Startup code, fuel gauge and fan...

[bushtor]

Hi,

Just after startup my 406 2.0 HDi displays a wrench symbol and a numeric code for a few seconds. I recognized it a couple of weeks ago (when I had just purchased this car) and in the beginning the code number was 18700, then it decreased by hundred about every third day and now its 18200. What does this code mean, and should I do something about it?

The fuel gauge also acts weirdly. After having filled the tank, the meter decreases rather quickly for the first 500kms or so. By then it displays 1/4 tank. Thereafter it suddenly jumps up again to 3/4 tank (which is more correct) and decreases normally. If the sensor was faulty I don't expect a behaviour like this, and it has been like this for three consequtive tanks now. Anyone else experience something like this..?

Finally, I have the interior temperature set to 22 degrees. When starting in the morning the temperature is around zero degrees and the ventilation and heating are set to 'Auto'. However there is no noticeable fan activity when the engine has become warm so I always have to push the defroster button to get the fan to start so the interior heats up quickly. Is this normal? I thought that the fan(s) should automatically run at an appropriate speed when the difference between the actual and set temperature was significant.

Finally, is there a way to disable the A/C unit by default in the Auto setting. Now the A/C is always on when Auto is pushed...

Thank for comments and hints ;-)

regards

Tor

[mjb]

Just after startup my 406 2.0 HDi displays a wrench symbol and a numeric code for a few seconds. I recognized it a couple of weeks ago (when I had just purchased this car) and in the beginning the code number was 18700, then it decreased by hundred about every third day and now its 18200. What does this code mean, and should I do something about it?

You do around 30 miles a day? I don't know D9s, but it's likely a 'miles until service due' indicator

Finally, I have the interior temperature set to 22 degrees. When starting in the morning the temperature is around zero degrees and the ventilation and heating are set to 'Auto'. However there is no noticeable fan activity when the engine has become warm so I always have to push the defroster button to get the fan to start so the interior heats up quickly. Is this normal? I thought that the fan(s) should automatically run at an appropriate speed when the difference between the actual and set temperature was significant.

My last 406 did that towards the end of its life, but then sprung back into life. My educated guess is one of the climate control sensors (there's a few) is dodgy or has a dodgy connection. I'm not sure how to proceed with this... Does the D9 Haynes manual happen to give enough details to take a multimeter to the CC panel?

You don't need to switch it to demist, you can hit the fan control to override the auto setting

Finally, is there a way to disable the A/C unit by default in the Auto setting. Now the A/C is always on when Auto is pushed...

On cold mornings, you really want the aircon to clear the screen! There's no way to disable it other than manually selecting eco, but there's no real need to switch it off - the economy hit is minimal and it'll switch itself on and off as required. Aircon is one of those things that's prone to breaking if you only use it in the summer, so it's best to leave it be

[steve_earwig]

edit: I read the post

I was turning my air con off because I didn't think there was any point for it in winter (apart from the de-mist), I ended up with condensation running down the inside of the 'screen. Then I spotted how susceptable to condensation the BSI is, this is an extremely expensive box of electronics that just loves to go wrong so believe me, leaving your air con running is by far the cheaper option. I'd guess "auto" means climate control so of course it'll turn on the air con. Not a lot you can do about this, I disconnected the compressor on my D8 but not such a good idea on the '9.

Next to the interior and map lights is a little box of tricks with a fan in it that tells the air con the inside temperature, if it goes wrong your air con won't know what this is, so I'd reckon this is your chief suspect. Unfortunatly, like most things electronic, it's gold-plated (small fan+thermistor+small amount of circuitry=arm+leg) so best take your car to an air con specialist for a proper diagnosis (do not go to Pug, unless you're very rich and enjoy letting people who should know better guess at your expense!)

Spanner with number is indeed the service indicator counting down, it's supposed to take all sorts of things into account but it's probably wrong, you're best off using the mileage.

Fuel gauges seem to be either ok or extremely eratic, mine's ok but loads of people have had problems. Count yourself lucky it doesn't run out when the gauge still saying you've got 1/4 of a tank left

[djp30djp]

The spanner countdown is normal except it should count down from 12000(the normal service interval)or is yours in km?
When it reaches 0 the service is due & if you go beyond that it flashes the minus figure(overdue).

[steve_earwig]

is yours in km?

I was wondering that, (mine says something similar) plus the "wrench". Where abouts are you Tor?

When it reaches 0 the service is due & if you go beyond that it flashes the minus figure(overdue).

Hey, when I first came on here they all told me my car would explode when it got to zero!!

[mjb]

Next to the interior and map lights is a little box of tricks with a fan in it that tells the air con the inside temperature, if it goes wrong your air con won't know what this is, so I'd reckon this is your chief suspect.

There's also a temperature sensor under the passenger footwell near the centre console at the bottom (reckon this is far more likely to go!), and there's the (light?) sensor at the centre of the dashboard between the windscreen blowers.

[steve_earwig]

Only going by personal experience. It's still best to get it diagnosed by someone who knows what they're doing.

[mjb]

aye

[bushtor]

Hi and thanks for all feedback.

I have ordered a CAN bus interface for my 406 and hope to find some good software to use with it. Btw. where is the diagnosis interface connector located? (I have a station wagon).

Would I be able to check the output of every sensor (including the different cabin temperature sensors) and my fuel resevoir level sensor with the appropriate software...?

thanks again for your comments

regards

Tor

[mjb]

where is the diagnosis interface connector located?

Fusebox, by the drivers knee

[djp30djp]

Between the steering wheel & the door, just above the fusebox cover, is a small recess where the cruise control switch fits.
It's there, behind the blankig plate.