C3 Alarm

[andyf21]

Hi my daughters car was  involved in a hit and run  damaging the wing,headlight and bumper the car  can only be locked from one door and as soon as you open it the alarm goes off. any idea whats damaged and is a easy fix (alarm that is )

07775916778

 

Thanks Andy

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

What year/model/engine is the car/which side is the damage ?

 

Are you saying the key remote is not unlocking the car so you are having to use the key in the door lock ? If so, only using the key would not be expected to switch off the alarm until the engine is started. Does the dash mounted switch lock all the doors ?

[andyf21]

Hi it's a 2004 diesel  damage to passengers wing,headlight and inner arch liner, car was fine until damage.

Car only locks drivers door with key no central locking ,car turns over but will not start. Tried opening drivers door ,disconnect neg on battery left for 30secs insert key and turn on ing and reconnect battery then turn over car but no luck. the damage may have knocked something in the fuse box as this has moved slightly.I haven't tried the dash mounted switch as it's my daughters car didn't know it had one. will try it later.If I don't have any luck will book it in to my local garage and keep you informed of the outcome.

 

Thanks Andy.

[paul.h]

I am still a bit unclear.

 

Exactly which model and engine size is it e.g 1.4 hdi SX 8 valve engine. Was the central locking working before the crash ?

 

Do you not have a remote key for the car ? We had a C3 2003 1.4 petrol SX without an alarm, only the immobilser but with central locking. I think an alarm was an option. The remote locking buttons were on the key, but if the key was used in the door lock it would only lock the driver's door - there is a procedure in the handbook for locking the other doors. This was the same on  a 2005 Picasso we had but also the optional alarm was fitted - if the key and not the remote was used to unlock the driver's door, the alarm would go off until the engine was started.

 

Something to be aware of, Citroens do not like the battery being quickly disconnected/reconnected since odd electrical problems can result if the bsi is not allowed to shutdown. There is a battery disconnection/reconnection procedure in the Technical section Common Problems post that has worked for me.

 

If you look in the handbook there may be a collision fuel cut off switch under the bonnet somewhere which needs resetting. In our 2007 C5 handbook it is mentioned in the back under the user precautions section and listed in the contents. Did an airbag go off since a quick internet search for its location suggests it may part of the air bag system ?

 

If you need to go to a garage, you may be better using a Citroen dealer since they will have the correct diagnostic equipment.

[andyf21]

Hi as my daughter stays some miles away and I just called here, she doesn't know the model but its a 1.4hdi.

The remote key worked fine before the accident locking and unlocking all doors.the battery has now been disconnect as the alarm keeps going off.

the car turns over but wont start no air bag was deployed speaking of which I have ordered all the parts to replace and as soon as I get it started and moved to my unit.when removing wing,headlight and inner arch do I have to watch for anything that may trigger the air bags?

[paul.h]

The model type may be on a badge on the rear sides, just behind the rear door windows - could be lx, sx, exclusive. You will probably need to know this to get the right parts. You can also use the car VIN (seen at the passenger side of the windscreen from the outside at the bottom - will start VF7) in the service.citroen website (register as another professional, member of the Citroen Owners Club) to see the free parts diagrams and in a column on the left under Characteristics, you will see all the car details/options/etc when the car was made. If the alarm was a factory fit it will be listed.

 

Thoughts on the problems -

 

The remote key may just need to be re-initialised to the car. In the handbook it will say how to do this where it has the remote key battery replacement section. It is often something like - put it in the ignition switch and push a button on the remote for a few seconds. The car battery will need to be connected to do this so follow the connection procedure in the Common problems post.

 

The alarm constantly going off may be the bonnet is not fully shut due to the crash, or the bonnet alarm switch has moved out of position. To switch off the alarm will need the remote to work or the engine to be started. Also the alarm could have movement sensors if it is an aftermarket one, which may be at fault.

 

Under the left wing is the abs modulator, you need to check this has not been damaged and is not leaking brake fluid - do the brakes work to stop the car (the servo will not be working though until the engine runs). We had a C4 that had a bump on the left front wing and the modulator (in the same location as the C3) had to be replaced and programmed at a dealer - cost was part of the repairs on the insurance but I think was about £600.

 

You should not have any problems with the airbags whilst working on the wing area.

[andyf21]

Hi paul thanks for your time,will give that a try.

Andy

[andyf21]

Hi car has been at local garage but they couldn't fix it ,managed to contact an auto electrician who is coming to have a look soon.