martytno1

Hello all, Just purchased an IDC A04 and sold the A09. Thanks for assistance and people, please learn from my mistake. General rule: Pre 2005 facelift : IDC A09 (Code end in XT) Post 2005 facelift : IDC A04 (Code end in CAN) Thanks a lot, Martin

Hi, May I just guide you towards all of the current JD Power Surveys, Auto Express Driver 100 surveys and general feedback from magazines. The C3 has consistently beaten all of its rivals except for the japenese models such as the Jazz and Yaris. Why is this? Well the japenese don't know how to build a car for the love of it, theyre simply money spinners. You buy a french car for its flair and style, and reliability is just a bonus. Turns out though, it is reliable. The only time they go wrong is when owners faff around with them. It has beaten the following cars over the last 4 years in most surveys that I've found: Fiesta, Punto, Corsa, 206, Micra, Clio, Ka, Panda, POLO (yes it beats a VW). Citroen has moved on from the AX and Saxo. Theyre good cars now. Um....think I've just put the biggest jinx ever on my car after that.... If you are still unsure, there are three simple checks: Interior: The plastics and build quality are dissapointing. Check their condition. Electrics: There's a lot of computer-gismatronomies in the car. Check them. Common problems are stereos loosing their codes and memory, central locking doing a 'bounce back' where it locks then immeadiately unlocks again. Gearboxes: They're shocking. Listen out for crunches in gear and a overly resistant gear change. £££ Apart from that, enjoy them. They're incredibly easy to drive, comfortable and boast one of the biggest boot capacities in the class (ignore 'what?' car mags say). There's loads of kit as standard, and they're cheap as chips to run and own. Plus, there's the 45+ mpg. Martin :(

Hi Martin. The Citroen stereos don't work off a pin number or CODE. You may be used to inputting a 4 digit number when the battery goes flat, but instead, Citroen/Peugeot pair the Car and Stereo together via the VIN number. This has to be done by a professional who usually charges £30 for the service. The stereo (should it ever be stolen) wouldn't work in another car, until the same procedure was carried out. You may need to prove that the stereo was bought legit by possibly presenting the current VIN stored in the stereo. As far as your key, you have the original credit card with the 4 digit passcode to your immobiliser right? Then explain the problem, take the card, they'll ask for your address as verifiaction and they will update the card *I meant key.... Get the stereo done at the same time, you may even get a knockdown price. Hope I've helped. Martin.

Hey, Thank you both for your very detailed replies :( We owned a Vauxhall Calibra SE8 back in 2001, had it for 3 months, used the air-con once for a 30min journey and it was knackered. Take it its the same for all cars so definately, USE YOUR AIRCON. Oh and anybody who says "oh my mpg will plummet" RUBBISH. The power will decrease slightly but on an average tank of fuel, you only get around 6-8 miles less than without your aircon. Thanks again chaps. Martin :D

Hey again. I am trying to find the answer to all of our problems at once so the final problem I have is not knowing the life of the air-conditioner. The C3 and C4 Picasso both have airconditioning, and its always on. We cover around 8000miles a year in each of them, so does anybody know when its necessary? Our service guides are in Spanish so we cant understand a bloody word of it. Any help will be very gratefully received, Thanks Martin

Okay then here's the problem. Our car is a 2007 Grand C4 PICASSO 1.8 SX, lhd in Spain. When the vehicle pulls away (1st gear) there is a massive jerk as it pulls away then the power completely dissapears for 3 seconds or so then you get the full sudden surge of power leaving the wheels spinning. Now, I may only be 19, but I'm not sad enough to do a burnout in a panzer tank, so any idea what the problem is? Also, the gearbox is dreadful. Its the manual, and I can not believe the force necessary to change gear. Plus second is down on power. Our car has covered 5500kms since April, (around 3000 as a rough est. in miles) so is it just that it hasn't loosened up yet? Oh, and it can get you in trouble. Its so quite and relaxing I was wondering why I was thundering past lorries and traffic on the Spanish Motorway's, and why the cars infront were parting like the red sea. Only when I glanced at the speedo, I noticed that I clocked up a very relaxing 167kms/h (103mph). Um.... Lol, thanks for help. Martin :rolleyes:

LOL, I know exactly what you mean! We own a C4 Picasso aswell as a C3 and we got the scuff plates. What's worse, you actually don't have to glue them in, so it's even LESS work than you thought. You just peel off the back and stick on! If you can source the mudflaps I'm sure someone like yourself could fit them, but I think I'd struggle...also if ANYBODY can source door sill protectors (original Citroen, theyre the black ones) can you please, please let me know. I've tried entire UK, clearence specialists, Spain, France....help? Good luck with your venture, Martin

Hi, I can advise you on some of the problems which I know about. The radio losing its stations and the clock is a common problem, usually caused by some half a job who knows nothing about cd players fiddling with the back of the strereo. You can source an extra part available on the internet which converts your cars current wiring loom into the correct format. To stop making the problem worse, consult your dealership or audio expert for advice. The drivers door remote control locking is also linked to the stereo problem. Is your car fitted with an aftermarket stereo? Citroens don't like aftermarket stereo's fitted. Speak to other owners here displaying the same troubles about advice although, rewiring the stereo and firring an original part (Clarion units for 2002-2004 and SIEMENS for 2005-present) will fix this. The front lights have been known to fog up on early cars. A simple replacement part can be sourced, fitted and re-aligned by citroen for a minimal charge, Citroen are aware of this problem. Is your car a 2002-2003? It isn't a common problem after these years. As far as your windscreen wipers, you rotate the right hand stalk to the 0 position to turn off. If this doesn't work it's probably related to the door and stereo electrics. With regards to a replacement manual, sellers on eBay offer them from time to time for around 5pound, however, emailing citroen via their website, www.citroen.co.uk and going to contact customer services, they supplied me one f.o.c. posted to Spain as my manual was in Espanol. Hope I have helped, Martin ;)

Damn. Want to buy an IDC A09? lol. I tried to be a smart ar.. and its back fired. Thanks for your advice, it is very much appreciated. By the way, will the IDC A04 work? Thanks kfk. Martin

Hello people. You all seem very knowledgable people here and I was wondering if any of you folk could help me. I purchased a Blaupunkt IDC AO9 PSA part off ebay in working order for a 2005 car prior facelift. What I need is a new lead for the 2006 Furio I have got. Any websites, email addresses, companies, contacts or just general advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking and I will try and help any of you aswell. Martin