Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

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

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

My daughter's C4 is giving me a charging puzzle. Often when she's driving it would appear that nothing is wrong, but after 45 minutes of driving, the stop light and the charging light comes on. When the car is started later, both lights are often off and apparently everything is OK, but with the engine running and a multimeter across the positive battery terminal and the engine, there's only 12.6 volt output. So obviously it's not right. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.
Last edited by GiveMeABreak on 28 Apr 2018, 17:36, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Corrected Title to Avoid Confusion
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
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 5644

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Basically, the alternator is not charging the battery and that is why the charging warning is coming on - it should be about 14.3 14.7 V when it is charging the battery.

So be wary that without a charge, the battery will very soon discharge - especially with any accessory equipment on. So either your alternator is duff o the battery isn't accepting a charge. I expect the alternator.

If you want the part number let me know and PM your VIN or Reg if you're not sure.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 28 Apr 2018, 17:41 - it should be about 14.3 14.7 V when it is charging the battery.


Thanks for your reply. Yes I would have expected 14.7 with the engine running. Just very occasionally does the multimeter flick to 14+ but quickly reverts to 12.5 But with the low charge reading, why is the alternator light not on all the time?
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
User avatar
bobins
Donor 2023
Posts: 5697
Joined: 05 Jul 2012, 18:07
Location: Midhurst, West Sussex
My Cars: Kia Sportage
Mazda BT-50
Land Rover SIII SWB
V-F-R800
SL320
MX5
x 2871

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by bobins »

Best to hook it up to a Lexia / Diagbox to check what's going on. Modern alternators can have strange charging characteristics whereby they'll charge as and when they want to save emissions / battery life / etc - they'll make a point of charging during deceleration and/or braking. The fault could be in the battery, alternator, or BSI / ECU.
Has it had a new battery fitted recently ?
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

bobins wrote: 28 Apr 2018, 20:22
Has it had a new battery fitted recently ?


Seven months ago.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
User avatar
bobins
Donor 2023
Posts: 5697
Joined: 05 Jul 2012, 18:07
Location: Midhurst, West Sussex
My Cars: Kia Sportage
Mazda BT-50
Land Rover SIII SWB
V-F-R800
SL320
MX5
x 2871

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by bobins »

A question directed more at GiveMeABreak (Marc) - any ideas if a 2014 C4 would need a battery initialisation on fitting a new battery - i.e. does the BSI need to be told a new ones been fitted ?
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
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 5644

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Battery type is selectable, but necessary to tel, the BSI it has been replaced Robin.

Unless this is a Stop Start model, which has a reversible alternator, it should just be a standard unit. But it should at standstill and without a regeneration taking place deliver the 14.7 V. If you have access to a Lexia, see what codes are being recorded. Has the vehicle been a victim of flood water getting into the unit?
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 28 Apr 2018, 21:33 Has the vehicle been a victim of flood water getting into the unit?


I don't have a Lexia. No - the car hasn't been flooded. Since last September with the new battery, it has performed faultlessly. It was only last weekend that the alternator and stop lights came on. But sometimes the lights don't show but there's still only 12.5 showing on the meter with the engine running.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
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 5644

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Definitely not supposed to do that under normal conditions as I said, The only time the alternator really varies the output is to increase load on the engine when doing a regeneration (if needed and when commanded by the engine ECU). Normally at standstill at least, you should be getting the charging voltage.

So I would get it to an auto electrician where they can confirm alternator fault for you as they'll no doubt have battery testing kit too. They should be able to check the alternator output at the unit itself as opposed to the battery terminal end too, which should rule out any bad or corroded high power cables or earths
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 29 Apr 2018, 10:55 Normally at standstill at least, you should be getting the charging voltage.


Went down to look at it again this morning and it's behaving perfectly. I took it for a blast down the motorway with both lights out and when I returned used the multimeter on the battery and it showed 14.7. Now it seems as though there's nothing wrong with it. Daughter is going to use it this evening to visit so I'll check it again. Many thanks for your suggestions.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
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 5644

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, keep an eye out as it isn't happy about something - and you don't want to get caught out with a battery drain at night with lights on and all that. If it happens again I would get it checked out to be sure.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

So here's the latest on daughter's C4. For the past week she's been driving it with a plug-in voltmeter in the lighter socket and all the time she's driving, the reading is always more than 14 volts. So apparently everything is back to normal and the alternator is doing its job however, I plugged in my Autel code reader and it comes up with U1218 and U1401. When they are erased they quickly return. What's next?
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
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 5644

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Do you have the VIN? This will help identify the exact engine as the fault codes can vary depending on engine ECU.

For example the U1218 fault can relate to an intersystems CAN fault in relation to the STOP Start system. So this would assume your daughter's C4 is a SOP START vehicle and if so, that means it has a dual function alternator - to charge the car's battery and also to re-start the engine for these cars when you resume from standstill.

U1401 is Alternator LIN network: Recording of a fault on the slave node of the Alternator LIN - suspect area Alternator.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
JohnD
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2632
Joined: 14 Mar 2001, 23:41
Location: Epsom, Surrey
My Cars: 2010 Citroen C5-X7 tourer
1998 Citroen Saxo 1.5D
2018 Citroen C4-B7
1998 Peugeot 306. 1.9D
2011 Citroen C1
x 72
Contact:

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by JohnD »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 03 May 2018, 10:54 Do you have the VIN?


Thanks for your reply. The VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]******
But it doesn't have stop/start
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
1998 Pug 306 1.9D
2018 C4 B7 VTR+
2011 Citroen C1
Online
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36995
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 5644

Re: Charging Light puzzle on C4-B7

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, got it - this will tell me all I need to know - I'll have a look shortly John.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Post Reply