Citroen Problems SolvedWhen well maintained Citroens are very reliable cars. But as with most makes of car, there are a few common faults with Citroens. The most comon problems are listed below.
With over 20 years fixing Citroens and the latest diagnostic software, we know how to fix any problem your Citroen might be experiencing. For a free chat about the problem your Citroen has ask the Car Doctor on Facebook. |
|
Car cuts out and the ESP light comes on.
Citroen, Xsara Picasso Diesel - 2006 model. It is normally in the morning. You then switch the car off, wait a minute and start it again. It then happily starts and off you go. We have had it serviced and a new fuel filter was fitted. The fault is intermittent. The diagnostic memory will need to be read on the car to retrieve any remembered faults but it could be a sticky EGR valve. C3 Pluriel: boot does not open & roof only opens to first marker. The roof will not open fully and button needs to be pressed twice to close it. Diagnostic test required but overhaul kit possibly required. C4 1.6VTR+, 57 reg: Key fob security fault? Whenever we use the key with the remote locking fob we get a warning message on the dash stating vehicle security faulty. This causes the engine to turn over but sometimes it will not start? Does the spare key do the same? If not, it is possible that there is a transponder fault in plip key or a programming fault. Sometimes, if you remove all of the keys from the car using the diagnostic equipment and then re-allocate them this will clear the fault. However, it is imperative that Citroen diagnostic equipment is used and that all of the keys to the car are taken off/re-allocated at the same time. You will need the security code for the car (4 digit number). Citroen C4 Picasso "DPF additive low" warning on dash. Does it require replacement of the Eolys fluid? Yes and reprogramming and regeneration. Citroen C3: the car stalled turning into a drive the other day. Ever since then the SERV light on the dashboard has come on when I turn the ignition - it beeps and quickly goes off? Diagnostic test required to retrieve details of fault log on memories. Citroen C5 2002 plate 2.2 Hdi: intermittent message appears "unblock diesel filter". Also occasionally the ESP/ASR stops functioning and it says “anti-pollution fault” but then after sitting for a while it is fine on restarting. There would appear to be a fault with the fuel additive system (FAP Filter) which can usually be unblocked by running what is known as a Regeneration of the PF Filter. However a diagnostic test must be carried out first to ensure that there are no faults on the system. In fact, the system will not allow a regeneration to take place unless the system is fault free. Citroen Relay van 54 plate: lacks power all the time. When you come to a slight hill it just slows right down, it is always throwing out black smoke, also it misfires at 3000 revs. Possible air mass meter or EGR fault. Automatic Gearbox Fault Affecting all Citroen models with AL4 gearbox Modified electro valve required which will also need re-programming (which we can do). DO NOT LEAVE THIS FAULT as it can cause further problems. FAULT: Turbo failure Citroen Xsara Picasso (2004 onwards) Citroen C4 (2004 onwards) Citroen C5 (Mark II) (2004 onwards) Citroen Berlingo van (2005 onwards) Citroen C3 (2005 onwards) ENGINE: 1.6 HDi Turbo CAUSE OF FAULT: It is believed that the turbo failure is as a result of the oil and filter renewal intervals being too far apart. RECTIFYING THE FAULT & RECOMMENDATIONS: As well as the turbo being renewed it is recommended that the oil feed and return pipes are renewed. It is recommended the oil pick up strainer in the sump is renewed also. POSSIBLE PREVENTION: We would recommend the oil and filter to be changed every 6,000 miles (or a year) regardless of the age of the vehicle and this should be carried out before and after turbo failure - you should also maintain the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals. Renewing the oil and filter in between services will not invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty on a vehicle 3 years old or less. An oil and filter change is inexpensive and could save you from a costly, inconvenient repair to renew the turbo. Citroen C4 vtr+ 1.6: non-starter and no power to injectors? Diagnostic test required firstly. Citroen C4 Picasso is putting diesel into the engine oil? Possible injector fault. Citroen Berlingo 1.9d, 55 plate: engine won’t start. Battery good and turning over. Injectors? As the van is the 1.9d model it is less likely to be an injector fault. It is more likely to be the DDS unit on the fuel pump located under the big steel plate where the pipes come out of the pump on the top. Get yourself a steel punch and tap it with a hammer on that plate whilst someone turns the vehicle over. The vibration may cause the solenoid to fire over allowing the vehicle to start. Once it is started, take it straight to a garage (Citroen specialist) because it may well not start again. |
Electric Parking Brake Fault Warning Light On
Fault must firstly be erased from the memory using diagnostic software before re-programming (we can do this). Affects Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso 1.6hdi (2006-2010 Juddering in 1st Gear with Engine at Idle Diagnostic test required to check and adjust engine management parameters. Also check engine/transmission mountings and replace as necessary. Affects Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso 1.6 hdi (2006-2010) & Citroen C3 1.1 (2002-2010) ABS/ESP Warning Lamp Illuminated/Stop Lamps Not Working Replace brake pedal position (BPP) switch with modified unit. Fit adaptor harness to BPP switch and existing harness. Secure adaptor harness to fascia fuse box support with retaining clip. Affects Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso 1.6 hdi (2006-2010) Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Lamp Illuminated Fault must firstly be erased from the memory using diagnostic software. Check condition of engine coolant temperature sensor and replace if necessary. Affects Citroen C3 1.1 (2002-2010) Clutch Judder when Pulling Away Replace clutch pressure plate. Affects Citroen C3 1.1 (2002-2010) Citroen C5: central locking not working from key fob. We have renewed battery in key fob & tried all reset options to no avail? Firstly, test the keys for a signal output. This takes only a few minutes with the correct equipment. If the keys are operating correctly, a full system diagnostic test will be required to investigate further. Citroen C2 VTR 2004: intermittent loss of power for a second or two during normal driving. Also does it occasionally when sharp cornering e.g. exiting a roundabout. Had diagnostics at local garage and indicated crank sensor fault, changed sensor but didn't help. Also replaced coil pack and plugs still no joy? Has the memory been properly erased after diagnostic test? If so, it will need to be re-read before you go any further. Check the oil level as variable valve timing can be a problem (if your car has it). Also check for momentary clatter when engine first starts up. Citroen C5 Tourer 2008: fault with front windscreen wipers. Left one stops working, right one goes to top and moves back and forth approx. 10 inches. A: There is a procedure to re-synchronise the wiper motors but you will need the last 8 digits of the chassis no. to proceed further. XSARA PICASSO DESIRE 2 HD 5 speed manual judder When pulling away in 1st gear from stationary I’m getting a severe judder? This sounds like classic signs of a worn clutch but please be advised to check whether your vehicle also has a dual mass flywheel as this may also need replacement. Citroen Xsara Picasso, 2.0 auto: Automatic gear failure between 1st and 2nd gear. Stays in 2nd gear when slowing down? Diagnostic test required but possible pressure regulation fault: renew electro valves Citroen C4 Picasso 2010: water leaking into driver’s side footwell. How to check? Shine a torch through the scuttle panel (the plastic panel that meets the bottom of the screen and the bonnet). On the left and right-hand side check the vents to see if there is water sitting in them. If so, then the drain points at the corners of the panel will need to be unblocked. Citroen C4 Grand Picasso auto 2008: brake lights, ABS and ESP warning lights coming on intermittently after driving approx 15 miles. If you stop the car and restart, the lights go out. Hill start and cruise control functions are in-op when warning lights are on and we are also getting gear selection problems but can change gear using the paddle sometimes? First of all, a global ECU diagnostic test using manufacturer’s equipment is absolutely essential. The ESP/ABS fault is a temporary fault and clears when you turn the vehicle off and re-start. As the ESP/ABS generates vehicle speed information, the gearbox won’t be able to calculate gear change strategy correctly without the ESP information on speed. Therefore, I would focus my diagnostic on the ESP fault to start with and unravel from there based on the information you have given me and without inspecting the car. We are also aware of some inherent loom faults but I recommend proceeding as above. Citroen C3 2008 reg: keeps making warning sounds and saying various lights aren't working. (brake light, left indicator and side light) but I've checked them and they all seem to be working? Fault in n/s/r lamp or BSI. Citroen Picasso: airbag light staying on. Is this a reason for mot failure? Yes! Citroen Xsara Picasso: When the car is switched off and then locked after 5-10 minutes the radio comes on and the digital dash lights up (no warning lights)? This could be a possible BSI fault. The BSI has a self diagnostic function which will trigger to inform you that the BSI is faulty. Another possible cause is the radio itself. Due to it being positioned directly in front of the heater, the radio can be damaged by excess heat. Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 hdi 92 bhp 2006: Intermittently cuts out when accelerating and then runs again. Occasionally stalls at junctions but will restart. I have cleaned the EGR valve which was not that dirty? Renew the fuel filter first of all then test for fault. If the problem persists, then the vehicle will need to have a global diagnostic test carried out using manufacturer’s equipment. Convertible Roof Faults
Sometimes the roof may fail to fully open or close fully, especially if it has not been used for a while or if the car battery is not in tip top condition. This is not necessarily a big job to rectify. The roof will need to be pulled manually from the closed to open position and the fault cleared from the memory. This will in most cases remedy the fault as the roof re-calibrates its movements from closed to open. |