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2012 Citroen C1: battery dead, all the warning lights!
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nerion
New User
Nov 18, 2020, 12:09 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1944 views)
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2012 Citroen C1: battery dead, all the warning lights!
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Hi there, I've just been out to start my car (Citroen C1, 2012 plate) for the first time in a couple of weeks due to lockdown. Even before then, I've been working from home since March, so only used my car once a week or so - for short journeys of two or three miles.
Last time I used it, a couple of weeks ago, everything was fine.
Tonight, it wouldn't start - hardly any power so I assumed the battery was dead and got a jump start from my neighbour. It took a fair bit of starting and the jump leads were hot to handle afterwards.
But all seemed to be OK, so I went for a drive of 20 miles or so to stick some more power into the battery.
Early in the journey, the handbrake light (!) appeared on my dashboard, along with the ABS light. Then went off, then came back on again. Whenever this happened, the speedo needle dropped to zero.
I kept driving, wondering if the brakes had seized a little due to lack of use. Then the P/S light came on. Great!
Again, the lights kept coming on on and off. Eventually, they all went out, so I thought I was OK. Then same again. Steering seemed a tiny bit heavy but not too bad.
I got home and reverse-parked my car, noting the steering was pretty heavy. I turned off the ignition, then tried to start the engine again - nothing. Didn't so much as turn over.
Can anyone please let me know what's going on? Is it just that my battery's knackered or could it be something else? As I say, all was perfect last time I drove the car two weeks ago.
If it is the battery, should I try hooking it up to a battery charger, or will it need replacing? Or do you think it's something altogether more serious (hope not!)
Thanks in advance for any help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 19, 2020, 12:36 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1907 views)
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Re: 2012 Citroen C1: battery dead, all the warning lights!
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nerion: Welcome and make some coffee or whatever this could be a long response!
First know this is US based and "Citroen" with many other makes haven't been sold here for decades now. OMG, last one I dealt with was an '89 2CV - yes the air cooled, 2 cyl, FWD thing was registered as a 1964 model - forget that story.
This is still basics first with really sudden lack of use (lockdown here too) is messing everything up for me anyway and zillions more is surely bringing on similar problems just lack of use include insane #s of unused NEW cars that don't move around to even junk them!
Don't worry too much about the warning lights just yet this (trying to read between lines) is a shorted battery issue with "hot" cables used to jump start it that did work finally AND you put a quick 20 miles on a failed battery is the guess.
What probably happened is prior lack of use just wasn't keeping battery fully up to charge this being "newer" (for me) is using trickle amounts of power all the time to keep memory of computer controls in it alive and working hence the battery went low in a week a 2 mile drive wouldn't cover that IMO.
Guess - it's is near a new battery if a 2012 should be old for a second one by now! Doesn't matter the symptoms are there if newer I don't trust it and it's making your alternator overwork, get hot and may not be charging anymore is a lack of use issue it's just so common now new or used machines, vehicles of all types with this lockdown now way too long if you are not assertively doing something along that long of time already.
Let's get some at least voltage readings of this just sitting there now. I'd like to see (don't allow interior lights, hood light to be on or stay on BTW) or leave hood open if battery is there or where it is accessible and have a meter ready.
Now just go back and read volts if only that. If you have more equipment you need to say so. It should be reading a plain 12V or close just sitting there high bet it isn't. With helper now open door and watch meter while trying to start it watch it drop off the scale to way to low below 8V or even less or nothing!
It's got to be charged up first with a slow charge where it is if possible. May take a day with a 2-4AMP "slow charger" option for charger that you should watch should be an auto shut off type or watch it a lot and give up.
Back to the boost with cables: That probably reacted when hooked up was your warning NOT to continue (too late now) it was too low then hard to say but try not to use another vehicle rather another battery or jumper box when needed you can do great harm to donor vehicle!
All that or take battery out and get it tested if you have that as a choice (lockdown considered not much is available for love nor $$) lets see what can be done.
If you can and battery is known over 3-4 years just toss it but get a charger too and charge that new one. Find out how old it is before you buy it! Yes, it could be junk new on a shelf charge those first and test as best you can OR where you get one.
The IMO guess is it was so "dead" power wise (battery) any memory was lost for a LOT of functions will need to re-learn but have to begin with a known good battery AND when installed will crank engine at a normal speed even if not starting??
If it starts use that voltmeter I hope you have one or can borrow one read it running even if lousy volts jump up to maybe 13.5>14.8V for a while is a clue alternator is working. If not, shut it down there's just too much wrong already time to find a shop still available to help could be quite a wait for some.
All those other functions sat dead don't have any history to work quite yet was run back when too low it needs to relearn or know what was harmed that needs more help.
No power (battery) doesn't much matter if a car or toy in your home it isn't going to work.
The issue is this isn't a new problem just our (people in general) think of hand held things, phones, computers use another type of battery can do dead (flat another word) and come back and work fine - vehicle's/machines with features do not it's NOT the same type battery.
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Anyone who read this far look into getting "battery maintainer/chargers" for low or unused vehicles with batteries OR use them enough every week over 5 miles or so. Use brakes, and drive assorted slower and faster where possible.
If outdoors exposed to weather you need to do this more often if not land power available to just use the vehicle.
Again > these vehicles and machines of sorts are going to be serious problems new and are now it's been too long already!
OTHER: Don't forget to check and be able to fill tires they lose air just sitting also all is worse if outdoor storage is ruinous to things in general.
Stinks but have to treat items (cars the most involved) like you would already be used to doing if a vaction home someplace have it stored for off season, indoors or used by another person.
Winter for people: Most of the world's people deal with it, meaning lower than freezing temps things happen anyway this year just a lot worse for lack of use or help to keep things working.
Get help if you don't know how it's way too common and getting worse IDK what help, tools or parts will be available some aren't any good new either going thru that myself now big time,
Tom
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