Help Relay in limp mode

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.
johnbud
(Donor 2023)
Posts: 2
Joined: 15 Feb 2023, 13:05

Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by johnbud »

Hi first post.
I have a 2013 relay that started up this morning in limp mode any pointers as where to start looking until i can get some Citroen specific OBD software

VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] faults i am seeing on a generic OBD reader are
P0382
P15BD
P15B9
Fuse number 17 is blowing

Engine is being restricted to 1800 revs and the glowplug lamp is flashing for around 6 seconds after the vehicle has started !
Any pointers as to where to start looking and any info on the fault codes will be much appreciated

John B
User avatar
Doo
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 490
Joined: 09 Sep 2019, 16:53
x 121

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by Doo »

johnbud wrote: 15 Feb 2023, 18:29 Hi first post.
I have a 2013 relay that started up this morning in limp mode any pointers as where to start looking until i can get some Citroen specific OBD software

VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] faults i am seeing on a generic OBD reader are
P0382
P15BD
P15B9
Fuse number 17 is blowing

Engine is being restricted to 1800 revs and the glowplug lamp is flashing for around 6 seconds after the vehicle has started !
Any pointers as to where to start looking and any info on the fault codes will be much appreciated

John B
P0382 = Glow Plug/Heater Circuit "B" malfunction
P15BD =Particle Emission Filter Plug Relay
P15B9 = Fuel Pump Particle Filter
Fuse 17 = 10amp Engine Control Unit

In layman's terms, fuel is injected into the exhaust to burn off soot. These are subject to extreme temperatures and the valves can jam up, injectors go faulty, etc. Valves tend to be motorised and if they jam, they blow the fuse.

There was a TSB (Tech Service Bulletin) for this type of fault in other models & I suspect your van missed, so you should call your local Citroen shop and ask them if your vehicle was subject to a recall for the TSB P15BE 73 or similar TSB issues.
Has anyone seen the plot? :?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 41989
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
x 6956

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Here's a little more detail for you, but there's no TSB showing for this vehicle with these fault codes, only P15BE.
Fault Code: P0382 12
Description of Fault: Pre-post heat box: Short circuit to positive.

Voltage greater than 7 V
Time for appearance of the diagnosis less than one second.

Conditions of activation of the diagnostics: With the engine running
Conditions for Fault to clear: With the engine running
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active: Deactivation of the pre-post heating glow plugs
Symptoms:
  • Starting problem
Suspect Areas:
  • Electrical harness
  • Connectors
  • Pre-post heat unit

Fault Code: P15BD 11
Description of Fault: Particle emission filter plug relay: Short circuit to earth. Voltage less than 1V.
The time of appearance of the fault code is 3s.
Conditions of activation of the diagnostics: At least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled
- With the engine running
- Ignition on
- Vehicle in motion
Conditions for Fault to clear:At least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- With the engine running
- Ignition on
- Vehicle in motion
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:
  • Switching to fuel "normal reduced flow" mode
  • Request for closing of the EGR valve
  • Prohibiting of regeneration of the particle emission filter and stopping of the requests in progress
  • Deactivation of regeneration of the after-sales particle emission filter, both static (vehicle stopped) and dynamic (vehicle on the move)
Symptoms:
  • No effects immediately perceptible to the customer
Suspect Areas:
  • Electrical harness
  • Connectors
  • Plug of the vaporiser for injection of fuel at the exhaust
  • Fuel injection at exhaust sprayer

Fault Code: P15B9 11
Description of Fault: Fuel pump from the particle filter: Short circuit to earth. The voltage is below a minimum threshold.
The time of appearance of the fault code is 3s
Conditions of activation of the diagnostics - At least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- With the engine running
- Ignition on
- Vehicle in motion
Conditions for Fault to clear: At least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled
- With the engine running
- Ignition on
- Vehicle in motion
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:
  • Switching to fuel "normal reduced flow" mode
  • Request for closing of the EGR valve
  • Prohibiting of regeneration of the particle emission filter and stopping of the requests in progress
  • Deactivation of regeneration of the after-sales particle emission filter, both static (vehicle stopped) and dynamic (vehicle on the move)
Symptoms:
  • Smoke from the exhaust
  • No effects immediately perceptible to the customer
Suspect Areas:
  • Electrical harness
  • Connectors
  • Fuse
  • Metering pump for injection of fuel into the exhaust
Please note, I'm no longer active on the Forum, so won't respond to messages.

Marc
User avatar
Doo
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 490
Joined: 09 Sep 2019, 16:53
x 121

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by Doo »

My other suspicion was a melted harness or plug, which would cause fuse to blow. Or a jammed electro valve/motor (which would allow fuse to blow).

Perusing other faults of this nature, it points to both of the possibilities.

Some days you're the pigeon, other days, you're the statue :oops:
Last edited by GiveMeABreak on 18 Feb 2023, 10:38, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed Quote (no need to quote previous post)
Has anyone seen the plot? :?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 41989
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
x 6956

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Wiring and connectors are always prime possibilities for component comms failures, so are almost always included in the suspect areas.

It's like no comms with Eolys additive pumps - some are prone to replacing these without checking the wiring from the tank that often fails half a foot away from the tank!
Please note, I'm no longer active on the Forum, so won't respond to messages.

Marc
johnbud
(Donor 2023)
Posts: 2
Joined: 15 Feb 2023, 13:05

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by johnbud »

Thanks for all the advice and help guys im about to dive in and take a look, though in starting to think fuse 17 may be another fault as it seems to be related to the AC pump, why are wiring diagrams so hard to get hold of ?

John
eddiew99
New User
Posts: 1
Joined: 28 Oct 2023, 22:13

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by eddiew99 »

did you manage to get this fixed as i have the same issue
joeirish
Posts: 4
Joined: 16 Jan 2025, 10:07
x 2

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by joeirish »

I also have the same problem on my 2013 Boxer. Currently checking the wiring for short circuit but any advice gratefully received. Cheers
joeirish
Posts: 4
Joined: 16 Jan 2025, 10:07
x 2

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by joeirish »

So no apparent wiring faults or shorting. Could this be ecu damage. If so is it repairable? All started when jump leads were attached wrong way round. Caused damage to the wiring loom which has now been sorted as far as can be tested. Any pointers or advice gratefully received. Thanks
wurlycorner
Donor 2024
Posts: 2177
Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
x 272

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by wurlycorner »

You can send ECU's off to be tested and repaired.
e.g. https://www.ecutesting.com/ (note I have no experience with them) but it would be worth putting a reasonable diagnostic tool on the vehicle first, to see if that offers any direction and can confirm if the ECU is live or dead etc.
Last edited by wurlycorner on 16 Jan 2025, 23:44, edited 1 time in total.
--
Iain

'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer
joeirish
Posts: 4
Joined: 16 Jan 2025, 10:07
x 2

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by joeirish »

Thanks. I should have said I live in Ireland. So I'm looking for a similar service over here. Lots of issues with customs etc since Brexit when items are posted to or from the UK. If anybody can recommend a similar company that does ecu testing here in Ireland that'd be great.
rockmonkey
Posts: 1
Joined: 06 Feb 2025, 15:26

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by rockmonkey »

Did anyone get to the bottom of this? I’ve got same issue and aromiser replaced as possible suspect but no joy. Fuse keeps blowing.
joeirish
Posts: 4
Joined: 16 Jan 2025, 10:07
x 2

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by joeirish »

So due to an electrical fault a number of wires in the harness in the engine compartment had melted together and were shorting. After sorting out all of these over several days and then clearing the fault codes everything is now working OK. There were luckily no issues with the ecu itself. Hopefully it will all stay working without any more issues.
Feri
Posts: 6
Joined: 14 Aug 2025, 11:03
x 1

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by Feri »

Hi Everyone,

I was on a euro-trip with our 2012 Euro5 2.2 Citroen Relay camper and a week ago on our way home the we broke down in Andorra. The same error coded with the blown fuse17 are the issue.
Took it to a garage where they tried all they could and because no melted wires could be found they said it’s a faulty fusebox so being in Andorra everything takes a long time to arrive.
I flew back to the UK with my family and bought a fuse box, a heating element, dpf sensor and flew back yesterday to get them fitted.
All was fitted but the dame issue is happening and i’m a but desperate now as I just flew back with all these parts, van not go back to work, i’m over 800 miles from home and to take the van home with a trailer will cost me in the thousands. Please help with advices, experienced, fixes, pictures anything really.
wurlycorner
Donor 2024
Posts: 2177
Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
x 272

Re: Help Relay in limp mode

Unread post by wurlycorner »

Only just seen this post. That’s an awful situation to find yourself in, Feri. Sorry about that. Have you managed to get it resolved?
--
Iain

'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer