Newbie With Clutch Judder

[Libby]

Hi all!

 

I've just bought an 04 Pluriel Sensodrive and there is occasionally a bit of clutch judder when setting off. Is this normal, or should I get the dealer to check it out?

[kfk]

Hi all!

 

I've just bought an 04 Pluriel Sensodrive and there is occasionally a bit of clutch judder when setting off. Is this normal, or should I get the dealer to check it out?

Depends when it does it, if its when pulling out of a steep incline it could be normal operation if you have been holding it on the clutch (you shouldnt do that for long periods).

 

If in doubt get it checked by your dealer as it may have a clutch actuator fault.

[hertsnminds]

If you are new to sensodrives it could just be your driving style. It takes a while to adjust to a sensodrive, nothing like an auto or manual box.

 

The other time other owners have reported this was in damp conditions.

 

If the car is an 04 it must have just had or be due for it's 2 year (20,000 mile) service you can get it looked at then (or find out from who just serviced it, if it was looked at).

 

There have been some software updates for the sensodrive box and any Citroen dealer will be able to tell you if your car has the latest revision.

 

Have a search through the forum for other posts about the sensodrive system.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[lupin]

My 2005 Sensodrive Pluriel has always had an occasional touch of clutch judder - say once every 10 or 15 miles of town driving. It just seems to be a feature of the under-engineered Sensodrive drive train.

[Libby]

The service was done by the car supermarket we bought it from, so I'll give the local dealer a call and see what they say. One of the windows has a habit of closing on its own, so I need to get that looked at too. I think I'm going to call it 'erbie as it has a mind of its own!

[hertsnminds]

I think I'm going to call it 'erbie as it has a mind of its own!

As long as you don't end up calling it Jemima (Puddleduck) becuase of all the water leaks.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[NickW]

Well, Libby has had the clutch replaced under warranty (leaking crankshaft oil seal).

 

It would have been sorted sooner, but as it's a sensodrive, the local dealer assumed the problem was down to a faulty driver :D

[sooz]

I bought a 54 Pluriel with Sensodrive 5 months ago, and it has been back to the dealer 3 times in that period because of juddering and lack of response at low speeds; a software upgrade did not help matters, and it is going back to the garage next week for a replacement clutch actuator (?spelling!). Finally the garage admits that it is not down to my driving technique!

[lupin]

Sooz,

I'll be interested to hear how you get on. My Sensodrive clutch judders occasionally, and sometimes "snatches" rather than engaging smoothly. The behaviour of the Sensodrive system at low speed, however, is downright dangerous in my opinion. Turning sharply off a main road into a side road with a steep incline (as I have to do to reach my house) is the prime example - with the gearbox refusing to select any gear for several seconds until the car starts to slide backwards down the slope, then rngaging with a jerk. Also unacceptable is when you slow down to a near stop on approaching a roundabout then try to accelerate away again quickly when a gap in the traffic appears - only for nothing to happen for several seconds (during which time you naturally apply more throttle in an attempt to get the car to move). The clutch will then suddenly decide to engage, and propel the car into the traffic like a rocket, with tyres squealing, but several seconds after the gap in the traffic has already passed. Both embarassing dangerous if you ask me!

[ANNEC]

I am interested to know what has happened about anyone's clutch judder problem. I bought an 03 new, the clutch was replaced in Feb this year, now I have the same problem again. The judder is at its worst when moving away on inclines, but also happens on the flat.

 

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Guest CE05LDB]

Mine seems to make a little bang between changes in damp weather. Ok after a mile or 2 then

[hertsnminds]

My 03 Pluriel was the same, I think a lot of the 03 Version 1 sensodrives had similar issues.

 

Always worse when cold and damp but OK after the car had warmed up.

 

It always amazed me that the sensodrive would allow wheel spin when pulling away and just how easy it was to confuse the system, e.g. brake on the approach to a roundabout, see it's clear and accelerate then wait 3 seconds while the computer sorts itself out before giving you power.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[Guest CE05LDB]

I thought exactly the same Ian. My brothers car is still playing up. The Sensodrive Gear box is totally crap on his.

[53catalina]

My 04 also judders but only on inclines.

local dealer advised the car cant decide which gear to select. (1st or 2nd)

To beat the problem I use the paddles. select and hold first gear and there is no problem.

I live on an incline so I have to do this every day.

On the level, there is no problem.

[hertsnminds]

My 04 also judders but only on inclines.

You could try it with a different amount of accelerator applied as the sensodrive will be working things out based upon engine revs, position of the pedals, traction of the wheels, load on the engine amongst other things.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+