C4 Picasso 2011 1.6e-Hdi

[rmunns]

Yes, I've still got the ****** thing. My 5th Citroen purchase turned out to be a dog from day one. The legal case against the previous owner for selling a car without declaring a fault (didn't show up on test drive and the computer memory had been erased) has stymied because of the lockdown. It needs a new battery and I have had one delivered, but I'm a bit apprehensive about fixing it - from what I've seen on Youtube it's a bit of a b***er to get out and in. There are two or three issues I'm not sure about: can I 'just' take out the old battery and refit the new one without doing anything else? Is the fusebox sitting on the battery a problem?
Apart from the removal/refitting, what is the whistling noise you get when opening the driver's door? The car has always done this and I seem to recall my (much missed) C5 doing this noise as well.
Finally, I am suspicious about the (old) battery going down; maybe there is a short, or something is taking power when it shouldn't. I intend having a current meter handy as I am putting on the new battery and checking, before I connect up the +ve connector, whether there is any current flowing. If everything is correct with the car, should this current be zero?

I hope I am being sensible.

[GiveMeABreak]

Just make sure you follow the BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure as there are such a lot of electronics on these you don't want anymore issues. Make sure you follow the timings. There are specifics marked in the procedure for Stop Start, Keyless Entry and for those with Electrically opening and closing Tailgate that can be ignored where appropriate.

[rmunns]

Thanks Marc

Seems a bit daunting to electronic simpletons like me, but clear enough.

Just a rider question: to get to the -ve on this car it is necessary to take off the fuses (or whatever they are) from the top of the battery. Is this a problem?

[GiveMeABreak]

Here's a video for a Grand Picasso - but should be the same or similar Roger - much easier than explaining:

[rmunns]

Thanks so much, Marc. I'll tackle it tomorrow.

[rmunns]

Hi again Marc.................. your video was good, very slightly different to my fixing, but only very slightly.

The car is May 2011, so I was very very surprised to see the date on the battery I took out was 06 10 2010 - the original!

Just one thing came out of the job. When I connected the +ve terminal (last thing to do) there was a spark. More than a tiny 'click' but certainly not a 'flash'. Just a small spark. Is this normal?

[GiveMeABreak]

Wrong order Roger....

When disconnecting, take off Negative first.
When reconnecting attach the negative last.

The way to remember it is:

When disconnecting the battery you are ' - Subtracting' the cables - so Negative cable off first.
When reconnecting you are '+ Adding' the cables, so connect Positive first

[rmunns]

Thanks again.

The destructions showed the +ve last - indeed the fitting and position is so awkward and difficult that it is impossible to put -ve terminal on last. Thanks, however, for the nemonic.