Dillema with almost perfect ;) C5 2006

[citroenc5london]

Hi,
I am the proud owner of C5 MK2 Exclusive 2.0 HDi from 2006. Have it since 2016 (its my second C5) and for almost 2 years it has some electronic issues - mostly "Power Steering Faulty". From time to time my mechanic is resetting all errors but they come up again. They quoted me crazy money to diagnose but I am not convinced it could help - they are trustworthy but they could always miss something. I am thinking about learning how to do this stuff myself - buy Lexia, ask a million questions here, but at the same time, I have the relatively good budget (12k) I could spend on something more reliable, like Honda CRV. Although I really like my C5 - its super reliable - I had an episode for 2 weeks in 2017 where car was shutting down, but it passed away. I drive around 10-12 k miles every year. Except for emotional attachment (I am one of those weirdos) I think it's good for the environment to keep the car (however new ULEZ rules say differently) - and I can be wrong here. I believe the engine despite 130k miles is in good condition, not sure about the gearbox - oil was never changed I believe (it's automatic).

PS. It's a shame that C5 is discontinued

[Gibbo2286]

You will get 'power steering faulty' if the battery is a bit tired, mine when it's been standing unused for more than a few days will turn over and start but then pops up the power steering warning, let it run for a few minutes restart and all's ok again.

[citroenc5london]

You will get 'power steering faulty' if the battery is a bit tired, mine when it's been standing unused for more than a few days will turn over and start but then pops up the power steering warning, let it run for a few minutes restart and all's ok again.

Thanks, but I am afraid its not the case. I bought new battery last year, as I could not run car after first lockdown. I believe power steering faulty is there for long time now. However, recently there is some weird battery drain, which adds another issue to the list.

[GiveMeABreak]

But this can easily be the case - even with a new battery, it can discharge within weeks of little to no use, to the state where a low voltage situation can prevent some systems from operating. The vehicle is constantly monitoring systems even when not in use, depending on equipment - Alarm system, LEDs, RCD circuit (waiting for an unlocking request), Suspension triggering when a door is opened or the car is unlocked, etc., etc.

This won't be the first time this has happened. The electric power steering also has a direct feed to the car battery.

[Paul-R]

Have I missed something here? The 2006 C5 doesn't have electric power steering, does it?

[Gibbo2286]

Yes it does.

[citroenc5london]

Right, so where I can start checking this? I noticed battery voltage is around 12.20 several seconds after opening doors, and I had issues recently - had to buy charger as battery went flat - but I blame the low temperatures. I checked current yesterday and was around 0.1 A.

[GiveMeABreak]

Have I missed something here? The 2006 C5 doesn't have electric power steering, does it?

• Variable power steering depending on engine speed (falling output pump) (EW7AJ4, DV6TED4, DW12TED4)
• Variable power-steering assistance as a function of vehicle speed (constant flow pump) (ES9A)
• Electrohydraulic power steering (EW7A, EW10A, DW10BTED4, DW12BTED4)

So being a 2.0 HDi MK II it will be the DW10BTED4

[Paul-R]

So it doesn't have a pump or use the LDS fluid? I never knew.

[Gibbo2286]

It has an electric pump tucked away under the RH front wing behind the headlamp.

Incidentally my battery is only nine months old and suffered the same problem on the coldest of recent days.

I added an AA solar panel charger which helps but still not enough if left for too long without a run.

[GiveMeABreak]

So it doesn't have a pump or use the LDS fluid? I never knew.

There are at least 2 types of system used Paul.

In relation to the C5 MK II with GEP power steering it is an electrohydraulic system. So LDS fluid is supplied directly from the LDS tank to provide hydraulic assistance from an electric pump.

The other system that I currently have on the Aircross is completely electronic with no power steering fluid used at all.

[Paul-R]

The other system that I currently have on the Aircross is completely electronic with no power steering fluid used at all.

That's exactly what I mean by electric power steering. Same (or similar) to what's fitted to our 308.

If it's using LDS then it's hydraulic regardless of how the pump is operated.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, it's just the distinction I was making between the mechanical pumps and the electro pumps and the all-electronic only systems without PS fluid. And in terms of the OP's issue is relevant because the pump works directly off the battery and how a low voltage can impede function.

[lcwin]

citroen C5 will go into eco mode n switch off everything if it sense battery voltage is below a certain treshold. A lead acid battery even if its quite new will have voltage drop issues if its charge drop below 40% capacity for a few times. The battery will not have enough current discharge capacity for proper starting .
A battery is considered acceptable if its above 12.55v after resting for a few hours. Every time you start the car the voltage should not drop to less than 10.5v . A lot of people think if you can start the car then everything is ok but in cars with a lot of power electronics a marginal battery will throw up all sorts of malfuntion codes for no reasons. Its best to buy a high quality battery will higher current ratings if it can fit. I myself have been using Lipo4 battery for about 5 years in my old xantia and now C5. Only trouble is getting it install as its pretty difficult.

[dave]

I am the proud owner of C5 MK2 Exclusive 2.0 HDi from 2006.

scrapped it yet ?

on the off chance you still pop in here

treat it to a ctek trickle charger, they work wonders for keeping batteries topped up