C5 fan - advise for buying a second hand C5

[aneesh84]

Hi ,

I need help!

I am in portugal and a student on low budget. I am a owner of Xantia 1994 which i simply love. However its become too old and the head gasket is in the early stages of failing. So I must buy a newer car, and I am thinking about this C5 2003 236000 mms, 3900 euros.

http://www.standvirtual.com/carros/anun ... /P7550147/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Old cars are much pricy in Portugal than in UK. Hence this one is relatively a good deal. Tested this car, engine, suspensions seem in good shape. However it has 2 major defects:

1. The driver side window makes noise while going up or down as if the gears are slipping.

2. the heater/AC fan is not working.

How much extra do you think I need to spend for fixing these. I am used to fixing problems myself on my xantia so can i dot it myself.

About the AC fan, I read that the most common problems are related to the MOSFET connected to the resistor. How can I make sure that the problem is just this and not something big? should i try to connect the power directly to the fan at the dealer and if that works, just buy it and then order a new Mosfet online (say over ebay)

Any other things i should be careful about while buying a C5.

Any advise is welcome.

[Citroenmad]

A C5 does make a good choice as a Xantia replacement, however they are very different cars.

The heater problem is most likely the resistor unit which is located to the left of the clutch pedal - on a RIGHT hand drive car. This failing usually gives the symptoms of an uncontrolled fan, the display either shows full fan and it is stuck on full or no fan filled symbol and no running fan. You might find that if you try to adjust the fan speed as soon as you start the car it will show the symbol on the display, that will soon go back to how it was before within seconds. This is a good indication of a failed resistor. If I remember correctly these are about £100 new. If it is not this problem and not something simple like a fuse then I'm not sure.

C5s tend to be pretty reliable, test everything electric. Drivers side window switch units are not unknown to fail, check the functions of the indicator stalks and wipers as that computer unit can fail (about £160). Suspension is pretty reliable on then with nothing too common to watch out for. As with Xantias the radius arm bearings can go, though they usually cause a knocking over bumps rather than a knock-knee'd look like a Xantia.

Have a good search on here for faults. We have had 5 C5s and covered many miles with them, I've found them to be very reliable.

It is unfortunate used cars there are so expensive, that car here would be worth about £1200.

Enjoy!

[aneesh84]

Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation. I wish I could buy one in UK and ship it here. But its really cumbersome I guess, the process of shipping, registration!

I will follow your guidelines...

But still if there is an easy and definite test for a failed resistor, I would appreciate if anyone can tell.

[daviemck2006]

My fan did that as well on a 2003 car. Swapped the complete unit beside the clutch pedal and cured it. I don't know of any definite test to try. I would have another c5 in an instant. Loved my one and regret selling it.

[Peter.N.]

The 2.0. Hdi is the best car to have as it has the least complicated engine, they are also very durable and economical. Neither of the faults you have are serious and you can get all the information you need from the forum.

Peter

[aneesh84]

Thank you so much guys. I cant dream of anything but a hydropneumatic suspension, after a Xantia! So C5 seems like an excellent choice.

Any any advise about the slipping gears at the driver side window. is it some kind of belt that needs to be replaced?

Another question I have is that with C5 can you practice as much "Fix it yourself" stuff as you could with a Xantia. Or is it too much computers that for solving electrical problems you need sophisticated diagnostic tools (something more than a multimeter)?

[Hell Razor5543]

If you haven't got one, a Lexia would probably be a useful addition to your tool kit.

[addo]

I am not in love with the C5. When they go well, they are good, but too many niggling faults for my liking.

€3900 is a whole lot of money you could spend on either the existing car or a newer Xantia.

[Clogzz]

The MOSFET is an IRFP064.
It's still in the same place on left-hand drives.

[chateau]

Normally, this box is the problem. Instead of looking for transistors, buy this cheap box. I´ve just changed it on my own car (Citroen C5, 2001 model, 2,0 HDI), and now the cabin ventilation is working as it should.
The box is situated behind the cover down by the floor on passenger side (right side of the car), just where you (passenger) have your left foot.It´s half an hours job.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... OU:GB:3160" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[daviemck2006]

Normally, this box is the problem. Instead of looking for transistors, buy this cheap box. I´ve just changed it on my own car (Citroen C5, 2001 model, 2,0 HDI), and now the cabin ventilation is working as it should.
The box is situated behind the cover down by the floor on passenger side (right side of the car), just where you (passenger) have your left foot.It´s half an hours job.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... OU:GB:3160" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thats what I changed on my car. That one is a bargain price, I think I was about £70 for mine. It was a few years ago.

[SaabC5]

To put that price of 3900 Euros into perspective, we sold a navy blue 53 plate 2.0HDi VTR with 46k miles for £550 last friday at auction.

[aneesh84]

If you browse through Portuguese sites 3900 euros for a 2.0 Hdi is the cheapest price you can find(prob because this car has these problems). Average prices are around 5000 Euros. If anyone has any idea about exporting a used C5 to Portugal from UK, that sounds like an interesting option!

BTW why are old cars so cheap in UK? is it that taxes on old cars are much higher?

[Peter.N.]

I have had two C5s, the first was a 2.2 hdi estate for which I paid £300.00, it had a few problems which I sorted in the first week and was a good car, just terrible on fuel. The 2.0. I have now cost me £550.00 and I have had to do more work on that than the early one.

The cost of cars seems to be similar in Spain to Portugal and they won't allow any RHD cars in, the cost of converting them would probably not be economic, LHD cars here are dearer probably for that reason.

Peter

[aneesh84]

i Peter, how was the fuel consumption on your 2.0 hdi c5. I have actually seen RHD cars being driven over here, so i am quite sure that they are allowed, just not sure about what bureaucracy is to be followed.