Front windscreen c5 x7

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
davoxx
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 488
Joined: 02 Jan 2011, 23:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 9

Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by davoxx »

So I got my front windscreen changed on my C5 X7, and I swear the new screen is brighter.

Was there a tinted version of the front screen on the exclusive?
The windscreen glass company says they are all the same, and that it's because the glass is new and clean it looks brighter.

Am I crazy or are the front screens slightly tinted?
why?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes the front screens are tinted.

The only difference is that there were versions without a rain sensor and one with the 16 speed rain sensor before 30th Nov 2009.

Both also had different screens for later models 30th November 2009 onwards as above without or with the sensor.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
davoxx
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 488
Joined: 02 Jan 2011, 23:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 9

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by davoxx »

So could the replacement one be less tinted compared to the original Citroen one or just a cheapo after-market with no tint?
why?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

You won't get an original Citroen replacement unless you order it directly from Citroen (Saint-Gobain Sekurit), in which case the insurance company (if using them) will either refuse to pay for it outright or may provide a portion of the cost up to what they would pay from the glass company.

It will be made by one of the usual glass companies. They are supposed to be identical in specifications, but I've also noticed differences too when I had my X7 one replaced. More concerning though is the light / rains sensor. I warned them about making sure they did the job properly - but sure enough after they completed it, the gel pack went opaque where it was removed and replaced, causing poor performance.

I complained and they came back out - same fitter with his water bottle spray. I told him that's not good, as it has 16 levels of detection and he almost had to poor the water on for it to operate.

Gave them the official part number and they coughed up for a new one - circa £250! Covered by their insurance.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Actually it's now gone up to £292.24 for the replacement sensor. :shock:
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
davoxx
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 488
Joined: 02 Jan 2011, 23:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 9

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by davoxx »

Read your post.
Great, the car is an 09, with rain sensor and I can see the air bubbles!
Will now have to figure check if it is working correctly


Cowboys ted, they didn't even change all the side trim clips, as they now try to reuse as many as possible.
why?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

That is essential when replacing the trim as it's a safety factor that holds the trim in place. If they have not done this - complain and get them to do it as it is a manufacturer recommendation.

Your sensor will have weakened performance guaranteed. It has 16 adjustable speed levels to meet all conditions, and you may find that the sensitivity has diminished greatly as a result, resulting in less wiping of fine rain and also poorer light detection.

Personally, I just can't abide sloppy work. The repairs are guaranteed. If you are not happy, make a complaint and stand your ground. They have insurance to cover things like the sensor. But unforgiveable regarding the clips as this is a safety issue and they must be replaced. The fitters on all my replacement windscreens always replaced with new clips.

If this is on your car insurance, then make a complaint to the car insurer and they will get in touch with the windscreen company - after all you have to use their recommended ones in most cases, so they need to come down hard on them if they are cutting corners. Just throw 'health and safety' at them and they'll soon start shifting.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
H4wkeye
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 145
Joined: 06 Apr 2022, 00:15
Location: Europe
My Cars: 2011 Citroen C5 X7 Exclusive 2.0 HDI
x 14

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by H4wkeye »

Are the actual sensors embedded into the windscreen or? I've seen used windscreens with the sensors still visible.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No the sensor is a separate unit that clips into a holder on the windscreen. The sensor has a ribbon connector to the ceiling console above the rear view mirror.

Breakers are not too picky and will just rip out components without much care. They won’t be necessarily bothered with taking trim to pieces to unplug connectors and the like, so probably just cut the wiring,
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
H4wkeye
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 145
Joined: 06 Apr 2022, 00:15
Location: Europe
My Cars: 2011 Citroen C5 X7 Exclusive 2.0 HDI
x 14

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by H4wkeye »

Ah I see. I had my windscreen replaced by the previous owner, however he opted for a used one off a Citroen, since they only offered 3rd party ones otherwise. Though the sensors seem to work fine, light and rain.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

If the sensor has remained clipped into the windscreen housing, so it can be plugged back into the wiring, then there is no reason why it should not function correctly - the problems start when the sensor is physically removed from the windscreen housing, where the gel pack can become cloudy and opaque as air gets in and it becomes distorted from pulling it off. :wink:
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
H4wkeye
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 145
Joined: 06 Apr 2022, 00:15
Location: Europe
My Cars: 2011 Citroen C5 X7 Exclusive 2.0 HDI
x 14

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by H4wkeye »

Oooh I see! That makes sense. :D
davoxx
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 488
Joined: 02 Jan 2011, 23:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 9

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by davoxx »

Yeah, so it rained, and the wipers were slow to start and kept going for a while when the rain stopped.

I'll give them a call and get the sensor issue fixed.

I spoke to the guy about the clips when he fitted them he replaced 4 broken ones, but he said that they said it's okay to reuse?
So I'll ask them to replace all of them as that's the proper way right?

It is on my insurance, but the insurance companies in Ireland are c*nts and there is no one to complain to as the ombudsman is always on their side.
why?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
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 5646

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It's a safety issue and if they are supposed to be replacing the windscreen then it should be to the manufacturer's own safety standards. See below in Red:

Click Image to Zoom
clips.PNG
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
davoxx
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 488
Joined: 02 Jan 2011, 23:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 9

Re: Front windscreen c5 x7

Post by davoxx »

Thanks, I'll kick their ass about that so.
why?
Post Reply