Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 can't start on small uphill

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GalianoGalianei
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Joined: 02 Feb 2025, 11:05

Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 can't start on small uphill

Unread post by GalianoGalianei »

Hello everyone,
last night I parked my car Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 on a small uphill(entrance to a garage) and usually everything works fine. Last night when it was around -1 degrees Celsius, I turned my key and it said Economy mode activated and the car wouldn't turn on, when the car key is turned, I could only hear some quick noise like a spark or something (happens every time I try to start the car). I can't even get my car downhill from there because it is fully steered to left so I would fall from uphill.
Does anyone know what causes this and how to fix it?
Thanks in advance.
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 can't start on small uphill

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Likely to be either the car battery is in poor health and or the starter.

If it's a rapid clicking when starting, then likely to be the battery is weak - starter contacts are opening and closing due to insufficient power to keep them closed.
If a single click then it may be the contacts are stuck - sometimes tapping the starter with a hammer will release them.

But certainly if your battery is over 5 years old - time to replace it.
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Marc
GalianoGalianei
Posts: 5
Joined: 02 Feb 2025, 11:05

Re: Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 can't start on small uphill

Unread post by GalianoGalianei »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 02 Feb 2025, 11:39 Likely to be either the car battery is in poor health and or the starter.

If it's a rapid clicking when starting, then likely to be the battery is weak - starter contacts are opening and closing doe to insufficient power to keep them closed.
If a single click then it may be the contacts are stuck - sometimes tapping the starter with a hammer will release them.

But certainly if your battery is over 5 years old - time to replace it.
Thanks for the reply.
It is a single click if I turn it once, but if I hold the turned key, it is rapid, car trying to power up and shutting down and it goes in cycles. Worst part is that my car is fully steered to the left on my friends garage uphill, I don't know how to get it down from the uphill since even the steering wheel is locked so I can't straighten the wheels. Thanks again.
PaulC5
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Re: Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 can't start on small uphill

Unread post by PaulC5 »

Try to jump start it from another car which should work if it is the battery or you could remove the battery and charge it up. If you are going to disconnect the battery, follow a bsi reset procedure to make sure you do not cause odd electrical problems by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery too quickly.

bsi reset procedure - https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... 51&t=61997

Have you tried turning the steering wheel with the key in the ignition lock ?
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Citroen C5 Tourer 2010 can't start on small uphill

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

GalianoGalianei wrote: 02 Feb 2025, 11:48
GiveMeABreak wrote: 02 Feb 2025, 11:39 Likely to be either the car battery is in poor health and or the starter.

If it's a rapid clicking when starting, then likely to be the battery is weak - starter contacts are opening and closing doe to insufficient power to keep them closed.
If a single click then it may be the contacts are stuck - sometimes tapping the starter with a hammer will release them.

But certainly if your battery is over 5 years old - time to replace it.
Thanks for the reply.
It is a single click if I turn it once, but if I hold the turned key, it is rapid, car trying to power up and shutting down and it goes in cycles. Worst part is that my car is fully steered to the left on my friends garage uphill, I don't know how to get it down from the uphill since even the steering wheel is locked so I can't straighten the wheels. Thanks again.
On your model the power steering is electrically operated directly from the battery. Therefore you really need to get either another battery attached to provide enough power for operation and to start the vehicle. The steering lock can be a problem especially if you have parked it with the wheels turned into the kerb where it may prevent the steering lock from disengaging.

You'll need to try turning the wheel gently but firmly with the key in the ignition and then gently also turning the key to try and release the lock.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc