Radio off with ignition?

[HailVectron]

I've never had this before, usually, when you stop the engine, the radio will continue until you remove the key. Is this normal with the DS3 though? It's annoying when you park up, but then have to turn the ignition on again to get the radio back up. Worse, if you're Bluetooth streaming, the system reverts back to radio, and you have to switch sources again.

On a side note - the system seems to go into an 'eco mode' after a few minutes too - and you can't get the radio on at all after about 5 minutes - unless you start the engine??? Am I doing something wrong?

[BeefMasta]

Eco mode is the ECUs way of preserving battery power. I think the maximum time you can run the radio without the engine is around 25-30 mins, depending on how long the car was running previously.

[Gazski66]

I've never had this before, usually, when you stop the engine, the radio will continue until you remove the key. Is this normal with the DS3 though? It's annoying when you park up, but then have to turn the ignition on again to get the radio back up. Worse, if you're Bluetooth streaming, the system reverts back to radio, and you have to switch sources again.

On a side note - the system seems to go into an 'eco mode' after a few minutes too - and you can't get the radio on at all after about 5 minutes - unless you start the engine??? Am I doing something wrong?

This is all correct, a pain when you want the radio on while cleaning, sometimes think the Eco mode need to be disabled

[HailVectron]

This is all correct, a pain when you want the radio on while cleaning, sometimes think the Eco mode need to be disabled

Damn, I hoped it was a setting I'd missed!! The ignition thing is the worst though, especially with how much parking-while-the-mrs-pops-into-Asda/Tesco/Next, I have to do on the weekend...

[Bigfeet]

Search for 'Economy mode' for more info.

[MARK.A]

I have an after market head unit installed when ignition goes into eco mode radio stays on till I turn ignition off

[Chris_Blue]

the going off after half hour is a right pain- especially when washing the car on a Saturday aftnoon, listening to the footie

[JacoJa]

I bought my DS3 sport only recently. Great car, but this is the only real problem I have with it. To be unable to listen to the car stereo while parked is extremely annoying to me. I emailed Citreon about the issue. Here's what they replied with yesterday:

Me:

Hello.

I'm writing in regards to the Eco mode feature on my '11 Citroen DS3. If the car is stationary and I turn the engine off, the car will not allow me to listen to music or the radio. I know it probably does this to avoid draining the battery, but as it only takes about a minute or so to turn off after the engine stops, it is extremely annoying. It forces me to turn the engine on and idle just to listen to music.

I was wondering if there was a way to disable it, or does Citroen have any way of reprogramming the system to turn it off or extend the time? It's the only real frustration I have for an otherwise brilliant car.

Your help would be much appreciated.

Citroen:

Thank you for writing to us about the economy mode on your DS3

The length of time before the car goes into economy mode depends on how long the engine has been running beforehand, and the battery condition.

This is because the economy mode measures the charge in the battery and kicks in when it gets too low. The longer the engine runs, the greater the charge in the battery – and the longer your radio (for example) will stay on after the engine is turned off (up to 30 minutes).

I hope I’ve explained this clearly. If there’s anything else we can do for you, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help.

Makes more sense now, but I still wish there was an option to deactivate it.

[HailVectron]

... You could probably run the radio for days without draining the car battery - how much power does it draw!!

[MARK.A]

my 2003 pug 307 did this so does my dads 206 has I said in previous post I have changed to a jvc head unit and now when economy mode kicks in the radio stays working but I do have to leave ignition switched on

[RichardL]

... You could probably run the radio for days without draining the car battery - how much power does it draw!!

From personal experience, not as long as you'd think... and it's a road I'm not willing to go down again.

In my old C1 I had my radio on for around 30-40 minutes whilst I was breaking up with an ex. Turned the key and the battery was flat. I had to get her dad out to help me push start it. Super awkward, although do bear in mind that the C1's battery is probably smaller.

[Chris_Blue]

Its certainly a naff eco device- the radio going off

[lfcrule1972]

I view it as nannying the DS3 owners, we should be able to deactivate this feature via the menu functions, if you left the radio on for hours you'd have to be a fool to not expect some battery drain - the point is that it should be our choice. Also most batteries if you turn the radio off and then wait 10mins you should be able to start the car assuming the battery can still hold a charge

[[OLD]Teamtorquesteer]

Such a pity they didn't follow every other manufacturer ....... any FORD push the radio on button and it comes on and stays on for 1 hour before switching off without the key being anywhere near the ignition !

[Bigfeet]

What a bunch of moaning minnies!

The Eco-mode is more than just the radio of the car, the multipex wiring requires power to be connected for the immobilser unit as well which is why the system is in place.