3 Random beeps now and then Display options

Hi Guys and Galz

I bought my very first car today and its a citroen c3 sx 2004, we checked car over before purchasing and all seemed well, there was bleeps at the time but the petrol light was also on so put it down to this, once i filled it up the beeping still continues now and then, the hand brake is fully down, the doors are closed correctly but still the beeping happens, 3 consecutive beeps one after the other.

Second question is the fluids and checking the levels, and what fluids go where, it might seem obvious to the average person but i am only just starting to learn about these things and typically this information is past down but unfortunately i don't have that. sorry for sounding so un educated lol

The last question is can any body send a link for the manual for this particular car as it didn't have one, only cam with v5 and most recent MOT but was all i could afford at this moment in time.

Iv had a good read through the forum and theres talks of BSI and fuse boxes and computers within this car and due to being a bit geeky id love to know how to fully work everything lol

hopefully some of you might actually enjoy teaching me


thanks in advance

Sorry to ask even further but is there a way to test all dash lights as iv read some people can disable the bulbs for specific warnings?

Hi 00James00

00James00 wrote:Sorry to ask even further but is there a way to test all dash lights as iv read some people can disable the bulbs for specific warnings?

When you ignition on all the lights that are relevant to your model should illuminate briefly.

Obviously you need to know what features the car has to know if the correct lights come on.....

00James00 wrote:3 consecutive beeps one after the other.

Its a warning of a problem, like the things you have already tested. There is also a 'over speed' feature on some C3s and this can give a warning that can confuse.


Overspeed button from this topic

Second question is the fluids and checking the levels, and what fluids go where, it might seem obvious to the average person but i am only just starting to learn about these things and typically this information is past down but unfortunately i don't have that. sorry for sounding so un educated lol

The Haynes manual for the C3 (click) is good for the basic level checking and easy DIY maintenance and worth getting a copy if you don't have access to the handbook.

00James00 wrote:The last question is can any body send a link for the manual for this particular car as it didn't have one, only cam with v5 and most recent MOT but was all i could afford at this moment in time.

The is no manual online for a pre 2006 C3. They are paper and came with the car. You can often find them popping up here, on ebay. Look for the one with the Blue C3 on the front because different colour cars refer to different years of production to yours.

00James00 wrote:v had a good read through the forum and theres talks of BSI and fuse boxes and computers within this car and due to being a bit geeky id love to know how to fully work everything lol

If you really wanted to get to grips with the various computers in the car, you will need LEXIA Tool (click) to interface with them.

There is a topic on the lexia tool here (click) with some information about its functions and installation help.

Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it. I'll take a picture of the lights that actually do come on, it's around 4-5 I just though all light would come on when the key is turned, I'm currently looking at eBay for the manual so thanks for that. I don't wanna dive to deep with the lexia just yet but that could be a future toy lol, would you mind letting me know if I replaced the battery would the computer then need reprogrammed? I just don't have any codes for radio etc but someone else who owns one said reprogramming wasn't required or does this just depend on circumstances lol again thanks for the reply

00James00 wrote:Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it.

No problem

00James00 wrote: I'll take a picture of the lights that actually do come on, it's around 4-5 I just though all light would come on when the key is turned,

Yes, please do. You can attach photos to the topic using the form below.

For example:
Some C3 have ABS, ESP etc, but the dash display is the same for all models. ABS won't light on a non ABS car, which is correct. BUT you will need to know if you have ABS to know if it should light or not.....

00James00 wrote: would you mind letting me know if I replaced the battery would the computer then need reprogrammed?

It doesn't need reprogramming. The factory fit radio doesn't have a code because its VIN coded to the BSI. You can remove the battery and there is a procedure for doing that here (click). You will need to set the clock and radio stations though.

00James00 wrote:again thanks for the reply

No problem.

Hi here are the photos, these are the lights that light up and the other photo are the lights that stay on until key is turned and engine is running.

Great news about the battery thanks as buying this second hand with no Manila or anything is have to put codes into radio and set up all the rest lol so once battery has been replaced it just simply stays the same and no resetting is required?


Thanks buddy

I also took these photos of inside the engine, the fluid in there is way above max, and didn't know whether this wire was snapped or it's supposed to be this way

00James00 wrote:great news about the battery thanks as buying this second hand with no Manila or anything is have to put codes into radio and set up all the rest lol so once battery has been replaced it just simply stays the same and no resetting is required?

Yes, disconnect the battery that was shown in the link, replace the battery and you will need to reprogram the stored radio stations and you should be good to go.

Citroen C3 alternator wire on plug is cut

This looks bad, you shouldn't have any cut wires. It did not come out of the factory like that.

Why are you changing the battery? Is it because you have a fault with the charging? The photo of the alternator chopped wire looks like you may have a wiring fault?..

Dashboard Display self test with ignition on a Citroen C3

Citroen C3 coolant reservoir dirty

Oooh, yuck. Its supposed to be pink/red. Take the cap off when the engine is cold and look in to see the level. The line could be just residue. You can then get a good look at the colour and this can give you an indication as to the state of regular maintenance and general cooling health.

Citroen C3 dashboard lights

Well, as I mentioned before, unless you know what features you have (for example ESP) then you won't know which lights should be showing. If its just a basic model, the lights look ok, but AIR BAG is missing?

This is one of a 2002 diesel, its got all the features of the Exclusive model.

No sorry, I was just wondering for future reference as when switched off the battery isn't lasting to long but is working perfectly fine for the moment, I just needed to know about it for future reference. do you know what this cut wire is for? Little worried now. And any clues why the airbag light wouldn't show, I know the passenger airbag is switched to on on the drivers side. I will take a look inside of fluid to see what colour and maybe post some
More pics