Clear the UREA warning light on Peugeot and Citroën

If you own a diesel-powered Peugeot vehicle like a 208, 308, Partner… or a Citroën such as a C3, C4, Berlingo…, you've probably noticed the UREA warning light appearing on your dashboard. This light may also be accompanied by a “starting impossible” message.

What does it mean?

Why is it showing up?

How can you turn off the warning light?

What does the UREA warning light look like on a Peugeot or Citroën?

To locate the UREA warning light in your Peugeot or Citroën, check your dashboard. In most vehicles, it's near the speedometer or the tachometer.

It appears as an orange icon featuring a wavy line with the label "UREA" above it. It's often displayed alongside the “SERVICE” warning light.

Depending on the model year and version of your vehicle, a warning message such as “Top up emissions additive: Starting impossible in …km” may also appear on your dashboard, possibly accompanied by an audible alert.

If in doubt, refer to your vehicle's user manual.

Why does the warning light turn on?

Your UREA warning light can be triggered for several reasons, which you’ll need to identify first to apply the correct solution.

First, if the warning light blinks along with the “SERVICE” light, your first step should be to top up the UREA tank with the appropriate diesel exhaust fluid.

If the light remains on or is also accompanied by the engine warning light, this could point to a more serious issue affecting the vehicle’s emission control system.

How to turn off the UREA warning light on Peugeot / Citroën?

Manually clearing the UREA warning light

1. Top up the UREA tank: Use a fluid approved by the manufacturer (available at gas stations or garages) to avoid damaging your vehicle.
2. Restart the vehicle: Simply restarting the engine after topping up can sometimes turn off the warning light.
3. Drive the vehicle: The warning light may switch off after driving a certain distance or completing a few trips.
4. Run a diagnostic: If the light remains on, consult your dealership or a certified garage. The issue might require a deeper inspection using a Car Diagnostics Scanner to check the electronic system.

The warning light stays on after refilling

What could be the reasons?

• Crystallization: UREA can crystallize when exposed to air or low temperatures. Crystals may clog the injector or parts of the tank, causing the SCR system to malfunction. You can use an anti-crystallizing additive every time you refill the UREA tank.
• Injector problems: These are crucial for dispersing the additive into the exhaust system but may get blocked due to crystallization or impurities in the fluid.
• Tank issues: Overfilling or spillage may deform the UREA tank due to excessive pressure or buildup of crystals.
• Faulty sensor: The sensor detecting fluid level may have an electronic fault, falsely indicating the tank is empty.
• Electrical issues: There may be communication failures between components in the system.

How to clear the UREA warning light with the Klavkarr scanner?

You can reset the UREA warning light on Peugeot and Citroën vehicles using our Klavkarr 210 or 310 Car Diagnostics Scanner. Just follow these steps:

1. Turn on the vehicle’s ignition
2. Plug the Klavkarr scanner into the OBD2 port
3. Launch the EOBD-Facile app
4. Select your vehicle make: "Peugeot" / "Citroën"
5. Then select your vehicle model: "208, 308, ..." / "C3, C4, ..."
6. Select the ECUs to scan: "Engine ECU" and "Additive ECU"
7. Click "Next"
8. Select the "Engine ECU"
9. Check the fault codes displayed
10. Clear the codes by clicking "Clear"

To remove the "Starting impossible" message from your dashboard, also do the following:

1. Go to "Special Functions" (available only with the Klavkarr scanner)
2. Click "Execute" next to "Clear NOx system fault"
3. Ensure ignition is on and click "OK"
4. Once the operation is completed, click "OK"
5. Turn off the ignition and wait a few minutes before restarting

Learn more

That wraps up this article on the UREA warning light in your Peugeot or Citroën. If you have tips or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

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