Electrical circuit fault: have your vehicle repaired

[qwertyqaz]

Hi!

TLDR:

• "Electrical circuit fault: have your vehicle repaired" error message keeps popping up in my Citroen C4 Grand picasso from 2014

• Whenever the error message is present when I turn off the ignition, the voltage keeps dropping over time

• I bought a new AGM battery but that did not help with anything

• I measured the voltage when driving using an accurate and verified bluetooth battery monitor - the charging voltage stays in the 14.4-14.5 range

• I tried resetting the BSI which potentially helped for 2 days but then the error message came back

• I had the error messages read by a friend mechanic (see below) but he did not have a Lexia kit

My questions I have are: did anyone experience similar issues and if yes, how did you solve them? Given the above, is it worth buying a Lexia kit?


Long version:

For the past year, I have been seeing a following error message in my Citroen C4 Grand Picasso from 2014: "Electrical circuit fault: have your vehicle repaired". I tried to think about it really hard but I cannot remember if this error showed up first or if my old battery died first. Anyway, at some point, I had to start the car in the morning and the battery seemed dead. It was old so I figured that it was time to get a new one. I did, chose an AGM battery with the same parameters as the old one and installed it.
While the new battery solved the practical issue of the car not starting, the error started showing up/remained (as I mentioned, I cannot remember what came first). In short, the car would start every day without any major issues. Start/stop function not working was the main issue. It would work for couple of days when I charged the battery externally and then would get disabled again. The battery died only once when I was not using the car for about 2 weeks. I was surprised but didn't think so much of it back then. The only

The error message was coming and going, most of the time it was there, then it disappeared for around 2 months during the winter only to come back couple of weeks ago. At this stage I decided to buy one of those bluetooth battery monitors BM6 battery monitor to be specific.

It showed me couple of interesting things. First of all, whenever I drive, the battery is being charged, the voltage is around 14.4-14.5V. If the error message is there when I turn off the ignition, the voltage will gradually drop. Over 8h from 12.5V to maybe 12.3, then I drive a bit, the battery gets charged but the next time I park the car it would drop to 12.1 after another 8h (I only drive short distances) and then to 11.9V over night. It never got lower because at that stage I would just charge the battery.
If the error message ("Electrical circuit fault: have your vehicle repaired") is not there when I park, the voltage remains stable. There is essentially no drop over 8-12h.

I tried to check for a parasitic battery drain but my test showed nothing. The multimeter showed me around 19 mA to start with, then it quickly dropped to 14 mA and finally settled at 3 mA or so when all the systems went to sleep. I think that the reason was that the error message was not there when I was hooking up my meter. Then when the error message was present, I tried to check all the fuses for a slight voltage drop as I have seen suggested in some videos (set the multimeter to mV and look for the tiniest voltage drop when probing the fuse). That test gave me nothing. There were 2 fuses, one showed 0.4mV and the other 1.1mV but I understand that this is too little to cause any issues.

I also tried resetting the BSI with the instructions from this forum. I believe that I manage the first time and the error message was gone (coincidence or not). Then when the error message came back, I tried resetting the BSI 3x more times but I think I might have failed every single time because the message never disappeared. The first time I performed the reset, at the last steps when you are supposed to lock the car, the side mirrors did not fold. Then the next 3x I tried, they always did - not sure if that (mirrors not folding) is a sign of a failed reset or not.

I had a car mechanic read out the error codes but this was not done with Lexia. They only had an iCarSoft unit. We got the following errors:

U1F00 - Error event is not stored in the error log
B173D - Error identifying the mechanical / electronic key or hands-free remote control located in the reader
B1808 - Engine management ECU immobilizer reading error
B2EA0 - Service parameters configured incorrectly error
B1624 - Accessory Protection and Management Unit: Central Switch Positive Relay Status Fault
B1627 - Battery Charge Status Unit: Voltage Sensor Failure (this sounds of course interesting, however the battery seems to always be charged properly)
B173A - Driver's door presence detection error
U1F40 - Lack of communication with the battery charge status control unit (this one sounds fishy)

After this extremely long introduction, my question is if anyone experienced similar issues and if yes, how did you solve them? I have seen couple of post but many did not suggest any solutions in the end. It seems that the typical route was buying a new batter, new alternator, programming the correct car battery capacity in the car computer etc etc. I feel that I have quite a lot of data. Almost uninterrupted voltage and SoC data for the past 2 weeks, the error codes from a car + some tests and observations.

My second question is if you think that it is worth buying a Lexia 3 kit to read out the error messages more precisely?

I would really appreciate your help!

[GiveMeABreak]

On these vehicles the Battery Charge Status Unit is attached to the negative cable of the battery. It is responsible for monitoring the battery health and temperature and it uses this data to advise the BSI in the application of the energy management of the vehicle (fine tuning of the economy mode). If this unit is faulty it will be providing incorrect data and resulting in a possible fault.

When you changed the vehicle battery, did you replace it with the correct type (like for like) and specification. The type of battery fitted at factory is configured in the BCSU and if you have replaced it with a different battery is should be correctly configured as to the level.

Further, don't keep disconnecting the battery. In order for the BCSU to reset it's parameters it needs a period of rest (without use of the vehicle or unlocking / opening the doors) of a minimum of 4 hours, but ideally longer.

Having said all that, I think you have another issue relating to the supplies protection unit.

Provide your VIN (please post your VIN in full without spaces - it will be automatically masked from public view after submitting your post & will only be visible to staff) and I will have a look at the codes for you.

[qwertyqaz]

Hi! Thank you so much for your answer. About the battery: I actually changed it twice. The first time I had no time to pick and choose, I had to get one immediately so I got one that was an own brand of one of the stores where I live. My mechanic kind of convinced me (he was blaming the issues on the battery so I let it go) to return that battery and get another one of a good brand. Both of the batteries had the same parameters as the original one: 70Ah, 760A, AGM but they were not the same brand. What do you mean by configuring to the level? Setting the battery capacity in the computer?

Regarding the BCSU, is there any way to inspect or test it? Most of the time, the car has the whole night of uninterrupted rest. It is only recently that I begun trying to reset the BSI.

My VIN number is: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
It would be amazing if you could tell me anything else based on it. So how does it work? Are the error codes sort of scrambled and only readable based on the VIN number? Or do you need an exact model and manufacturing date? Just out of curiosity. I tried googling the error codes but got nothing. I thought that I could not get anything because the computer used to get the codes was not a Lexia.

[GiveMeABreak]

This is all I have on these:

Fault Code:	B1627
Description of Fault:	Battery charge status unit: Voltage sensor fault. The voltage measured is outside the range (Lower than 3V or higher than 18V). The sensor inside the unit is in short-circuit to earth or in open circuit.
Conditions for Fault to clear:	The voltage measured is between 3V and 18V
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:	Change to energy economy mode 5 minutes after cutting of the engine. "Economy Mode Active" message. Flashing of the battery warning lamp for 7 seconds.
Symptoms:	Change to energy economy mode after cutting off the engine
Suspect Areas:	Battery charge status unit Built-in systems interface

Fault Code:	U1F40 87
Description of Fault:	Fault: absence of communication with the battery charge status control unit. No communication with the battery charge status unit (Between 1,6 and 2,4 seconds).
Conditions for Fault to clear:	Return of communication for between 1,6 s and 2,4 s
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:	Change to energy economy mode 5 minutes after cutting of the engine. "Economy Mode Active" message (Ignition on and engine stopped) Flashing of the battery warning lamp for 7 seconds (Ignition on and engine stopped)
Symptoms:	Certain vehicle functions are unavailable
Suspect Areas:	Supply of the battery charge status control unit LIN Battery charge status unit Supplies protection and management unit

B1624 72 Supplies protection and management unit: Central power switch positive (+CPC) relay status fault: Relay opened
B1624 73 Supplies protection and management unit: Central power switch positive (+CPC) relay status fault: Relay closed

Fault Code:	B2EA0 00
Description of Fault:	Maintenance parameters incorrectly configured. Description of the diagnostics Possibility 1: The BSI configuration parameter "maintenance threshold" is equal to 0 Possibility 2: The BSI configuration parameter "time before maintenance" is equal to 0 Conditions of activation of the diagnostics The following conditions have to be met: - Presence of the ignition positive - During the configuration of the built-in systems interface
Conditions for Fault to clear:	The BSI configuration parameter "time before maintenance" is different from 0 The BSI configuration parameter "maintenance threshold" is different from 0
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:	-
Symptoms:	Displaying of dashes when the service reminder button is pressed
Suspect Areas:	Built-in systems interface

[qwertyqaz]

Hi! Thank you for your reply. It seems like the explanations are in line with what I am experiencing. I was curious to what Lexia would show so I got the unit.

I am trying to use it with Diagbox 9.91. I am having an issue with it though. I think that the HW is fine because the computer recognizes it and I think I get some sort of communication with the car because when the tests is related to the car radio, I see a message saying that the testing procedure is ongoing or something like that.

First of all, should I be using Diagbox or Lexia for my Citroen C4 gp from 2015 and should the ignition or engine be on or off (I tried all options)
When I choose Lexia and run the global test, I get dialogue "NO" with BSI, dialogue "YES" for injection/ignition and "?" under fault and no communication for deflation detection. When I tried Diagbox, I get no communication almost everywhere. In some cases I could get a version of the component or something like that.
Does anyone know what this might be related to? Something wrong with the Lexia hardware/software? Error on my end?

[GiveMeABreak]

The software should automatically launch Diagbox given the year of the car. Lexia is for older cars pre about pre-2008, and won't be any good for this vehicle of this year.

So you should be running Diagbox only.

[qwertyqaz]

Thank you. Any idea why it might not detect the vehicle and VIN and why essentially all tests would show no communication starting with the BSI? At the same time, as I mentioned above, during the radio/screen test, I can see the information about it showing up on the car's screen. It seems like there is some very basic communication which makes me believe that the connection between the car and the computer is established but it is on a very minimal level. I believe I tried running the test both with the key not in the holder, in the holder, with ignition on and with the engine running.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, that's a very typical problem if the unit you have is not a full chip full CAN version. There are some cheaper clones out there with missing hardware and you need a full chip interface to communicate with later vehicles.

Make sure you are running your laptop on mains power, make sure power saving is off and in advanced power saving options, make sure you do not have the power saving for USB ports enabled as that can affect communication.

The other possibility is if you have this running in a virtual machine and not natively - as again USB ports may need enabling - but it's not my preferred method - I prefer to use it directly from a direct install.

[qwertyqaz]

Hi Marc,

Thank you for your reply. I had a second look at my setup and managed to establish communication between the car and Lexia. I am running a virtual machine - I do not have access to a 32 bit system at the moment.

I tried clearing all of the BSI faults and I am left with 3: U1F00 00, B2EA0 00, B1624 73 (cause: Distant, Status: Present, Features: Relay closed).

I saw your post in one of other thread where you offered to look at the circuit to locate where the positive relay from the error B1624 73 is. Could you please kindly look it up for me? Is there any chance that I would be able to replace the relay myself?
Are the other 2 errors something to be worried about?

Thank you!

[GiveMeABreak]

The Electrical supplies protection and management unit is a complete unit with ECU, and apart from fuses contained there are no use replaceable relays. These are sold as complete units.

[qwertyqaz]

Thank you, I understand. I think I got to the point where I just need to visit a car electrician. Now I started getting more errors related to the engine management ECU:
Engine management ECU:

• U1109 87 Communication fault with the gearbox ECU
  P16A6 13 Control of the crankcase fumes heater
  P16A6 11 Control of the crankcase fumes heater
  P2687 00 Control of the fuel heater

Quite many of those and some related to the BSI pointed to short circuit to earth or open circuit. Is that something I could check? I tried to follow the grounding cable attached to the negative terminal of the battery based on some tips you wrote above or in another thread but the cables continue out of reach beyond the engine compartment or "under the hood" space.

[GiveMeABreak]

It really does need looking at to confirm if it is the supplies unit, the fusebox etc. In these situations, I would recommend you pay Citroen for a diagnostic and let them confirm which board (if any) it is, otherwise you will end up spending money with garages that most likely will want to replace parts without knowing for sure.

[qwertyqaz]

Thank you, sounds like a good tip. Would Citroen be able to read out the faults more accurately or do you mean that they could check it hands on and then depending on the cost I can choose to pay them to fix it or visit another car electrician? I checked that the error message readout alone would cost more than the cost of Lexia here in Sweden, that's why I decided to get my own unit at least for the first assessment
Related to the gearbox ECU, it was my mistake. I saw with Lexia that when I have the electrical fault error message, 0,59A is constantly drawn. I was checking the fuses to see which ones are related to the current being drawn and I re-inserted one incorrectly. Related to that, I looked at the fusebox diagrams both online and in the manual that came with my car but they simply don't match the reality. Some slots are empty in the diagram while I have fuses in my car, for some it is the other way around and in some cases it seems like the I have the wrong type. One of the diagrams I found online matches my car almost entirely but is there a good way to find a diagram meant for my exact configuration?

[GiveMeABreak]

Which Fusebox? Engine ECU, BSI, BCP3 Relay Protection Fuses), BPGA (electrical supplies protection and management unit), BFH5 (passenger compartment 5-fuse box), BMF4 (maxi fuse unit ), BFH3 (cabin relay fusebox 1), BFRM (engine fuse and relay box)...

[Betematty]

Hi just wondering if the poster resolved the issue as we are having the exact same issue and wondering if it’s to do with the electrical supply management and protection unit that lives on top of the battery ? It’s a 2015 model which we have owned from new.