Auto-sensing lights problem

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BenC5HDi
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Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by BenC5HDi »

Hi all,

I have an 03 plate C8 with auto headlights that have stopped being auto. What might cause this? Everything else works ok. All lights function normally.

Thanks
Ben
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Hi Ben - several things spring to mind:
  • As it's an 03 has the 'auto lights' function been manually disabled (on my old C5 I'm sure this was done by turning on ignition, then holding right hand indicator stalk button in until the 'bong' sound - same to reactivate;
    Have the lights been playing up? i.e. lights going on and off randomly when on auto? and also any other electrical anomalies? this could indicate:
    1 - a failing battery. Now it's getting colder, batteries need to work harder and this is the time things will start playing up if the battery is on its way out. I have just replaced the battery in the C3 and this has cured our auto lights issue so far (they were coming on then going from main to dipped beam, sometimes off altogether - but randomly and not all the time. I realised it had been on the same battery for 8 years! Changed it and what a difference.
    or 2 - a failing Comms. 2000 unit - known to cause odd lighting and electrical failures;
    Have you had any diagnostics done recently with a lexia? If so, could it be that any options referencing the light sensor or presence of 'auto' on the lighting stalk have been inadvertently changed?;
    Bad earth;
    Have you tried the good old BSI reset procedure? Always worth doing - especially if the car has had the battery disconnected for any reason at all - or useful to do once in a while to get rid of unusual electrical niggles.
    there is also the possibility of the sunlight sensor itself packing up (have you had a replacement windscreen lately)?
As you can see these are just a few possibilities, so suggest getting a lexia on it to help with tracking down possible faults. :-D
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BenC5HDi
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by BenC5HDi »

Thanks Marc. Not had it on a Lexia yet, not had it a huge amount of time. I'll get it on one and see what happens. I've had enough C5s, Xantias and currently have a C4 as well so I'm not wholly unfamiliar with their weird ways.

Everything else on the car works absolutely perfectly, apart from the rear wash-wipe. The pump runs, but no water comes out..
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by Stickyfinger »

Check you are not pumping water into your rear door :)...really
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BenC5HDi
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by BenC5HDi »

Yes, I will, thanks Sticky. I am led to believe on a C8 it happens further down the car than the tailgate. More like halfway down the car where the pipe can come unclipped and leak!
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by Stickyfinger »

Ahhh....C8.....was thinking C5....worth checking however knowing Citroen :)
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

These are dual pumps and as it's working then if not blocked with some gunk, then may be a kink in the pipe somewhere or as Sticky says it may have come off around the rear tailgate.
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BenC5HDi
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by BenC5HDi »

I shall inspect tomorrow, when I get a chance. I should perhaps start a blog about this odd vehicle, but I can't imagine it would be overly interesting, as it's simply a van with windows and doors!
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I remember the full leather exclusives of the C8 with the 'captains chair ' seats that swivelled round and the DVD kits in the roof that dropped down, really nice, same floor pan as the Peugeot 806 I think. But nice looking for a van sized MPV!
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BenC5HDi
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'04 Berlingo Multispace 2.0 HDi with a 123BHP remap
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by BenC5HDi »

I've acquired it by accident, it's way nicer than I ever thought it could be!
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GiveMeABreak
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C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
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CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Just had a quick look at the washer pipe routing for the C8. It seems the pipe goes from the front washer union up to the front left passenger corner ceiling; from there it goes along the left headlining to about mid point of the sliding door. From there, it goes diagonally over to the right rear tailgate I assume under the headlining. But a little more than about halfway across the roof it first joins another pipe Union before carrying onto the rear right corner and from there across the tailgate to the rear left tailgate corner where the jet is. Hope that makes sense!
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Marc
BenC5HDi
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Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by BenC5HDi »

That's wonderful, thanks for your help.

I've just discovered the spare wheel and carrier is also missing. I feel an eBay trawl coming on..
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GiveMeABreak
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C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Auto-sensing lights problem

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No worries, I'll post you the diagram here tomorrow for the pipe work, if you want it as a printable PDF then just drop me a PM with an email that I can send it to Ben.
Edit: It's today already!
Image
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Marc
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