Citroen C5 Mk1 - Speedo & Tachometer intermittent fault

[Longyear]

Hi all,

Today my 52 reg C5's Speedo and Tachometer both went off completely while driving. I pulled in to a parking bay and turned off the car, locked it, opened it, restarted it, and the Speedo & Revometer started working normally again.

I don't know if this was a total one off, or if it's going to be a repeating, intermittent fault.

Someone has suggested that this can occur in these cars, if the main car battery charge is running low. The car had not been used for 2 days, and when I started it, the starter motor did sound a little slow (although the car started no problem at all).

Could it be worth me sticking the battery on a trickle charge overnight, when I get home? .......... Does it even sound likely to you guys that battery charge level and the speedo/tachometer going off are related?

Can anyone offer and clues on this fault, and hopefully and easy fix!?

Many thanks.

[SaabC5]

Battery is often the cause of screwy instrument readings. I know on Saabs the speedo and rev counter dropping to zero is normally a faulty ABS unit, the readings are taken from it.

[spider]

I'd get the battery tested if possible. Will soon be winter anyway so weak batteries will be on their way out (reminds me I must grab one too)

A low voltage can play havoc with multiplexed cars and the instrument panel in particular seems to display such oddities, perhaps because its always so visible.

[Longyear]

Thanks guys. I recharged the battery fully, and have had no repeats of the speedo/tachometer going off, despite doing 4 x 40miles runs over the weekend.