C5 Aircross PHEV won't run on electric

[Juan Sheet]

I can't reply to your Private Message as you have disabled receiving of PMs!

Ok so if you are having specific issues, with the Hybrid system, get it to the dealers. You have warranty and these require special procedures to work on - even the disconnection of the service batteries must be done in a particulate sequence to avoid damage.

There is the main traction battery of course and 2 accessory batteries, one at the front (normal location) and one at the rear.

There is nothing to say which does which, so I can't help you there, but is probably a supplementary battery for running particular equipment / performing certain functions.

Please be vary wary of disconnecting these batteries and consult your owner manual that has specific guidance on the order and not to reverse the connection / disconnections steps on these. The Rear accessory battery is ALWAYS disconnected First.

[Cranium4]

Thanks Juan,

Sorry, didn't know I had disabled PMs!
As I said previously I charge the front battery every 2-3 weeks as I do a lot of short EV journeys - it seems to work ok.
Ah! if only we had Haynes manuals for todays overly complex cars...at least we could see what powers what.

[dytham]

I have had car into the dealer's today regarding "Electric mode is currently not available due to ambient conditions"

They are telling me that Citroen's stance is that this is not a fault but the system correctly protecting itself due to cold temperature.
This is ridiculous at 14 degrees outside today + fault was also showing up on much warmer days.

I am minded to reject the vehicle as not fit for purpose for a full refund.

The C4 electric loan car manages fine at the same temperature.

[Juan Sheet]

There are multiple ‘conditions’ required for electric to work, and what you have on your car won’t be the same a full electric vehicle obviously as that will be entirely electric.

With a smaller battery in your vehicle it may be a bit more fussy as to when it operates or not, but there can be other factors like charge level and equipment being operated for example. These are the same sorts of things that owners with full EVs have to be aware of concerning range returned. I’m not having any of these until I’m forced to reluctantly.

[dytham]

There are multiple ‘conditions’ required for electric to work, and what you have on your car won’t be the same a full electric vehicle obviously as that will be entirely electric.

With a smaller battery in your vehicle it may be a bit more fussy as to when it operates or not, but there can be other factors like charge level and equipment being operated for example. These are the same sorts of things that owners with full EVs have to be aware of concerning range returned. I’m not having any of these until I’m forced to reluctantly.

I might understand a PHEV being fussy about electric mode if it was frosty outside. Am I being unreasonable about expecting it to be available at 14 degrees?

[dytham]

There are multiple ‘conditions’ required for electric to work, and what you have on your car won’t be the same a full electric vehicle obviously as that will be entirely electric.

With a smaller battery in your vehicle it may be a bit more fussy as to when it operates or not, but there can be other factors like charge level and equipment being operated for example. These are the same sorts of things that owners with full EVs have to be aware of concerning range returned. I’m not having any of these until I’m forced to reluctantly.

I might understand a PHEV being fussy about electric mode if it was frosty outside. Am I being unreasonable about expecting it to be available at 14 degrees?

UPDATE from dealer: There is a training issue with whoever at Citroen gave that advice. No one selling cars in UK would do so if they didn't work fully in normal ambient temperatures.
Jury is still out on them resolving the car's issues - auxiliary battery(s) to be replaced next.

[Juan Sheet]

Best thing is to keep at them if you think there's a fault whilst it's under warranty.

When I mentioned other requirements in my last post, it wasn't just external temperature, but can be other issues - but these are still (in my opinion) experimental systems fraught with issues, failed batteries, non-charging, ECU issues - so hopefully the later the vehicle the more they'll have addressed the issues - but only if people like your self keep hammering the dealer when there's an obvious problem.

[Cranium4]

When mine suffered this issue in the first few months of ownership I found shutting down and starting up again would clear the problem 90% of the time - so clearly not a cold temp issue.
I did raise it with the dealer to be told a number of factors can create the message "ambient conditions...." but they could not provide any further info. Fortunately as mentioned before I have only seen the message 1, possibly 2 times in the last 12 months so have not pursued it any further.
My experience of dealerships for PHEV and full EV vehicles ( both Stellantis) has not been good - both sales and technicians. I've no doubt there are some good technicians but I have yet to find one, it tends to be a case of "computer diagnostics says....."
Hopefully "Dytham" your dealer is able to find the solution for you.

[Deleted User 2226]

Dytham,
I've only read back through the last ½ dozen or so posts.
But, the "Auxiliary" battery you have in the rear of the car is probably the same as the auxiliary battery under the armrest in the C5X PHEV.
There are a large number of owners of the C5X that have reported similar issues "can will not run in electric only mode" It turns out the this battery controls the Hybrid systems. Even though the C5X is only max 2 years old there have already been a number of cars where this battery had failed and replaced under warranty.

• 12.5 volts on a 12 volt battery at 'rest', means nothing, what's it doing under load? Get you dealer to test that battery on their diagnostic equipment.

• I did not use my car in Ice mode in August, and I coveed over 200 miles in EV only mode, and never needed to recharge the 12 volt battery under the bonnet.

I think, your problem is 12 volt battery related and very probably the one in the back.

[Gobshite]

I just bought a one year old C5 and it usually starts on Electric (default mode according to the book) , but occasionally starts in hybrid mode and I've always attributed this to the weather/climate control requirements