C3 Radio not Ignition Wired !

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

not the most pressing of issues, but a small (and surprising) irritation....

The CD Tuner in daughter's new C3 (2005 1.1 Desire) isn't fed on the usual 'Aux position' ignition feed, so when you turn the ignition off, it doesn't go off !!

I was half expecting to find a mess of butchered wirring & scotchblocks when I pulled out the unit, but no, its the standard un-molested 2 x multiplugs and an aerial connection.

Is this a C3 / Citroen 'oddity' and does she simply have to 'live with' turning the radio off each time, short of me molesting it to put in an 'Ignition Feed'?

NB: if anyone's got a good (reasonable) replacement OSF Wheelarch liner to fit, do shout.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

also, on a similarly minor, but irritating subject....

having changed the radio and replaced a sidelight bulb, the 'plip' function on the key (both of them) no longer works... sort of!!

having unlocked it manually (key in drivers door triggers all 5 locks no problem) it'll then work, immediately following and lock & unlock at will using the little button on either key.... but leave it 15mins and try again and its back to needing to put the key in the door.

its a bit weird that having done such a minor little two jobs, the keys are playing silly b*****r's

I was a bit tempted to remove the battery, let it stand 10mins and reconnect, but am frankly a bit concerned that it'll really throw its rattle out of the pram if I do and some rather more serious electrical gremlin 'll present itself.

Modern cars with computers are all new to me.

[GiveMeABreak]

Have you tried to re-synch the key fobs?
Key in ignition, ignition on, hold down lock button on fob for up to 10 seconds, ignition off, key out, close doors, push lock button on fob and unlock, then start car.

That should re-synch the fobs.

Re the audio - aftermarket systems can play havoc if not compatible with the car's wiring. You have to remember that cars today have multiplexed electronics and use less wiring by sending coded pulses or signals along the various car wiring networks. If it meets a piece of equipment that isn't CAN compatible, it can interfere with the signals (or not pass them on) and this can in turn start impacting on other equipment on the vehicle that may seem unrelated at the time!

In your example above, the lighting controls, remote audio controls, immobiliser system are all connected via the steering wheel switch module, so whatever audio system you have put in may be interfering with some of the operations.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

thanks Marc, will be trying that with the keys and also refitting the stereo that it came with

[Richard_C]

We had a similar model and I thought about replacing the radio with one that would connect to the phone via bluetooth. Then I realized that the only way to change the time and date on the central display or access some of the information menu was by using the buttons on the standard fit radio so gave up on it. Strikes me that any non standard radio is a bit of a nightmare in any modern car.

The re synch key fob should work for you, did for me a couple of times.

[Hell Razor5543]

It might be worth checking the fuses re the 'Aux/Radio' issues. There is a current thread (I think it is related to a Xantia) that says some Citroens have a fuse option to allow for certain equipment to be set to "Switched Live" or "Permanent Live". If you were to look in the owners handbook and find which fuse is linked to the radio you might find it has this option. Most fuses plug into a socket with two holes (so only one possible position), but option fuses have three holes, so allow for two positions.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

thanks Guys !

[GiveMeABreak]

It might be worth checking the fuses re the 'Aux/Radio' issues. There is a current thread (I think it is related to a Xantia) that says some Citroens have a fuse option to allow for certain equipment to be set to "Switched Live" or "Permanent Live". If you were to look in the owners handbook and find which fuse is linked to the radio you might find it has this option. Most fuses plug into a socket with two holes (so only one possible position), but option fuses have three holes, so allow for two positions.

Not on the C3 James. Only a standard fuse.

[myglaren]

I'll ask my daughter, she has a C3

[wheeler]

If you want the aftermarket radio ignition switched, you need to either run a new ignition switch to the radio (cig lighter is ideal for this). You can also get adapters that create a 'fake' ignition live now.
The plip not working will almost certainly be caused by an incorrectly fitted aftermarket radio. Although the plugs on the car may fit the new radio they are not plug & play. Aside from the speakers & aerial there should only be 3 wires from the car connected to the new radio.

[myglaren]

Took a while but yes, Annika's C3 radio comes on and goes off with the ignition (as does my C5)
Her other two did as well.

[GiveMeABreak]

All to do with the multiplexing, so for example the stereo can run for a certain amount of time with ignition off before economy mode kicks in determined by the BSI. That aftermarket unit without the proper harness or adapter that wheeler mentioned will upset the system.

[myglaren]

Annika's doesn't seem to have economy mode though.
Not sure which one she has apart from 1.2 petrol.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

thanks again guys
nice name by the way, Annika

[myglaren]

She was born in Sweden, common Swedish name