2001 Citroen Picasso SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

MD. Thanks for your comments regarding the sat. nav. and bright display panel.

At least this confirms that I have a fault rather than there being an inherent display design fault.

Many thanks. As suggested, the car is going straight back to my dealer!

Regards.

Paul@jazzmusician.co.uk.

Does anyone know what 'Economy Mode' means with regard to the Picasso.

In the text message display mode, one of the messages is 'Economy Mode' and I wondered whether this had anything to do with a previous comment regarding 'pinking.'

Also, if such a mode exists, how can one tell whether this mode is enabled, what effect it has on performance and whether it can be switched on and off by a common Picasso owner like me!

Paul@jazzmusician.co.uk.

I had the "Economy mode" displayed a short while after I switched the CD player on with the ignition switch in the auxiliary only position, so I guess mine was just a hick up. I would love to know what the mode it is though.

Another thing I have found is that the computer thinks in French even if set to good old Imperial units. The 3 digit MPG figures are direct conversions of the 2 digit litre / 100km used on the continent, hence the somewhat coarse jumps in the UK style MPG.

We have just returned from a trip to Switzerland and found the ability to switch instantly to metric units very good, however I still had the tendency (at the start) to look at the speed limits and mentally convert them to MPH and then check that figure against the speedo reading, not a good idea! The average fuel consumption for 2200 mile trip was a calculated (as opposed to indicated) 52.7 MPG which included 620 miles of Autobahn at 85 MPH and 250 miles at 75 MPH.

Vic.

Recall for Sat. Nav. explained at:

CitroenPicasso.org.uk.

See also for economy mode, glove box light, fuel economy, best deals on new Picasso's...

Quite apart from the display fault that has caused Citroen to invoke a recall notice (reported elsewhere on this site), I have just noticed another idiosyncrasy - which may actually be a wiring fault.

It relates to the right hand instrument display panel. On my 1.8SX with the factory fitted satellite navigation, it is not as bright as the left hand panel. However, I've just noticed something else which I would appreciate info on:-

If you switch your side lights on and then increase the instrument illumination to maximum, both displays are at the same brightness. Now, switch off the side lights and notice that the left hand display panel brightness increases further for daylight viewing. BUT... the right hand display on my Picasso doesn't!!! No wonder I have trouble reading the right hand display during bright sunlight.

What I am wondering is whether this 'fault' only exists on vehicles fitted with the display panel for satellite navigation or whether this display idiosyncrasy exists with all Picassos.

Could those of you with and without the factory fitted satellite navigation please check this on your own vehicles and let me know whether this symptom is unique to just my vehicle, or whether is is present on all?

My guess is that is is present on all vehicles because the right hand display panel is not capable of the same brightness as the left hand display panel!!! Ooh very naughty Citroen. I think this is a major problem.

Paul@jazzmusician.co.uk

As stated previously, I had a problem getting the Picasso in the garage due to the aerial. Problem solved, went to "Carnoisseur" (Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Colchester, Dunstable, Maidstone, Southend, Port Talbot, Cardiff, Haverfordwest, Ballymena and Donegal) and was able to purchase a cut down version, which fits a treat, and has minimal effect on radio reception. Cost about £19. BUT avoid the aluminium Bee Sting aerial mast, also available, as RDX was continually searching.

CD.

Had the recall job done yesterday. All OK, pretty straightforward. Combined it with the 1500 mile service too.

Q: Does anyone know if the radio/CD head unit has an audio "in" socket on the back? I was thinking it might have to enable the CD-changers to connect, but maybe they connect some other way. I'm reluctant to remove the unit just to find out.

If anyone knows, please say!

Paul.

Paul.

I have tried to duplicate your display problem on my Picasso and it does not show the same effect.

Regards.

Tom.

Tom.

Thanks very much for your help. I also checked another Picasso (in a garage showroom!) with the same results as yours.

It seems to be peculiar only to vehicles fitted with the factory fitted satellite navigation (for which I believe a different right-hand display panel is fitted).

If anyone that has a Picasso with the factory fitted satellite navigation installed that would be prepared to do this simple test (described earlier), I would be most grateful.

Many thanks.

Paul@jazzmusician.co.uk.

Just thought I would share with other Picasso owners something that I just noticed with the interior light logic.

As you may know, it is impossible to have the interior light on with the ignition key fully off. My dealer informs me that Citroen arranged the logic this way to prevent the battery being flattened by leaving the light on accidentally. Point taken.

However, there are times when it would be convenient to be able to switch the interior light(s) on with the ignition off.

I found a way of doing this by releasing the door catch at which point the interior light comes on. So far so good...

But, after the timeout delay (of about 20 seconds), the light goes out again.

However, I found out that if after turning the ignition off, you wait for the time-out period (ie about 20 seconds) BEFORE releasing the door catch, the interior light then comes on and stays on permanently!!!

Normally there is no way of knowing when the time-out period has expired. But if you have an electric sun roof fitted, you will notice that the roof light switch is illuminated (at night time - with the ignition switch off) UNTIL the time-out period has expired (you can also hear a soft click of a relay contact at the same time).

So folks, if you want your interior light on permanently with your ignition swtich OFF, simply wait until your electric roof light illumination goes off (if fitted) or (say) 30 seconds, to be on the safe side, OR simply open and close your door (which will put the interior light into its time-out mode and wait for it to dim to darkness) and then release your driver's door catch (so that the door is very slightly open) and you will then have continuous light!!!

Paul.

Paul (the 'other' Paul!)

I echo your comments regarding the audio in socket. Although cassette tape seems to be a dirty word now, there are still occasions when I would like to play a cassette tape (and/or mini disc).

Without messing up the instrument panel logic (it's in enough trouble as it is!!!), it would be very handy to be able to plug an external audio source into the ICE system (In Car Entertainment).

Anyone out there with ICE wiring knowledge for the Picasso?

Paul@jazzmusician.co.uk

www.musicscool.com

Using the Citroen manufactured roof bars for the Picasso, has anyone attempted to locate 4 Thule bike carriers (standard upright)? I suspect there is only room for 3. With my previous car I used the Thule roof bars which are secured above the doors, and caused considerable damage to the rubbers/paint work over a period of time, don't really want to do this with a new car!

Regards

Cliff.

I have just found your site and have found it very informative, I was a motor vehicle mechanic and now due to disability cannot repair my own vehicles, so nine weeks ago I took delivery of a new Picasso 1.6 SX.

I have owned Citroens from the CX 2400, CX 2500 diesel, BX estate and an XM V6 SEi, and my last car, a BMW 730i, all I must add were excellent vehicles.

But now after completing over 3000 miles in my new Picasso I know why your readers rave about them, I have today travelled from my home village near Sheffield to Skegness and the vehicle has returned 53.3 mpg all in reasonable comfort. I have however found two problems with the vehicle:

1) No lumbar support adjustment.

2) For those of us with a 6ft plus height the steering wheel could do with fore and aft adjustment, because when I get my feet in a comfortable position for the pedals, I cannot reach the steering wheel, and the tilting motion of the wheel or the seat height adjustment do not help.

But other than those two faults, I would like to congratulate Citroen on a brilliant design, and Reg Vardy of Sheffield for their excellent customer service.

Les Large. :-)

Ps I think your enquirer about the economy mode may find that this mode turns off the radio/CD to stop it flattening the battery.

Like many of you, I have also found the comments on this site very useful and am looking forward to picking up my nearly new 1.8 SX with auto air-con on Wednesday. I am part-exchanging my 3 door Ford Fiesta, so life will be very different when transporting children + golf clubs, keyboards etc and doing the weekly shopping etc - can't wait!!

But anyway, since signing the dotted line I have wondered whether a roof rack/bars can be fitted - a question raised by a recent comment, and if so does anyone know which make and is it easy to fit?

Also, after test-driving a couple of Picasso's, I noticed how bad the windscreen reflections where. I know one or two people have placed carpet etc in the front to reduce glare, does anyone have any other ideas/suggestions?

H.

Yes roof bars can be fitted very easily and are available from your Citroen dealer, plus try polarising sun glasses, they get rid of the reflections for me.

Les L ;-)