C3 Turbo Not Working After Engine Restart

[Wervdon]

Hello,

 

I own a C3 SX 1.4 HDI 16V (2005). There is no problem at all when I start the car and drive. Everything looks fine. But when I need to stop the car for a short time (to buy gas for example) turbo won't function properly from that time on. The gear or rpm won't matter, turbo won't work. As a result, car is having difficulties on elevated roads, can't accelerate etc. No warning lights are on, but turbo not working.

 

To fix this I need to stop the engine and wait for about 1 hour, then it goes back to normal again.

 

I'm going to visit Citroen Service tomorrow, on the phone they said it's probably MAF Sensor malfunction. They also said it would cost quite a lot if they need to replace it, around 400 Euro. The problem is, I quote:

 

"It's most likely that the problem is due to the Maf Sensor, but we cannot be certain. However, if we replace it and the problem persists we can't refund you cause it's an electronic equipment. No refunds once we install it."

 

Anyone experienced a similar problem before?

 

Thanks

[paul.h]

Possibly a diagnostic check first looking at the live data (and any fault codes) from all the various sensors may show what is wrong, rather than replacing parts and seeing if the problem is solved or not. It could be something such as a faulty coolant temperature sensor rather than a MAF sensor.

[Wervdon]

Possibly a diagnostic check first looking at the live data (and any fault codes) from all the various sensors may show what is wrong, rather than replacing parts and seeing if the problem is solved or not. It could be something such as a faulty coolant temperature sensor rather than a MAF sensor.

 

Thanks for the response.

 

Diagnostic check showed no fault at all. I was watching when they plugged the car, everything was OK. The car runs perfectly till I stop the engine. Currently I'm looking for a second-hand MAF sensor so I can check if it will solve the problem.

[paul.h]

During the diagnostic check was the car stopped and then restarted to try to give the fault ?

It may be worthwhile to check the MAF sensor wiring connector is clean and also see if the MAF is clean internally - if not it may be possible to clean with carburettor cleaner spray.

[Wervdon]

Yes. I started to think it would be better if the problem was just the MAF Sensor. Hope it's not something more costly.

[Wervdon]

Update: They replaced the MAF Sensor and problem is solved.

[paul.h]

Pleased it is sorted and hope it was not too expensive.

[Wervdon]

Here is the weird situation:

 

My original MAF Sensor was obviously problematic so I replaced it with a second-hand (since it was 1/5 of the price of brand-new one). All problems were gone, however engine fault light was on. Fault code P1103 MAF Sensor In Range But Higher Than Expected. So I thought it's probably because of the second-hand sensor, got another from the second-hand store, replaced it. Everything was the same.

 

Original MAF Sensor - traction was very bad, but no fault lights are on

Second-hand MAF Sensor #1 - everything is good, but fault light is on (P1103)

Second-hand MAF Sensor #2 - everything is good, but fault light is on (P1103)

 

 

Possibilities:

1- Second-hand sensors could be faulty but working sufficiently, but it's not likely that both are at the same state (that is, working properly enough to run the car with no apparent defects but also faulty enough to turn engine fault light on)

2- Second-hand sensors are not 100% identical to the original one. Although the seller said that he has sold many of these for C3 16V models, and none of them were identical to the original but they all worked fine, that could be the problem

3- Something else could be wrong (connectors, etc.)

 

Maybe someone else experiences the same problems in the future, that's why I'm writing it in detail.

 

I will take the car to the Citroen Authorized Service on weekend.

[paul.h]

Just had a look on the service.citroen site at the parts diagrams and the different engine sizes have different part numbers for the MAF sensors - all start 1920 but then have 2 letters which are different depending on the engines. The 1.4 hdi 90 engine is 1920LC.

 

Have you tried refitting the old one to see if the fault code goes ?