that it can be fixed and one day I'll do it.
It is just the button on the end of the wiper stalk.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 12 Dec 2009, 23:14

i just had a look on service citroen regarding a stalk unit, and its very complicated as they list 23 diferent units, so i think it would make it as clear as mud with your chassis No.

regards malcolm

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Dec 2009, 12:53

Steve, ive heard of that too, i think its quite an easy fix though, the button on the end of the stalk needs to be removed and the contacts fixed.

Thanks Malcolm, though im starting to think it might be the comms unit after all.

Ive been having a play around with it today, and sometimes the indicator works, sometimes the headlights come on, sometimes it works a few times then the lights come on and then they go off and the indicator comes back on. Though its always fine when the side or headlights are turned on.

However, when i put the right indicator on, it does 3-4 flashes then stops and the headlights come on, when the headlights are on the horn doesnt work either, but it does normally. The full main beam lights dont stay on when the headlights are operated by the indicator.

Everything is fine with the lights turned on, its just the right indicator upsets things with the lights turned off.

Sounds to me like it could be earthing probelsm, any ideas where would i look for earthing points for the lights?

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 13 Dec 2009, 21:02

Unfortunitely this is almost certainly a faulty com2000.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Dec 2009, 21:57

I had suspected, just dont want to admit it

How many hundreds is a new com2000 unit?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Dec 2009, 22:20

Hmm, just doing some digging around on google regarding indicator problems on Citroens.

So the comms2000 is actually in the indicator and wiper switches itself?

The BSi is the thing which i was thinking might be faulty, however this has been mentioned that it can be reset or reconfigured first, before replacing it.

All of which sound quite costly and then might not even fix my problem.

The comms unit would seem to be the problem i think.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Dec 2009, 22:55

Just had another search arond on here and finally found someone having the same problem as my C5 but on a Xsara. Seemed to be the comms2000 unit but there was no reply as to if it fixed the problem, so i asume it did.

The comms2000 units seem to be around £150-£200, so not all too bad.

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 14 Dec 2009, 17:10

Contrary to what people think BSI's aint always the cause of eletrical problems on multiplexed cars but always seem to get the blame.
If your car has ESP you will also need a lexia to program the steering angle sensor which is an intergral part of the comms unit. If it doesent have ESP then its just plug & play.
You really need to put your VIN into cit service to get an accurate price as there are so many variations.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 14 Dec 2009, 17:57

Thanks Wheeler, ill try out Citroen service.

No the car doesnt have ESP, so it sounds like a reasonably straight forward thing to fit.

Thanks for your help