Automatic Lights and Wipers

pcollins · Post by **pcollins** » 15 Nov 2010, 14:55

Hi All

I have just purchased a Citroen C5 and have a small problem that the Auto lights and wipers don't work.

When the wiper stalk is put into the auto position the wipers just wipe intermittently. I also have a problem with the Auto lights just won't come on when it's dark. I have enabled the auto lighting and get the confirmation that it is active.
Does anybody have any ideas what could be causing this.

Thanks

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 15 Nov 2010, 15:09

We assume you have thrown water at the screen when the wipers are on auto??

As for lights, the "Daytime" light sensor could be faulty.. at a guess.

Paul

Post by **myglaren** » 15 Nov 2010, 16:32

The rain sensor and the screen in front of it has to be spotless and the sensor tightly pressed against the glass.

There is a test for the rain sensor - IIRC turn on the ignition while watching it very closely. If it is working there should be a series of rapid yellow flashes as it ranges - if these are absent it is 10:1 that the sensor is u/s.

My daylight sensor became somewhat random after I removed it and cleaned it, lights only came on when it was almost dark and I like my lights on most if not all the time.

Application of much black felt tip sorted that one out although sometimes - and only at night, the lights don't come on. Only happens every six weeks or so.

pcollins · Post by **pcollins** » 18 Nov 2010, 21:42

When it started raining the other day the wndows closed which would suggest that the rain sensor in the window is working.

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 18 Nov 2010, 23:18

pcollins wrote:When it started raining the other day the wndows closed which would suggest that the rain sensor in the window is working.

I really, really miss that feature. In fact I miss the C5 all together.

Unclip the cover around the sensor (attached to the rear view mirror) and check everything is firmly stuck to the windcreen and not fallen off! I've seen this happen.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 20 Nov 2010, 21:10

What spec C5 do you have and what year is it?

If there is a fault with the auto wipers it reverts back to the intermittent setting. Its probably a fault with the sensor, as the comms2000 unit is working, or the wipers would work at all when on auto.

With the lights not working either, it does point to the sensor.

As has already been said, the position of the sensor should be your first port of call. Check its securely attached and is flat against the windscreen. Then check to see if any lights appear in the sensor when the wipers?lights should be operating.

R9UKE: it is a good feature, though i rarely drive with the windows down, ive had it put them up a couple of times when ive had them open. A bit odd! You should get another C5

corsehf · Post by **corsehf** » 22 Mar 2011, 13:11

Can someone explain the sequence for switching the headlamps to 'Auto'. My old C5 used to come on ok when it went dark but the lights on my new one (xenon) dont come on at all (unless switched on manually).
I have tried what it says in the manual but all i get is the 'Voice Recognition' screen??

Also, i have noticed that this new car does not have front foglights?? is this because it is fitted with xenon headlights??

wright · Post by **wright** » 22 Mar 2011, 13:49

the wipers can be set to auto or intermittent with a lexia

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 22 Mar 2011, 15:02

They do have Fog lights.. they are intrigated into the main headlight... crap really, as i like the look of the under bumper lamps...

Paul

wright · Post by **wright** » 22 Mar 2011, 15:17

not all c5s have front fogs, in Ireland the c5 came in two specs level 1 or 2, level one was 90bhp didn't have arm rests, auto wipers or lights, had small centre display and no front fogs, the level 2 did have and was 110bhp

Post by **Paul-R** » 22 Mar 2011, 19:06

corsehf wrote:Also, i have noticed that this new car does not have front foglights?? is this because it is fitted with xenon headlights??

That's exactly the reason.

JamesQB · Post by **JamesQB** » 22 Mar 2011, 20:35

myglaren wrote:...and I like my lights on most if not all the time.

Ah, so you're on of 'those'.

Dazzling the rest of us even on bright days when we don't need 55W of focussed light beamed directly into our eyeballs.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 22 Mar 2011, 20:39

JamesQB wrote:
myglaren wrote:...and I like my lights on most if not all the time.
Ah, so you're on of 'those'.

Dazzling the rest of us even on bright days when we don't need 55W of focussed light beamed directly into our eyeballs.

Correctly set headlights won't dazzle you.

wright · Post by **wright** » 22 Mar 2011, 21:03

pcollins wrote:When it started raining the other day the wndows closed which would suggest that the rain sensor in the window is working.

the windows close when the wipers have wiped the windscreen twice because the car assumes its raining if the wipers are on

Post by **myglaren** » 22 Mar 2011, 21:25

JamesQB wrote:
myglaren wrote:...and I like my lights on most if not all the time.
Ah, so you're on of 'those'.

Dazzling the rest of us even on bright days when we don't need 55W of focussed light beamed directly into our eyeballs.

'Fraid so. I approved of it when Volvo & Saab introduced it in Sweden in the 70's and have hung on to it ever since. Bodged the wiring on most of my other cars so the dipped beams were always on. Drove a 265 for quite a while too

As Xac says, they don't dazzle when correctly aligned and I make sure that they are as people with dazzly lights (and universal foglights) annoy the hell out of me.