Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand C4 Picasso Dashboard Warning Lights

French car manufacturer Citroën first released the 7 seat Grand C4 Picasso in 2006 with the smaller 5 seat version being released in 2007. The C4 Picasso / Grand C4 Picasso second and current generation was released in 2013. These Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand C4 Picasso dashboard warning lights covers both generations and models.

A Guide to the Picasso Warning Lights

As part of a self-check, many dashboard warning lights come on temporarily with the ignition switch to ON and/or when the engine has just started. This is normal procedure. A colour scheme is associated with the type of light that comes on your dashboard. Your Picasso warning lights are there to inform something is:

• in operation – these are blue or green symbols
• is switched off – these are usually amber or yellow symbols
• requiring maintenance – these are usually amber or yellow symbols
• at fault – these will usually be red symbols, possibly flashing and may have an audible alarm

Taking Action

If whilst driving a dashboard warning light comes on in amber / yellow or more importantly in red and you’re unsure what it is, it would be advisable to stop when safe to do so and switch off the engine. Investigate the meaning of the warning to determine what action is required.

Certain warning lights may prevent you from continuing your journey as there may be significant risk of damage to vehicle components and/or potential risk to the safety of vehicle occupants.

Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand C4 Picasso Dashboard Warning Lights

You’ll find the majority of the dashboard warning lights for both the Citroën C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso along with their meaning and an explanation of what action to take.

Name: Auto Headlights
Urgency: Low
Description: This symbol indicates that the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand automatic headlight dipping is active. Function is activated / deactivated in the driver assistance menu.
Action: System is managed by a camera located in the door mirrors. If the system fails to operate, ensure the camera is clean and free from dirt.

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Name: Glow Plugs
Urgency: Low
Description: On diesel versions of the Picasso only, glow plugs are heating devices that aid in starting the engine. Before attempting to start the engine, switch the key to on and wait for the glow plug pre-heat light to go out. In warmer climates, the glow plugs light may not illuminate whereas in very cold climates, the light may stay on for up to 30 seconds before the engine is ready to start.
Action: If the Picasso glow plugs light doesn’t come on and you’re experiencing trouble starting the engine, or the engine is excessively rough at start-up, have the vehicle checked for faults with a code reader. The likely cause is faulty glow plugs or glow plugs relay, though other more complicated faults such as fuel injectors can also cause this issue.

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Name: Electric Parking Brake
Urgency: Medium
Description: The electric parking brake red symbol (steady light) illuminates on the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand dashboard indicating that it has been applied.
Action: There are two instances where the electric parking brake flashes:

1. When driving, the electronic parking brake is not fully released. A quick press on the control lever should release the brake. If the light remains on, contact a Citroën specialist.
2. When stationary and parked, the light will flash indicating that the electronic parking brake does not guarantee immobilisation of the vehicle. This could be due to being parked on a steep slope for example. To secure the vehicle, leave it in gear for manual or select P with an automatic gearbox.

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Name: Parking Brake Fault
Urgency: Medium
Description: If the electronic parking brake light with an exclamation mark illuminates in amber, it means there’s a malfunction with the system.
Action: Automatic release of the parking brake may not be available. Use the lever to manually release.

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Name: Parking Brake Deactivation
Urgency: Low
Description: This symbol indicates that the automatic functions of the electronic parking brake have been deactivated. It’s advisable that in certain conditions such as very cold weather (risk of freezing) or towing a caravan, that the automatic functions of the electronic parking brake be disabled.
Action: To deactivate the automatic functions of the electronic parking brake:

1. Start the engine.
2. Apply the parking brake with the control lever (if it is released).
3. Take your foot off the brake pedal.
4. Push and hold the control lever in the release direction for at least 10 seconds but no more than 15 seconds.
5. Release the control lever.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Pull the control lever in the apply direction for 2 seconds.

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Name: BRAKE
Urgency: High
Description: This red exclamation mark is associated with the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand brake system. It indicates brake fluid levels are low.
Action: Stop as soon as possible and check the brake fluid reservoir levels. If required, top up to the MAX. marker. Use Citroën recommended fluids only. IF this fault persists, it may indicates a leak within the sealed brake pipes.

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Name: ABS
Urgency: Medium
Description: ABS or anti-lock braking system became compulsory for all car manufactured in Europe from 2004. In the event of heavy braking, ABS kicks in to prevent the wheels from locking up. This in turn allows the driver to continue to steer.
Action: If the ABS lights up on your Citroën Picasso dash, it means the system has malfunctioned. Standard brakes are not affected, but you will be at higher risk of skidding and a greater loss of control under harsh braking.

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Name: EBFD
Urgency: Medium
Description: The red BRAKE warning light and the ABS amber light illuminating simultaneously indicates a fault with the Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD). EBFD is an additional safety feature that works with ABS to control the amount of braking on each individual wheel.
Action: As with ABS, EBFD does not affect your standard brakes but will put your vehicle under greater risk of a loss of control under heavy braking.

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Name: DSC/ASR
Urgency: Medium
Description: DSC ‘Dynamic Stability Control and ASR ‘Anti-slip Regulation’ and linked to ABS to help maintain stability of your Citroën C4 Picasso. It also allows the directional stability of the vehicle to be improved on acceleration. If the light comes on, it means that the system is in operation.
Action: If the light flashes, it indicates a fault and should be checked by an authorised engineer.

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Name: Engine Fault
Urgency: Medium / High
Description: This is commonly referred as the engine management light, or engine fault light. On the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand, it’s the Engine autodiagnosis system. This light should come on for a short time with ignition then go out. This fault light may either flash or stay on constantly to indicate a malfunction.
Action: Constant: Exhaust emission control system has a fault. Flashing: This is more serious than constant as damage may occur to the catalytic converter.

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Name: Airbags
Urgency: Medium
Description: The airbag warning light comes on initially with the engine for a short time, then goes out. This is a self-check system. If the light stays on or comes on when driving, there is a fault with one of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioner systems has a fault.
Action: If the front passenger seat gets frequently moved, check wiring under the seat is securely in place as this is where some of the system is located.

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Name: Passenger Airbag
Urgency: Medium
Description: If this passenger airbag light flashes, it means the system has a fault.
Action: It’s advisable to not have a passenger seated if this fault light is flashing. Have system checked as soon as possible.

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Name: Directional Headlights
Urgency: Low
Description: When full beam or dipped headlights are on, directional lighting allows the light beams to better follow the road. This considerably improves the quality of your lighting round bends.
Action: If this green symbol is flashing on the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand instrument cluster, it indicates that the directional headlights have a fault. Directional lighting can be activated or deactivated in the Driving aids menu, then Vehicle settings.

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Name: Battery
Urgency: Urgent
Description: The battery warning light comes on with ignition as normal and should go out shortly. If the red symbol illuminates while driving, it indicates a fault with the battery charging system.
Action: Possible faults include:

• dirty or loose terminals
• slack or cut alternator belt
• alternator malfunction
• faulty battery

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Name: Coolant
Urgency: Urgent
Description: This is the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand engine coolant light. If it comes on it means your engine is overheating.
Action: Stop as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Wait for the engine to cool and check the levels of coolant. Top up coolant if required. If the problem persists, seek assistance immediately.

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Name: Oil Pressure
Urgency: Urgent
Description: The red oil can symbolises low engine oil pressure. High oil pressure is required so that the oil lubricates essential engine components. Significant engine damage can occur.
Action: Stop as soon as you can and turn off the engine. <strong>Do not attempt to restart or continue to drive</strong>. Make arrangements to have your vehicle recovered.

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Name: Tyre Pressure
Urgency: Medium
Description: The symbol of a tyre containing an exclamation mark indicates that the pressure in one or more tyres is too low.
Action: Check tyre pressures as soon as possible. You must reinitialise the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) after the adjustment of one or more tyre pressures and after changing one or more wheels.

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Name: FAULT
Urgency: Medium
Description: The low typre pressure symbol (flashing then constant) + the SERVICE light indicate that the TPMS has malfunctioned and will no longer monitor tyre pressures.
Action: Check tyre pressures as soon as possible and have your Citroën Picasso tyre pressure monitoring system checked.

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Name: Brake Pedal
Urgency: Low
Description: This symbol indicates that you must press the brake pedal. The light may either be on constant or flashing.
Action: Constant: Vehicles with an electronic gearbox, press the brake pedal to
start the engine (lever in position N ). To release the parking brake without pressing the brake pedal, this warning lamp will remain on. With an automatic gearbox, press the brake pedal to move the gear selector out of position P.
Flashing: Vehicles with an electronic gearbox, if you hold the vehicle on an incline using the accelerator for too long, the clutch overheats. Use the brake pedal and/or the parking brake instead to avoid damage.

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Name: Foot on Clutch
Urgency: Low
Description: During the stop mode of Stop / Start, changing to start mode is not possible because the clutch pedal has not been depressed fully down.
Action: Fully release the clutch to allow start mode.

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Name: STOP
Urgency: Urgent
Description: The red STOP light illuminates in the Citroën C4 Picasso / Grand. It may be associated with another fault light, an audible sound and message. The STOP warning light is due to a serious fault with the braking or power steering systems, the electrical system, or with engine lubrication or cooling or a puncture.
Action: There is a high risk of the engine stopping and cutting out. Stop as soon as safe to do so and switch off the engine. Call for recovery.

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Name: SERVICE
Urgency: Medium
Description: The SERVICE light may comes on when associated with another warning light indicating a fault within that system. Alternatively, the light may come on temporarily or constantly.
Action: Fault light either illuminate constantly or temporarily:

Temporarily: A minor fault has occurred but not associated with any specific warning light. Faults will be identified by the messages:

• opening of a door, the boot or bonnet,
• low engine oil level,
• low screenwash/headlamp wash fluid level,
• discharged remote control battery,
• low tyre pressures,
• saturation of the particle emission filter (PEF) on diesel vehicles – see below.

Constantly: A major fault has occurred and can be identified by a message.

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Name: SERVICE PEF
Urgency: Medium
Description: SERVICE light in association with the particle emission filter (PEF) on diesel vehicle.
Action: On diesel versions of the Citroën Picasso, the diesel particulate filter may require cleaning. When traffic conditions permit, regenerate the filter by driving at a speed of at least 40 mph (60 km/h) until the warning lamp goes off. If the warning lamp stays on, this indicates a low additive level.

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