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'Battery Charge Fault' light on and aircon stopped working - any suggestions?
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Rooster   
Sat Aug 09 2014, 03:18pm
Joined: Jul 27 2014
Member No: #1799
Location: United Kingdom
 Hi, I was cruising around earlier today and all of a sudden the 'battery charge fault' warning light came on and almost as quickly the air conditioning switched off. Neither the fan itself or the aircon will switch back on.

I have turned the car off and left it for an hour, then started it up and after five minutes the warning light was back on and off went the aircon.

I have only owned the car for a few weeks and the previous owner had only just replaced the alternator.

Does anyone have some advice to offer? Am I doing any further damage by continuing to drive the car?

Thanks in advance,

Pete
C6Dave   
Sat Aug 09 2014, 03:33pm

Joined: Oct 01 2009
Member No: #1
Location: Northumberland
 When was the battery checked/changed as a failing battery will throw all sorts of errors, however it could still be the replacement alternator which if not charging, means the car is running on battery power and won't go on forever before letting you down.....
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Rooster   
Sat Aug 09 2014, 05:07pm
Joined: Jul 27 2014
Member No: #1799
Location: United Kingdom
 Hi Dave,

Thanks for the post. I will check back on the alternator. I dont think the battery has been changed or checked, I shall do that Monday.

Do you think thats why it is shutting off the aircon?
jamesh   
Sat Aug 09 2014, 08:03pm
Joined: Jul 31 2010
Member No: #196
Location: Buckinghamshire
 The aircon and the alternator are both driven by the same drivebelt, so if this has failed then both would stop working.

I think that (unusually for a modern car) the power steering and the water pump run off the same belt too, so it would eventually overheat and be heavy to steer if the belt had failed.
gbl   
Sat Aug 09 2014, 10:39pm
Joined: Jul 06 2012
Member No: #936
Location: Copenhagen
 If the alternator is not charging and the battery reaches a certain minimum voltage, then the car automatically conserves battery power by shutting off non-critical electrical functions, like a/c, seat heating, heated rear window, etc.
Rooster   
Sun Aug 10 2014, 09:29pm
Joined: Jul 27 2014
Member No: #1799
Location: United Kingdom
 The car gave up on me earlier today. RAC saying that the alternator is probably the culprit, which I know was replaced shortly before I bought the car a few weeks back and was under warranty.

The only information I have is that it was fitted by 'Beauchamp Motors on Camden Road' but all my searches bring up... nothing. Has anyone heard of such a company as I want to take advantage of the warranty.

Thanks again,

Pete
earthflattener   
Sun Aug 10 2014, 11:40pm
Joined: Dec 15 2013
Member No: #1514
Location: London
 A quick search on Beauchamp motors finds nothing...

Where did you buy it and with whom was your warranty?

If you are in North London, it might be worth checking in with a reputable Citroen/C6 house like B.L Autos in Welwyn Garden City. They will give an honest analysis of where you are at.
Rooster   
Mon Aug 11 2014, 06:02am
Joined: Jul 27 2014
Member No: #1799
Location: United Kingdom
 It was a private sale, but the guy had just had the alternator replaced by this garage, which apparently is under warranty for one year, but I didnt get the paperwork as promised. The seller is currently abroad and hard to contact, but as I am up north I have taken it to a local Citroen specialist who has worked on my old DS21 in the past. Fingers crossed.

Thanks again
 

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