Citroen C5 X7 window will not move

[Viitonen]

I’ve a 2009 Exclusive hdi X7.
There has been no problems with windows until now.
I washed and waxed my car really thoroughly. After an hour or so, when I tried to open my left front window, I just heard a sound when it tried to open it, but it doesn’t want to do it for some reason. It also makes sound when I’m trying to close it again (while it is of course closed).

Any knowledge on why is this happening? Thanks!

[bobins]

Almost certainly the window winder mechanism (wire) has broken.
How to fix it is here.......
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=57993

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, most probably the regulator wire has rusted and snapped!

The motor is operating but as the wire has broken it cannot raise or lower the window. Mine did this all of a sudden at the multi story car park - at the exit ticket barrier. Went to wind the window down and nothing! Had to get out the passenger side to put my ticket in the barrier to get out the car park

You can get the regulator kit, but as mine was under warranty, Citroen just replaced the whole motor - not that I'm complaining about that.

It can be a bit fiddly to do though.

Future tip - use silicon oil (not WD40) and spray liberally inside the window channels of all windows 2-3 times a year. Lower the windows up and down whilst spraying into the channels. Also with the windows up, use the straw on the silicon spray can to get under the rubber strip of the window door seal and spray liberally into there to try and coat the wires. This will help prevent rusting in future. The problem is the water from rain and washing the car gets into the window seals and can rust the wires.

[Viitonen]

I never heard a snapping sound like I should when a wire brakes. Now it sounds like it’s trying to open it, but then it just don’t have enough ”power” to do so.

Do you happen to have a number for the repair kit? In my case the left window is the driver’s window and I need the window in order to get into my garage.

[bobins]

A generic search on eBay for 'Citroen C5 window winder' or 'Citroen C5 window regulator' turns up loads of options - just make sure you get the correct side / model / year.
You can just replace the wire and plastic work, or replace the whole frame minus the motor, or replace the whole frame with the motor. Personal choice in the end.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_osac ... dow+winder

[GiveMeABreak]

Here are the part numbers - PSA offer 2 versions - an OEM original one and a cheaper version. Note item 4 is not available separately. These are the part numbers for your X7 (I have your VIN from before).

Click to Zoom

[Viitonen]

Thanks bobins and thanks Marc!
This is surely the best forum period

[crapday69]

If it is, I recomend not trying the repair kit as I tried 3 and found it to hard to get right. You can buy the whole mechanism for between £40 and £60 on eBay. 3 below matching those prices, just make sure its the correct one for side/year. I paid £55 from an ebay seller from France. Its not to hard a job to do, but the window replacement can be fiddly.

Oh and it might not be the whole wire that snapped but just frayed and sticking as was the case with mine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C5-2 ... SwygJXhPav

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-C5-M ... SwB9hZ48Nr

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanism-el ... SwIxxauM25

[Viitonen]

Thanks crabday69, exactly my thoughts. I will first remove the cover to see what’s going on in there. If the mechanism is broken, I will not play with the wires, but change the whole mechanism without motor.

[crapday69]

I tried a few repair kits but I couldn't get the tension right, either to tight or too loose. whereas its just a complete like for like replacement with the full mechanism, just a little dearer, but if you go by the time taken, it works out cheaper.

[admiral51]

I had to change my old C5 X7 window mechanism, bought a replacement from GSF minus the motor, good instructions included, very easy to do.
Only thing is the speaker is from memory held in by pop rivets ? and i think i had to replace with small nut and bolts.
Personally i would get the complete mechanism minus the motor and re use the bolts/screws.
One tip is that you need to teach the window where it is when you have replaced the mechanism. From memory you press the window up button and hold it for 10 seconds (even if it has closed) and then open the window holding the button for 10 seconds ( even if fully open ).
This should reset the anti pinch function so you do not get window closing and then dropping by 6-8 inches

[crapday69]

I forgot about the rivets on the speaker. I think my speaker is just sitting there as I didn't have any bolts to fix it with. I did mean to add them later but not odd sounds coming from it so I forgot all about it till you mentioned it.

[JohnD]

I forgot about the rivets on the speaker.

When I replaced my winder mechanism I didn't have rivets thick enough to hold the speaker but I had a box of tec roofing screws so I used those, removing the washer and taking a slice of the hex heads.

[Viitonen]

Great tips I’m getting here! Thanks guys

[osx]

Had to replace mine last year. Took me a an hour or so. Had to drill through the rivets to remove them and then used similar screws as JohnD. You will have to grease generously all wires.