Merged Lexia & Diagbox threads

[GiveMeABreak]

That's correct Steve, 30 mins tops, but I never get that even with a brand new AGM battery even on a good run. The equipment you have will affect thus too. I have the Navidrive 3D unit and that takes a lot of juice, plus the colour Display, unit cooling fans and Bluetooth connection, emergency phone etc., all decreases time, which makes sense, as you wouldn't want to get caught out.

[bobins]

I think you get a longer time before it goes into economy mode if you perform the battery condition test with Diagbox as I mentioned above*. At least that way the battery state monitor gets a more realistic idea of the condition of your battery.
Installing a new battery won't necessarily gain you maximum time before economy mode kicks in, if you're going to put a new battery in, then it'd be best to install the battery then run the battery condition test.
*-Assuming your battery is in a good state to begin with.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, used it before whilst working in Diagbox, but returns to about 5 to10 minutes after a while back in normal use. Brand new very expensive battery, makes no difference. I have the welcome function, so seats move back to let you out and close back up when you turn ignition on, then with the hydractive C5, the BHI running with the sensors active to monitor door opening and closing / height raising / lowering, comfort lighting under the seats, dash etc., so I think a lot of this time is further reduced with all the options and equipment. Similar on my MKII C5, which was top spec. with Navidrive, but got a little longer as there wasn't as much going on as there is with the X7. It doesn't bother me TBH.

[Florrynel]

I have the same options, easy entry, navigation and many others. The thing is: if i stop the engine, it will take about 5 to 10 minutes to go to economi mode.
Different scenario: come from work (20 min drive) park the car and the next morning as i open the door the "economy mode" is already shown on the display, so if you ask me is something with the battery holding the charge or something that use to much eletricity over the night (unlikely). In the cold morning, when i start the engine, all the dials and the lights go crazy for 1 second.
I messure the current with a cheap messurement device and with the engine is running i have 14.50v, after i stop the engine drops to about 12.80 and in the next 10 minutes drops on about 12.30v. At 12.50 go to economy mode.
Every time i open a door, a noise is coming from the engine bay and a small voltage dropping.
When i start the engine, the voltage drops about 8.50 v when the starter motor is running (about 1 second).
I truly believe that i need a new battery ...
Btw... excuse my english. Thank you .

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, battery is very likely the cause. Regarding the instruments going crazy - that is another indication. A friend had no indication of battery problems at all on her Xsara HDi; came out from a meeting, went to start the car and all the dials went backwards and forwards rapidly, clicks and lights going everywhere. She had the AA out and battery was flat. All or nothing in this case!

I always change the battery when I change my car and I don't scrimp either. The C5s like a very healthy battery with lots of poke, so make sure you get a decent one as all sorts of electrical problems can be caused with a poor battery on the C5. When you do change it, make sure you follow the BSI reset procedure step by step too here:

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... et#p502218

[Paul-R]

Florynel - how old is the battery? Is it the original one from the car? How many miles has the car done? - It could be lots of stops and starts that have exhausted the battery.

[Hell Razor5543]

I know the car is an 08 reg, and around 115,000 miles.

[GiveMeABreak]

If it is the original, then it has certainly done its duty!

[Paul-R]

Assuming that neither car had a battery during their first three years I got 9 years for my old C5 and 11 years for my old Xsara. Probably something to do with the less sophisticated electrics I suppose.

[GiveMeABreak]

It's the one thing people tend to overlook - but when they go - they go, but they generally give everything they've got until they do!

[Florrynel]

Hi everyone. Don`t think is the original baterry, it`s a black varta. I ordered a new bosch silver aniway, and i will change it in the next days.

[RichardW]

Eco mode on later cars is not necessarily related to the battery - you get the same time after switch off before eco mode kicks in as the engine was running before, up to 30 mins (so 1 min running - 1min before Eco mode) - regardless of what happened before, so you can go 3 hours on the motorway stop at the services, drive 1 min to the petrol station, and then eco mode will kick in after 1 min!

[Stickyfinger]

Eco mode on later cars is not necessarily related to the battery - you get the same time after switch off before eco mode kicks in as the engine was running before, up to 30 mins (so 1 min running - 1min before Eco mode) - regardless of what happened before, so you can go 3 hours on the motorway stop at the services, drive 1 min to the petrol station, and then eco mode will kick in after 1 min!

This, boils my ....

[Paul-R]

Tell me about it.

As well as my problems with signal strength wavering on FM the eco mode is a royal PITA. The service manager just shrugs his shoulders and says that's the way they are.

So much does it annoy me that I am seriously looking into a separate car radio that I can run directly off a 12v feed. I haven't done much research but so far it hasn't been easy. Ideally it would have a detachable front connected to a box out of the way that has the receiver gubbins proper. It should cover FM Band II, MW AM and, crucial this, LW AM.

Any suggestions anyone?

[myglaren]

I don't use the radio at all, find it most irritating but will say, before you spend much cash on it, that the plan is to discontinue FM/MW/LW broadcasts in 2018.
As this has been postponed a couple of times already it may not happen - especially as I have heard that DAB radio leaves a lot to be desired.
Worth bearing in mind though.