SOS Light Flashing Orange

[Sloppysod]

Following on from Earlier post regarding the SOS light on my C5 flashing for about the first 5 minutes of motoring.
viewtopic.php?t=73975
Reply from Marc suggested I should see fault code FD87 - Which I don't

You need to check if you have this fault code coming up Stu: FD87. If so, it's a replacement of the Independent Telematic Unit. If not, a solid orange light means the internal telematic unit battery needs replacing. If it's only a temporary flash, it may mean the battery is getting weaker and not holding as much charge.

After carrying out a full Global test and willing to ignore most of the faults as I could explain them away


Expert /Global test /Node 3 /Standard parameter measurement /Condition of the back-up battery

• Communication time available (emergency call) - More than 15 minutes - Is this low? or is it because I had the engine running and it charged up a bit?

In Marcs earlier post he said I should expect fault code FD87, however, I've got a FD80 code which has probably got something to the battery.
So is this the correct part (6579KT)?... @ £60-£125 - Ouch
Bit peeved, as this will never be used after the December!

[GiveMeABreak]

Let me check out the other code.... but for now I wouldn't change the battery as this code you have indicated another issue. The batteries are no longer available form Citroen in any case Stu and were £78 when they were available.

So I'm assuming you haven't changed the Head Unit and that it's still the RD4?

Ok, if so, FD80:

Fault Code:	FD80
Description of Fault:	GSM module internal fault: Not characterised. Internal GSM module start-up error. The following conditions have to be met: Possibility 1 - Ignition on - Vehicle stopped (Apart from in economy mode) The following conditions have to be met: Possibility 2: Engine running
Conditions for Fault to clear:	Successful start-up of the internal GSM module
Downgrade Modes whilst Fault is active:	No Downgrade Modes, but the independent telematic unit or service module malfunction warning lamp flashes orange
Symptoms:	Impossible to receive or make a service call
Suspect Areas:	GSM module internal fault GSM aerial wire link

[Sloppysod]

Cheers Marc,
Yes, still RD4 radio.
As batteries are unavailable I was thinking of replacing it with a similar one.... If/when I got around to it.
So reading the diagnosis above, if the unit has a fault it flashes the orange LED until the fault has cleared, so when the LED stays off, fault no longer present, the LED goes off after 5 mins(ish) so fault 'fixes' itself.
I can't disconnect the unit because it's connected to the airbag system. So, for now, I will check the antenna link and just ignore it as the next step is to replace the unit, if available, or with one from a car breakers that may have same issue.
Could it be that the system takes a while to connect to the 2G network, therefore, what will happen when the SOS system ends, will everyones buttons flash as no contact can be made to the service?
Did all C5's have this button?
Thanks again

[GiveMeABreak]

I've been in contact with Citroen regarding this for my own reasons regarding the cut off of the 3G network towards the end of this year.

After a call back from Citroen customer services. It would seem that later vehicles fitted with independent telematic units (so Aircross vehicles in this case with SOS and the Citroen Chevrons buttons in the roof) don't use 3G or 4G. They use a satellite for communication.

However if your vehicle uses a SIM card (mostly older vehicles fitted with RT3, RT4, RT5 or with a services Module (like the NG4 Navidrive 3D) then it may be a different story.

So if not sure, best contact Citroen Customer Care to find out how this applies to individual vehicles.

[helltourist]

Cheers Marc,
Yes, still RD4 radio.
As batteries are unavailable I was thinking of replacing it with a similar one.... If/when I got around to it.
So reading the diagnosis above, if the unit has a fault it flashes the orange LED until the fault has cleared, so when the LED stays off, fault no longer present, the LED goes off after 5 mins(ish) so fault 'fixes' itself.
I can't disconnect the unit because it's connected to the airbag system. So, for now, I will check the antenna link and just ignore it as the next step is to replace the unit, if available, or with one from a car breakers that may have same issue.
Could it be that the system takes a while to connect to the 2G network, therefore, what will happen when the SOS system ends, will everyones buttons flash as no contact can be made to the service?
Did all C5's have this button?
Thanks again

Did you manage to solve the problem?
Since a few days I have the same issue with the SOS LED flashing for some minutes until it goes off.
After a global test there is the expected FD80 code and the diagnostic says that the back-up battery is good as it has more than 15 minutes communication time.
If I try to press the button for 2 seconds then it seems to work as it says that it would start a call, but after cancelling it the flashing continues.
The only difference is that I have a factory fitted RT6 system.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so if the orange light stays solid, it's the battery that needs replacing, but if it flashes, then there's an internal fault with the GSM Module. The FD80 fault is non-descriptive, so just means literally that - an internal fault.

[Sloppysod]

Did you manage to solve the problem?
Since a few days I have the same issue with the SOS LED flashing for some minutes until it goes off.
After a global test there is the expected FD80 code and the diagnostic says that the back-up battery is good as it has more than 15 minutes communication time.
If I try to press the button for 2 seconds then it seems to work as it says that it would start a call, but after cancelling it the flashing continues.
The only difference is that I have a factory fitted RT6 system.

Hi Sorry, I did not fix the flashing light issue, I think its decided enough was enough and just stopped! Could be that Citroen turned off that type of the SOS feature in the UK.