clicking from passenger footwell with rear demister and flickering headlights

Can someone help....

got a citroen c3 1.4 petrol...

got a clicking noise coming from passenger footwell when I put on the rear demister....also the main light flicker...

Hi big fella

big fella wrote:got a clicking noise coming from passenger footwell when I put on the rear demister..

Does the demister work?

big fella wrote:also the main light flicker...

Main beam?

Would that be both or just the one side?

Demister does work...also main beam and dash lights flicker...

Can anybody help with my electrical query..

big fella wrote:Can anybody help with my electrical query..

I am trying to, but you didn't answer the question.

C3driver52 wrote:Would that be both or just the one side?

Do both the main beams flicker or is it only one side?


You seem so indicate that all the dashboard lights flicker with:

big fella wrote:also main beam and dash lights flicker

But its not clear what you are trying to say. This can make it difficult to come up with any meaningful diagnosis.


You could check the battery terminals are clean and tight, but that's only a starting point as a common point of power problems.

Both main beams flicker....also dashboard lights...

big fella wrote:Both main beams flicker....also dashboard lights...

It would be worth checking if the dipped headlights also flicker and if they flicker at the same time as the main beams to see if there is a common problem.

Do they flicker as the car is moving, as if it is caused by a vibration or flicker with the movement of the stalk?

The main beam can be engaged by 'flash' or permanent main beam on, do they both flicker in both states?

C3driver52 wrote:You seem so indicate that all the dashboard lights flicker with:

big fella wrote:

also main beam and dash lights flicker

Can you confirm you are indicating that all the dashboard lights are flickering or is it just the blue main beam tell tale that flickers?


By finding out under what conditions they flicker it can be easier to diagnose.

Common points of both main beams are the stalk controls (COM2000 unit), which is often seen while using the stalk.

The main beam flickers whilst driving and also dip beam...I have tested the battery connections all are tight a greased....I have moved the stalk there is no issue with it....

A common point of failure that covers main beam and dipped beam on both sides can be a multiway connector in the BSM module - engine bay fuse box. Its not common for the plugs to become loose but the BSM can get damaged and on occasion the cover is missing and water affects it.

If the BSM is suspected it can often be cheaper to fit one from ebay (here) because they are a sealed black box unit and not easy to repair. Pick the right one by comparing yours and the one in the listings. They changed parts in 2006 and then in 2009.

Checking the plugs on the BSM are tight, or even removing and refitting them would be a good thing to check on the BSM.