C3 - Violent Stalling When Cold........

[BarryK]

Ooops - Header should read "2004 C3 1.4 Hdi Senso"

 

I've had this problem on my '04 C3 senso 1.4 HDi intermittantly from brand new - I posted this problem in another topic, with no reaction from anyone, I'd really like to know if anyone has had this fault, Citroen dealer claims never to have heard of it and also claims that no alarms are generated.

 

The problem usually happens in cold weather, when the engine is first started. (and very occasionally when the engine is hot)

 

Car starts OK but as soon as I select reverse and press the accelerator, the engine starts to falter and after a second or so the car stalls violently, and I do mean VIOLENTLY, the whole car really shakes - it feels like the transmission has taken a terrific beating.

 

 

Very occasionally the faltering engine note is accompanied by a ratcheting sound, as if maybe the gear has not fully selected.

 

This started happening within the 1st month of ownership (Sepember 04) and repeated checks by the dealer have failed to find any fault - after 5 years I stopped reporting the problem, it still happens but I now have almost a sixth sense about it and when it's about to happen, I quickly turn the ignition off, wait a couple of seconds and it always re-starts OK - still catches me out occasionally tho'...still scares the s###t out of me.

 

The most annoying thing about this whole episode is that the dealer didn't appear to believe it was happening ( "......it doesn't show up on the computer mate, so it must be your imagination.........." )

 

The car doesn't get used very much (still under 20,000 on the clock after nearly 7 years) but I'd dearly love to find a solution to this problem.

 

:blink: ............... :)

Edited April 20, 2011 by BarryK

[paul.h]

Sounds as if the revs are too low on start up, could possibly be a temperature sensor problem or accelerator pedal problem, reminds me of adjusting a manual choke. I replaced the accelerator pedal on ours (1.4 sx petrol 2003, manual), it was about £40 and 2 nuts to fit plus cable connector to undo, since at low revs it did not pick up smoothly (revs jumped about) and made setting off difficult. I think there is a known problem on the pedals but in time I would expect the electrical contacts/tracks to wear anyway. Also had something similar on a Saab which turned out to be a faulty spark plug and caused jerking when cold, sorted with new plugs, obviously not relevant for a diesel but maybe a glow plug problem although hdi is not meant to use them unless really cold.

[BarryK]

Thanks Paul

 

I did wonder about the revs, although it does seem to tickover at a reasonable speed - about 8-900 rpm, IIRC.

 

Come to think about it, you have to press the pedal quite a way before the clutch starts to bite (crappo senso gearbox!!!) so speeding up the tickover may be the way forward - I s'pose the only way to get that done is to take to the stealers.........

 

Think I'll have to get me a Lexia 3, I also have a C5 hdi with about 110,000 on the clock - that shows all the classic C5 faults so the lex will help me to get that sorted too.

 

Cheers

Barry

[BarryK]

After getting the front coil springs etc. replaced free of charge (see other post) I spoke to the service manager about the 'violent stalling' fault - she suggested that I book the car in for a complete diagnostic check and examination (apparently the normal diagnostic test only checks and clears any alarms that are flagged, and if they clear OK no further action is taken.......)

 

So I paid my 40 odd quid, figured it was worth that just to try to find the problem.

 

The technician spent a good 90 minutes checking all the electronics and sensors - he found a couple of faults logged. One was not relevant and 2 were gearbox related.

 

When he checked further he found that a plug, that gives engine speed/road speed information to the gearbox, was not connected correctly, but couldn't say for how long this had been the case.

 

Anyway, after the plug had been fitted properly, I drove the car home and couldn't believe the difference, gear change was much smoother and the car felt like a different animal.

 

So far, touch wood, the car has not stalled at all - so if it doesn't happen again in the next few weeks, it would seem that the connector may have been fitted incorrectly from new - thank goodness that the original supplier, Kent Elms Citroen, are now out of business and Kudos to the Citroen service dept at Toomeys of Basildon.

 

If you're reading this, Thanks again Hannah - great job!

 

 

 

Thanks Paul

 

I did wonder about the revs, although it does seem to tickover at a reasonable speed - about 8-900 rpm, IIRC.

 

Come to think about it, you have to press the pedal quite a way before the clutch starts to bite (crappo senso gearbox!!!) so speeding up the tickover may be the way forward - I s'pose the only way to get that done is to take to the stealers.........

 

Think I'll have to get me a Lexia 3, I also have a C5 hdi with about 110,000 on the clock - that shows all the classic C5 faults so the lex will help me to get that sorted too.

 

Cheers

Barry

[paul.h]

Hopefully the problem is now fixed and it is the best £40 you have ever spent on the car and you have found a good dealer.