Hello French Car people, I’m hoping someone can confirm or deny that a few issues I’m having are battery related.
Start/stop: this has never worked in the two years I’ve owned the car. I didn’t realise it had start/stop initially so left it too late to get the dealer to fix it.
Electric tailgate: about half the time, when I try to open it I get one long beep and it only opens the first half an inch or so. Trying again has always worked, but sometimes it takes three or four goes.
Engine fault warning: more recently (last month or so), around half the time when I start the engine is displays ‘Engine fault, get the car repaired’ or similar wording and the service light comes on. However the car drives normally and if I turn the ignition off and back on it usually clears.
I’ve read online that Citroens can throw up seemingly unrelated issues when the battery starts to let go, does this sound like a likely cause?
Any help or pointers appreciated, thanks in advance. I don’t have a voltmeter but think I know someone who does, so will try to give that a go.
C4 Picasso - battery issue?
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
1) Start Stop operation is dependent upon the Car Battery or the Stop Start Ultra-Capacitor (depending on which system is fitted to your vehicle) as well as a load of conditions for operation.
2) Tailgate issues again can be related to car battery - if the battery is over 5 years old - time to replace it.
3) The vehicle needs a diagnostic to determine the Engine fault. It may be emissions related - but until you have a code we can't help.
4) Yes but for all vehicles not just Citroens. Modern electronics require a certain voltage and a poor battery can affect ECU operation.
5) So first port of call is to ascertain battery health and by this that doesn't mean just because it starts the car it's ok! Battery capacity diminishes the older it gets.
If replacing the battery, follow the relevant parts of the BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure
2) Tailgate issues again can be related to car battery - if the battery is over 5 years old - time to replace it.
3) The vehicle needs a diagnostic to determine the Engine fault. It may be emissions related - but until you have a code we can't help.
4) Yes but for all vehicles not just Citroens. Modern electronics require a certain voltage and a poor battery can affect ECU operation.
5) So first port of call is to ascertain battery health and by this that doesn't mean just because it starts the car it's ok! Battery capacity diminishes the older it gets.
If replacing the battery, follow the relevant parts of the BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure
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Marc
Marc
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
Great, some good starting points there! Thank you. When you say first port of call is assessing battery health, is that done just based on voltage?
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
No, it requires a battery health test, which involves a convoluted procedure to obtain the actual battery percentage and leaving disconnected overnight etc.... of which the resulting measurement in the morning will determine battery health. But there are specific battery health testers that can be bought - as I said volts isn't a test of health, it's all about capacity and ability to hold a charge.
That's why we say generally say a battery over 5 years of age needs replacing - especially on modern vehicles that have a lot of electronic equipment to operate. If you provide your VIN I can determine if you have the separate Stop Start electronics & equipment I mentioned. 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.
That's why we say generally say a battery over 5 years of age needs replacing - especially on modern vehicles that have a lot of electronic equipment to operate. If you provide your VIN I can determine if you have the separate Stop Start electronics & equipment I mentioned. 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.
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Marc
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
Ok, I can get my hands on an OBD2 reader today (albeit a cheap Amazon one) so I’ll see what that says and get the VIN. Thanks for your advice
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
Ok, but be aware cheap OBD II readers will not be able to read constructor-specific codes - only basic OBD II data which may not help.
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Marc
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
OK, the OBD2 didn’t show anything but I wasn’t able to reproduce the fault message so that’s inconclusive. I do have a feeling it happens when I park facing uphill, but I can’t say for sure. Moved the car so it’s facing uphill now and will try again later.
VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
Ok, as suspected you have all the older Stop Start gubbins, all hidden behind the front passenger wheel arch lining (do not attempt to remove this yourself due to high voltage capacitor - system must be properly discharged with specialist equipment before handling and removing).
So it may be that the Ultracapacitor / energy accumulator is end of life (given that you vehicle was built on 20th October 2014, it has done over 10 years of service), so is likely in need of some maintenance . replacement of some components.
It's what we're all going to have to face no doubt when forced into these dreadful EVs. 8-10 years and your car's worthless.
So it may be that the Ultracapacitor / energy accumulator is end of life (given that you vehicle was built on 20th October 2014, it has done over 10 years of service), so is likely in need of some maintenance . replacement of some components.
It's what we're all going to have to face no doubt when forced into these dreadful EVs. 8-10 years and your car's worthless.
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Marc
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
That sounds like a much bigger job, I think I’ll leave it alone - the temperamental tailgate is more annoying day to day. I’ve been driving around a bit today and the car has been behaving perfectly, no sign of a warning light or tailgate hesitation. I couldn’t have unknowing done some sort of reset by turning the ignition on and off several times trying to replicate the issue, could I?
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Re: C4 Picasso - battery issue?
Not advisable, but that tailgate issue may indeed me battery related - so if you suspect the battery is over 5 years, best to replace it. Economy mode will also kick in when the battery is in a wakened state, limiting use of accessories when the engine is switched off and it can take some extended driving to replenish charge (as it is still also powering all the required systems when the engine is running).
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Marc
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