C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

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johnhuson
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C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

Post by johnhuson »

2002 C5 Estate HDi Auto. I use this car taking hospital patients all over the country. Driving fine today the following warning
lights came on;
STOP (in red) engine management (why), handbrake with brackets, ABS, and others. Messages say 'Brake fault' 'EPS fault' in fact it would be easier to say
what is not illuminated. Drives fine but possible reduced power (auto). No loss of fluid.

I have had problems (now solved) with ABS sensor, seized front handbrake lever on calliper resulting in knackered pads and reduced fuel consumption.

No guesses please, if you do not know it can cause so much expense and time however well meaning.
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Re: C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

Post by wheeler »

johnhuson wrote: 27 Sep 2017, 20:41 No guesses please, if you do not know it can cause so much expense and time however well meaning.

Unfortunately that's all you can possibly get just now without more info & checks.
Is the speedo still working ?
Are the brake lights working correctly ?
Do you have access to lexia or other diagnostic gear ?
Could be worth trying a BSI reset first.
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Re: C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

Post by Stickyfinger »

A number of problems effect and cause EPS "faults".........The only thing/first step is get it on a Lexia or you will be chasing your tail.
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Re: C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

Post by myglaren »

Also confirm that the battery voltage is correct - don't assume it is OK, check it.
C5s are notoriously sensitive to reduced voltage.
As far as the BSI reset is concerned there is a tiresome procedure to be followed - just had to do it twice on mine.
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Re: C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I would suspect an ABS sensor (same or other) - any fault in this will disable the ESP and ABS system, as will any fault in the braking circuit - so be aware you will only have basic braking from now on until identified and fixed.

The only way to find out for sure is getting Lexia to identify the fault / sensor if you want to save money and stop guessing.
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Re: C5 with Xmas tree lights - all lights on.

Post by Filberton »

Lexia must be the first step (there are a number of Lexia owners on forum who may help) but lexia may show little if this is an intermittent or transient fault.

Not a guess but rather, sharing a similar experience - I have had similar on a number of C5s always the same problem and solution.

Do not worry about lack of power, certain lights put the car to “limp home mode”
I suspect once left a couple of hours or 3 restarts, all the faults disappear??- do not ignore this and think the problem has gone away!

To get all these faults at once suggests they are not all actual faults and the common denominator is the ECU.

As others suggest, look to battery voltage first, you can get a garage to check but a quick test is headlights on main beam, heated window on...start and idle then rev to about 2000rpm. If lights brighten considerably you may have a battery problem. (Zero cost check)

On each of my C5s, the problem was a dirty/oxidised pin on one of the main ecu plugs (there are 5 of them back left in engine fuse box). First time, I ignored what I thought was a passing fault, it happened again and I ignored it....third time I looked and found the pin had overheated and melted the plug......these parts are not cheap. Since then, if I ever get a transient fault like this, I just open the bonnet, remove the plugs one by one, spray the pins with electrical contact cleaner (about £2 from Maplin) and push the plugs in and out a few times. No more problems and a £2 fix which takes about 30 minutes.

I hope your problem is as simple 😁😁
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