Intermittent electrical issues with 2014 Citroen Relay (X290)

[Charliebobgordon]

Hello, we’ve been having some intermittent issues with our van lately and I just wanted to post here first to see if anyone had any ideas.

It’s a self-converted camper, we’ve been travelling around in it for the past year without issues until the past couple of months where we’ve been in much colder and wetter conditions. Since then, we’ve had issues with…

• Electric windows sometimes not working, or going up when we hit down and vice-versa.
• Interior cab light - works when you open the door but sometimes doesn’t come on using the toggle switches.
• Red/blue strip around the blower dial - sometimes doesn’t illuminate and needs a hit to get it to appear.
• Drivers side headlamp stopped working but worked fine later on.

I’ve read fault codes and I’m seeing errors relating to an open circuit on the electric windows and interior temperature sensor (hasn’t worked since we got the van) and something that says ‘Third STOP’, whatever that means?

We’ve now had the ‘DPF cleaning - keep the vehicle moving’ alert flash up, but we’re assuming this is because we’ve been idling the engine to top up our leisure batteries. Naughty, I know!

It’s a 2014 Citroen Relay (X290). It’s done 145,000 miles. We bought it in 2022 and had the EGR cooler replaced as it was leaking coolant when we got it. Since then we’ve had a full service and another oil change this year.

I’ve checked the battery voltage and it’s healthy.

Any ideas? I’m thinking it’s all connected to a single issue with the earth perhaps?

[Charliebobgordon]

Just posting an update on this. The other day, after driving around at high revs for about 30 minutes, the DPF light went off. Today, the DPF light has returned and hasn't gone off after about an 30 minutes of driving yet. When the light came on, simultaneously we also had a new electrical alert come up to add to the growing list. This time for 'Parking help unavailable', we have rear parking sensors so I assume it's related to that.

[Charliebobgordon]

I've read the fault codes using AlfaOBD again today and here's what I'm getting at the moment:

Engine
P0423
P1490

Body computer
B1029
B1016

Previously I've had faults relating to an open circuit on the electric windows, but that's not there currently so must be intermittent.

Thanks!

[Charliebobgordon]

Update from me, after driving around more at high revs the light went off. I've now cleared the errors and will report back if they return. Anyone got any tips on the 'parking help unavailable' message, I've tried cleaning the sensors?

Also, the other day, a few moments after we started the engine, when idling, it turned into a really low rumble for a couple of seconds like it was going to die on us. Then it returned to normal. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Charliebobgordon]

Hello. An update on this, I still haven't got the problem resolved, I was waiting until we're back in the UK at the end of May as it hasn't sent us into LIMP mode yet. However, yesterday we had some more symptoms. Once again, the DPF light appeared as it has been on and off since January a couple times a month, but this time it came on, and then a few miles later the red oil symbol started flashing. On restart, the DPF light has now gone away (I assume temporarily), but the flashing oil light now persists.

Note that a lot of the intermittent issues with other electrical components have disappeared (I assume just temporarily as we're now in warmer and dryer weather).

I checked the codes today, and in addition to P0423 and P1490 reappearing after being cleared previously, we have a new code which is P0490, AlfaOBD is also telling me Exhaust Gas Recirculation Control Circuit 'A' High, Signal amplitude > maximum and Error intermittent. @GiveMeABreak, I'm wondering if you could shed some light on this new code and whether getting the vapouriser replaced is going to solve this or it's a whole other issue? Thank you so much.

All fault codes say 'error intermittent', is that usual?

I wanted to wait until we're in the UK to get this sorted, as I know a DPF specialist I'd like to take it too. But beginning to wonder if we're going to make it before then!

[GiveMeABreak]

At 145k miles your DPF is probably at end of life and needs replacing or deep cleaning.

[Charliebobgordon]

At 145k miles your DPF is probably at end of life and needs replacing or deep cleaning.

Thanks Marc, appreciate the response. Does the EGR error mean that the valve needs replacing too? And as the 'EGR cooler' was replaced in 2022, do you know if the 'EGR valve' is part of the cooler or is it a seperate part, so likely wasn't replaced in 2022? Would they usually be replaced together, or not?

Thanks again.

[GiveMeABreak]

Let me have your VIN and I'll see which type you have. There are so many variations of these vehicles, that I'll need this to check.

[Charliebobgordon]

Let me have your VIN and I'll see which type you have. There are so many variations of these vehicles, that I'll need this to check.

Thanks Marc, the VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so on this Ford Puma engine, the EGR valve is attached to the Gas Water Exchanger module, but is available separately. So obviously I can't tell you what was replaced, but at least you know they can be replaced separately.

[Charliebobgordon]

Ok, so on this Ford Puma engine, the EGR valve is attached to the Gas Water Exchanger module, but is available separately. So obviously I can't tell you what was replaced, but at least you know they can be replaced separately.

Thanks so much! By the way, do you know if AlfaOBD supports this engine ECU officially? I'm able to read the codes sporadically when I connect via 'Diesel Bosch EDC17 CF5 (CAN): Diesel 2.0/3.0; on AlfaOBD but a warning does flag up saying it's not a match essentially. Wonder which the Diesel 2.2 isn't in there?

[GiveMeABreak]

I can't advise on that sorry, that'll only be something he manufacturer can advise on. If you get software updates for it you may need to update it to be able to read later systems.