Centre console / trip computer fault

[KevinB]

I have a 406 110 hdi estate on a W plate.

I have recently noticed a rather anoying problem with the centre console display above the radio. It recently stopped working, when the ingition is turned on the date is reset to 01-01-99 (and constantly flashes), the outside air temp is the only other item displayed. I can go through the menu and set the date and time correctly, however when the ignition is turned off, and then back on again the flashing 01-01-99 re appears again. I have tried another centre console and the same symtoms still persists .

Any advice on how to cure this problem would be appreciated.

[Welly]

It sounds like it's losing it's power supply each time, or, more worryingly the BSi unit is losing the supply

It's not something that's very common to be honest and I can't really tell you what it is. I must say though that recently my battery was crapping out and my display did the 01/01/1999 trick on me when everything else appeared normal. Perhaps your battery is dying? mine was the big black battery (Delco?) with the green light thing (I think it was the original) and it took 4 or 5 days to crap out in the end.

Hope this helps but t depends on how long your has been doing this.

Welly

[mbell666]

I'd check the fuses, maybe a fuse has gone so its only getting power while the ignition is on.

[KevinB]

Thats exactly what I am thinking that its not receiving any electrical power when the ignition is off, causing it to reset to the default (as new settings). When the ignition is on there is not a problem. The battery is known to be OK as I had to replace it shortly after geting the car. A bodge up solution would be to feed it with a permanent live supply, but I would much prefer to cure this with a proper fix.

Another symptom for consideration is the trip computer functions could not be selected prior to complete failure of the display console, I thought the push button on the end of the stalk might have failed (and was planning on replacing that from a scrapyard donor) I am not so sure now though.

Been quite new to P406 (prevoiusly Citroen Bx), what is this BSI device, where is it located, can I just swap it out from a similar spec P406 (not a chance I suspect!), are they expensive to obtain from a main stealer, do they need setting up by the main stealer ( quite possibly!). I think I may be able to live with it as this sounds well expensive.

As I only bought the car as a non runner for £150, (it had a broken cam follower, and would only just run on three cylinders, remarkably there was no other damage and a new cam follower got it running again) , to smoke around in and get some P406 maintenance experience until a really nice P406 2.2 HDi came my way.

[mjb]

I'd check the fuses first. With your other symptom though (lack of trip comp functionality) I'd suggest the trip computer's snuffed it, although I don't know if this is in the display (like D8s) or in the BSI...

Been quite new to P406 (prevoiusly Citroen Bx), what is this BSI device, where is it located, can I just swap it out from a similar spec P406 (not a chance I suspect!), are they expensive to obtain from a main stealer, do they need setting up by the main stealer ( quite possibly!). I think I may be able to live with it as this sounds well expensive.

Older cars have everything wired up - the light switch is connected to the light relay which is connected to the lights, but post-2000 cars have to have digital multiplexed wiring as per EC regulation bullsh*t. The BSI (or one function of it) takes the digital signal from the bus and then works the appropriate relay. It does loads of stuff and failure ain't unheard of.

The BSI is tres expensive and needs dealer coding from factory to a specific car, although there's places you can get reconned BSIs from withotu such restrictions I think.

As I only bought the car as a non runner for £150

Impressive - well done!

[KevinB]

I had a quick look at the fuses and all was OK, so its all pointing towards this BSI device. I think that for now I will have to live this fault provided the BSI does not degrade any further.
Thanks for the information.

[KevinB]

I must confess I feel a right numpty head now, as when I went to put the plastic trim back over the fusebox last night I thought I would have one last look at all the fuses, but this time with a powerful torch, low and behold if a 10A fuse wasnt blown, . It wasnt immediently apparant it had blown as the fuse wire remnants were still in situ and the prevoius casual glance gave the impression that all was well.

So I replaced the fuse and the panel lights for the centre console, set the date and time and it works just as before. However the trip computer functions still do not appear when I press the ends of the stalks, could these components now possibly be at fault ?

Once again thanks in anticipation and for your understanding from a newbie.

[mjb]

I must confess I feel a right numpty head now, as when I went to put the plastic trim back over the fusebox last night I thought I would have one last look at all the fuses, but this time with a powerful torch, low and behold if a 10A fuse wasnt blown, . It wasnt immediently apparant it had blown as the fuse wire remnants were still in situ and the prevoius casual glance gave the impression that all was well.

Maplins do a selection of fuses which actually light up when they're blown. Pricey, but I've replaced all my 10A ones with them

However the trip computer functions still do not appear when I press the ends of the stalks, could these components now possibly be at fault ?

Possibly, or the BSI. With the D9 it's impossible to tell without diagnostic equipment I'm afraid. Has the trip computer actually worked while you've had the car?

[KevinB]

The trip computer has never worked since I got the car, although you cant expect too much from a car that only cost £150. Its done just over 200K and I have done a lot of work on it to date. As it is well economical on diesel if your careful, and quick as well (if you need a turn of speed, though obvoiusly not as economical as when its been driven carefully), so to my mind its worth trying to get it back into reasonable shape if possible.

Its been fed with copius quantities of new parts mainly from GSF etc and good s/h bits from the scrapyard as required. So far I have changed the timing belt (plus water pump, tensioners, and oil seals), replaced various suspension parts, renewed most of the rear brake components, fitted a s/h windscreen, fitted new lower engine mount, and fitted many s/h bits mainly missing trim items etc.

This trip computer gismo was the next item on the to do list, and I feel that a couple of stalks from the scrapyard would be worth a gamble. I would hate admitting defeat and having to go to the main stealer just to be told I need a new BSI unit for say £500 + VAT

From reading other threads on this forum, if it did prove to be the mythical BSI unit. Hypothetically speaking could I not get a s/h BSI from a scrapyard, send it to an independant remanufacturer ( they then do their thing ), and then I fit this item to my car, problem solved?