Eolys in C5 Tourer - Quick bit of advice needed!

[Argos69]

So here I am on holiday when the C5 Tourer throws up a new and unexpected fault - again!

"Particle filter additive level too low: Repair needed"

Ok, I've read as many posts on the forum as I can find, but none helps me with my problem. So a quick bit of advice would be hugely helpful.

I went to a citroen dealership (in France) and they didn't have time to take the job in, but did have time to sell me a 3 litre can and filling kit for my car (it had the correct green filler clip).
(A 2013 C5 2.2HDi Tourer automatic. VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff])
I got the car up on ramps and with the aid of my beautiful assistant, filled the tank and replaced the terribly designed under shield. It took all 3 litres!
So, on to Diagbox. I have 4 versions on my laptop and (being a Citroen victim of many years), also have my full chip VCI with me.

Despite watching several videos, I cannot clear/reset the error! I've tried going in via "Pack Repair" on all 4 versions of Diagbox and get the same thing. A request to enter the mileage and then it says "Erase Faults Failed". I then click the tick box to acknowledge, then sometimes get a "Communication Error" message, but not always......

Hate being beaten by the d@mn thing, but it's got me!

I'm driving back to the UK tomorrow (via a ferry for the comedians out there!), so is it ok to drive?
Doesn't seem to have gone into "limp home mode", even though my mate said his did.

Any help that doesn't involve pushing the car into a ravine is very welcome!
Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

You can just perform a global test, wait for it to complete, then select the engine ECU from the detected ECUs, confirm, then this will take you into various sub-menus. You will have to look around, but you are looking for DPF operations, and there should be an option to reset the additive counter. Note, this is not a fault clearing routine, it's an additive counter reset operation that will guide you.

Pack repiar is another option, but these can differ from version to version, so the above should get your there.

I would say that multiple co-existing version of Diagbox are NOT recommended as they can inherently interfere with each other.

[Argos69]

Hi Marc and thanks.
Just tried the Global Test route, but it just ends up on "Pack Repair" or "Personalised.....whatever option", then it ultimately just gets me to the error message about failing to erase faults each time. My VCI has never let me down in over 5 years, hope it's not faulty now!

Sorry, I wasn't clear on my first posting. The Diagbox versions are all on virtual machines on the laptop, so there's no "interference" as such and the wifi is disabled for good measure.

Any feelings on continuing to drive the car?

Thanks again. A holiday wouldn't be a holiday without an error message!

[GiveMeABreak]

Pack repair is also the place - you need to go into that and again look for the operations concerning the DPF system.

So as long as there is fluid in the additive tank - at least it will not dry run the pump now, so you should be good for driving and if doing a good run, the vehicle should regenerate passively in any case as you'll likely be having high exhaust gas temperatures with long runs.

[Argos69]

Ok,
So after trying everything I could think of and assuming I had a VCI fault, I sat with a few beers and my laptop and read every post I could find on every forum I could find.

And then the penny dropped. Some guy pointed out that, for him, it only worked when he switched the ignition on WITHOUT starting the car! So I tried it and it worked perfectly. I got something like "learning complete" instead of an error.

and so, yet another Valuable lesson learned! I've always had the engine running when using Diagbox because of car battery issues, but never thought anything of it. It was simply habit.

Anyhow, if it helps someone else, I'll happily accept a whack from the "stupid stick".

[wheeler]

it only worked when he switched the ignition on WITHOUT starting the car! So I tried it and it worked perfectly. I got something like "learning complete" instead of an error.

You would never normally have the engine running when doing diagnostics or programming, Just the ignition on unless the tool tells you otherwise. Or when viewing live data.
If i remember right when you clear fault code the tool actually tells you to have ignition on but engine off?
Ideally separate battery support should also be used, especially when doing any programming.

[Argos69]

"You would never normally have the engine running when doing diagnostics or programming"

Yes, makes perfect sense. Must've just got away with it in the past when reconfiguring things and fitting new satnav screen etc.

As my C5 eats a new battery every 2 years, I've hesitated to leave it with engine not running as it never lasted all that long, I'll sort battery support for next time though.

Thank you all!