Jezf's new berlingo

[ChrisB]

From this post on I've moved it into the PSA area

thanks for the tip chris, i'm based in north london and will be using it for the commute daily into town...
i have extensively researched the berlingo and its probs (well at least i thought i had until i saw the psa forum just a couple of mins ago!)

Dont get me wrong they are fine vehicles when they are running and also if you dont mind pay main dealer repair fees , its just when they do go wrong they can be a bit of a pain.

it is one of the ebay ones, 2000 model with 9000 miles from new.
just been to citroen for a service and batteries are 100% apparently (altho the reason why it went in was due to going into limp mode). one litre of water was used to top up the batteries during the course of the service, which according to citroen service manager is a good sign..

what are your thoughts on my purchase based on those facts? bear in mind i havent actually physically got it yet.

Ah I know the one It does look like a nice van, and you got it for about the going rate. I'm not convinced by Citroen saying it only used one litre of water mind you ?? you would lose that in the pipes alone ??
Limp mode is generally caused by lack of volts and is engages when the pack gets to about 140volts which is pretty low TBH and generally means battery issues either a block thats gone short circuit or possibley a high resistance joint on one of the batteries causing this, although the latter I would think would notice by a burning smell as 100+amps is going to give off some heat !!!
Really the only test is to get it home and drive her about a bit, take it easy and build the range, dont thrash the batts, try to keep your driving in the green section of the eco meter (around 100amps discharge) and see how you go.

When do you get her ?

ChrisB

[jezf]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to pick it up early next week. Toying with the idea of having a trailer transport it for me. The idea of the batteries does worry me, as i believe they are very expensive and very difficult to get hold of. I'm a bit worried that ive bought a lemon of a car!!!

Citroen in wimbledon have the facilities for the electrique, and there are a couple of private specialists in the area too. So i hope in worst case i am covered.

The dealer where is was last serviced said it may have gone into limp mode as it may not have been serviced regularly prior to that. They had no previous service history on their computer system.

One question: how could the seller know that the batteries are "100% ok", is there some sort of meter to indicate the health of the electric system? Or was it a mere sales ploy?!

[ChrisB]

The only way your know if the batts are 100% is by actually carrying out a discharge test on them and the best way to do that is to drive it.

As long as they are getting the claimed mileage from it then it should be fine, the range on these seems to go from about 65miles to about 45 miles if the batts are in good condition.

Theres no real health meter as such just the energy meter and eco meter (amount of juice your using or putting back in via regen braking)

I would like to think it will be fine, the fact the vehicle has been into citreon for a what I hope was a maint charge and they have given it a clean bill then one would like to think its OK, I do however wonder if someone has tried to top up the batts manually which you MUST NOT do as this can cause all kinds of issues. You can sort of do it but you do have to be pretty sneaky to do it and judge when its on a EQ charging regime , still actually dosnt help you as the over AH meter needs resetting.

I have to giggle the fact they say it went into limp mode due to lack of a service mind you sounds like standard main dealer whaffle if you ask me.

One thing I would say is to pull the dash and make sure that two quite important bulbs are intact, one is the battery watering bulb and the other is the ECU management light.



ChrisB

[jezf]

Hi Chris

Took delivey today, and i must say i am quite impressed.
Few questions:
1. How much should i run the batteries down before charging them? Currrently they are at around 18%
2. Is it imperative to perform a full charge to 100% when the car is charging, ie. if need be can i stop the charge midway and drive it without any problems?
3. There is a buzzing noise when the car is "on" but stationary. Is this normal? It goes away when the car is in motion.

Jeremy

[jezf]

Also wonder if anyone can help me find a charging cable to plug into the side of the van. It has a charging cable atm, but the bonnet has to be opened and plugged in on the right hand side in the compartment with the fuses. Dont know if this is normal or a retrofit. Seller said that the previous owner must have lost the original cable.

[EVguru]

I've got an Avcon outlet and plug (both new) available.

[jezf]

hi EVguru, sent you a private message..

[ChrisB]

Hi Chris

Took delivey today, and i must say i am quite impressed.
Few questions:
1. How much should i run the batteries down before charging them? Currrently they are at around 18%
2. Is it imperative to perform a full charge to 100% when the car is charging, ie. if need be can i stop the charge midway and drive it without any problems?
3. There is a buzzing noise when the car is "on" but stationary. Is this normal? It goes away when the car is in motion.

Jeremy

Welcome to the Blingo club they are lovely.
1. In theory you can recharge them anytime, but the book says take them below 50% at least once a week, but from my own experiance this only really helps keep the energy meter on target as it can lose the plot a bit but from my own testing even if it dosnt appear to recharge to 100% it actually does if that makes sence.
2. Nah you can take it off charge at any time no need to wait for it to get to 100% BUT dont do this to many times or the pack will be come unbalanced and you can run into probs, but everynow and then it wont bother it.
3. There are many things running while the vehicle is actually stopped but swtiched on, 2 x water pumps, 1 x motor cooling fan, 1 x power steering pump, 1 x Vac pump
All of them except the Vac pump will run ALL the time regardless of van movement , the Vac pump however will cut in and out as it sees fit , it should cut out for a few mins and then cut back in again for 30 or so secs and then cut out again, if you have just stopped and used the brakes then it might run for 60secs or so.
It might be this you are hearing ??

ChrisB

[ChrisB]

Also wonder if anyone can help me find a charging cable to plug into the side of the van. It has a charging cable atm, but the bonnet has to be opened and plugged in on the right hand side in the compartment with the fuses. Dont know if this is normal or a retrofit. Seller said that the previous owner must have lost the original cable.

mmmmm thats odd, it really should plug in to the normal side outlet plate on the wing !!!!
So can the van be driven with the charge lead still plugged in as there is a limit connection on the normal plug that stops the van starting if its plugged in on a recharge.


ChrisB

[jezf]

Also wonder if anyone can help me find a charging cable to plug into the side of the van. It has a charging cable atm, but the bonnet has to be opened and plugged in on the right hand side in the compartment with the fuses. Dont know if this is normal or a retrofit. Seller said that the previous owner must have lost the original cable.

mmmmm thats odd, it really should plug in to the normal side outlet plate on the wing !!!!
So can the van be driven with the charge lead still plugged in as there is a limit connection on the normal plug that stops the van starting if its plugged in on a recharge.
ChrisB

it does have the side connector too, but no cable to slot into this.
i do not fancy trying to move it while its on charge!!
i'll take a photo of the other charging point tomorrow and send it to you fyi