Incurable Problem

[cmcternan]

I need some help (or to be honest, the citroen garage my gar is in needs help).

 

My C4 1.6 Hdi VTR+ went in 3 weeks ago to fix a problem associated with the climate control and cruise control. The garage say they fixed everything to do with the mechanicall side of things (the air vents, air conditioning compressor, valves etc) and nothing helped.

 

They then replaced the wiring loom (an electrical option) assiciated with the control of these 2 gadgets and again nothing helped. The garage are now at a loss and don't know what to do.

 

Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so how was it fixed.

[wozza]

Would help if we knew what the problem was then we might be able to tell you.

 

Also moved your post to the C4 section.

[C4VTS]

What is the problem ? :unsure:

 

As wozza just said, unless you tell us the exact problem you are complaining about, then nobody can help you. :D

[hertsnminds]

problem associated with the climate control and cruise control

 

Is this 1 problem or 2 different issues?

 

If you search through the C4 postings you will see that the 1.6HDi (110BHP) VTR+ 5 door cars have known issues with cruise control failure. The 2 known issues are resolved by either a software patch or replacing the clutch sensor (or both).

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[cmcternan]

Yeh I realise now that was a bit vague!! Sorry

 

Basically the air conditioning only blasts out hot air. (which I suspect is just the hot air coming off the engine). The garage say they've replaced the parts either end, ie the compressor and the mechanics controlling the vents, but can't isolate the problem which apparently lies somewhere in between.

 

The cruise control in inoperative. It just doesn't work. The garage updated the software but hasn't helped.

 

Wozza, thanks for moving my post the appropriate section.

[wozza]

Possibly the clutch sensor.

 

And might need a new climate control unit. Not just the compressor etc.

[IanHur]

I am surprised to read about all the problems you seem to be having with your C4 I have a 1.6 HDI VTR + and other than a problem with the heater ( cold air on one side and hot air on other side) which my dealer repaired by fitting a new heater box, the car has been faultless.

I would not except that the dealer cannot sort out your problems. Have you tried another dealer?

[cmcternan]

Good news (well sort of). After 3 weeks the garage say they have fixed the climate control. It was a fault with the wiring.

 

The criuse control is still faulty. They've tested the steering wheel mounted control and they appear to be sending a message to the ECU but it's here where it stops working.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll keep you up to date on how things go.

[C4VTS]

Yeh I realise now that was a bit vague!! Sorry

 

Basically the air conditioning only blasts out hot air. (which I suspect is just the hot air coming off the engine). The garage say they've replaced the parts either end, ie the compressor and the mechanics controlling the vents, but can't isolate the problem which apparently lies somewhere in between.

 

The cruise control in inoperative. It just doesn't work. The garage updated the software but hasn't helped.

 

The hot air problem is most likely the heater box. The whole unit used to have to be replaced which is a 2 day job, but I am told that Citroen can now supply and fit just the faulty gear mechanism that selects hot/cold air.

 

The cruise control fault is probably just a faulty switch on the clutch, brake or accelerator.

 

It sounds like your Citroen dealer does not have a clue what they are doing?

[kfk]

It sounds like your Citroen dealer does not have a clue what they are doing?

 

I love it when people say that.

 

Sometimes the vehicle has a problem that hasnt been encountered before, either by the dealer or the manufacturer. In those instances someone somewhere has to sit down and learn what each wire does, where it goes, what computer is concerned and how many computers control it. And yes your dead right, when we get to that stage we havent got a clue.....its a learning curve. My training by Citroen for C4 consisted of four days.... 75% of which was in the class room.....the remainder looking at technology on the vehicles.

 

Today we have spent 6 hours trying to work out why a customers automatic headlights wouldnt work correctly......the technician concerned was clueless.

 

By using his knowledge, determination and technical information he eventually resolved the problem. It wont bother the customer, but he lost his bonus on that job, neither will it bother the customer that we will be unable to claim the repair time for the job. Its also unlikely to bother the customer that his car was fixed today and somebody else is having to wait until monday to get theirs repaired.

 

What will come out of it its the fact that it was ok untill it went in for a recall. then it took them 6 hours to fix it.....they were clueless.

 

edit:

Sorry, needed to have a rant......dont take it personally

[ham's c4vts]

It wont bother the customer, but he lost his bonus on that job, neither will it bother the customer that we will be unable to claim the repair time for the job.

Surely Citroen pays for the warranty work that is carried out for the customer? :D

[kfk]

No they dont....they only pay for faults that are fixed where you can justify the time spent......we cant justify 6 hours we can just about justify 2.

[C4VTS]

It sounds like your Citroen dealer does not have a clue what they are doing?

 

I love it when people say that.

Well, I guess you are very happy now kfk :P :D

[C4VTS]

It wont bother the customer, but he lost his bonus on that job, neither will it bother the customer that we will be unable to claim the repair time for the job.

Surely Citroen pays for the warranty work that is carried out for the customer? :D

Yeh, that makes no sense.

 

Surely you just claim for the time and parts allowed by Citroen up to a certain limit, say 1 hour, and take a loss on any time spent over that ? :D

 

Citroen are not going to know how long a particular technician took on a job. :P

[Mike5483]

No they dont....they only pay for faults that are fixed where you can justify the time spent......we cant justify 6 hours we can just about justify 2.

I dont know how Citroen works, but surely you can justify the time by saying you had a problem you hadn't encountered, you worked it out, that information is now available to Citroen for future reference and to top it off, you fixed that customers car.

[Stuey]

I love KFK's rants!! Keep em coming mate!! :D

[lee_marshuk]

Yeah precisely...if a problem took 6 hours to repair by trained, qualified and certified Citroen technicians then it took 6 hours. That's justified in one easy statement:

 

"The trained, qualified and certified technicians here took 6 hours to fix this issue".

 

Citroen can not possibly have an argument against that. KFK hit the nail on the head - you are going to encounter new problems with vehicles that's unavoidable; dealerships should not be made to feel like they can't spend the man hours fixing an issue because Citroen won't pay them for it - if that's the case, then something needs to change in Citroen's internal policies, doesn't it!

[Mike5483]

Thats the problem with my dealership I think.

 

The problems my car has arent exactly major, so maybe they dont want to spend the time fixing them when they could be doing something else that they will get paid for.

[rcandelori]

The problems my car has arent exactly major, so maybe they dont want to spend the time fixing them when they could be doing something else that they will get paid for.

Meanwhile, you're left with annoying rattles that they claim they can't fix.

[Mike5483]

Well, its not really rattles.

 

As it stands I have...

 

Front suspension issues (it 'cracks' when pulling away to hard)

 

Rear suspension issues (the rear 'groans' when loaded up or the weather is very dry, I think its bushes)

 

Clutch issues (same as many others, it feels notchy and gritty after heavy use)

 

Air Con leaks into passenger footwell when its cooling the car

 

And a few other niggles.

 

Nothing major, Well, the carpet is cause itll soon rot or go smelly.

[rcandelori]

Well, its not really rattles.

 

As it stands I have...

 

Front suspension issues (it 'cracks' when pulling away to hard)

 

Rear suspension issues (the rear 'groans' when loaded up or the weather is very dry, I think its bushes)

 

Clutch issues (same as many others, it feels notchy and gritty after heavy use)

 

Air Con leaks into passenger footwell when its cooling the car

 

And a few other niggles.

 

Nothing major, Well, the carpet is cause itll soon rot or go smelly.

They don't seem like minor issues - especially the air con leaking!! Your dealer must be f*cking lazy not to fix that.

[dave&trace]

Well, its not really rattles.

 

As it stands I have...

 

Front suspension issues (it 'cracks' when pulling away to hard)

 

Rear suspension issues (the rear 'groans' when loaded up or the weather is very dry, I think its bushes)

 

Clutch issues (same as many others, it feels notchy and gritty after heavy use)

 

Air Con leaks into passenger footwell when its cooling the car

 

And a few other niggles.

 

Nothing major, Well, the carpet is cause itll soon rot or go smelly.

They don't seem like minor issues - especially the air con leaking!! Your dealer must be f*cking lazy not to fix that.

front suspension cracks maybe drop links we had this problem on our multispace

clutch noise when warm, our dealer spent 3 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!! first visit and 4 seperate days looking for this problem said they had oiled release bearing but on way home from garage it was just as bad.

When we got home in a mad rage we put the car on ramps ripped the engine cover off found a rubber gaiter where clutch mech enters gear box not seated correctly. could not believe how smooth a C4 clutch can be.

hope this helps

[hertsnminds]

Front suspension issues (it 'cracks' when pulling away to hard)

 

Rear suspension issues (the rear 'groans' when loaded up or the weather is very dry, I think its bushes)

 

Since my dealer replaced the rear suspension I no longer have the front suspension knock when pulling away.

 

The dealer said the rear suspension was rubbing which is why they replaced it under warranty. I can only assume that with the rear suspension not performing correctly the front struts are getting more load and causing the knocking.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[GRUMPY]

IMO the tech guys are great at the major items but seem to lack support from Citroen for the obscure problems that a new model suffers from.

 

It's not Citroen that that cuts the bonus it's the dealers and it is the service manager that decides what jobs get done and when.

 

After pestering Citroen UK for 2 months my car goes in next Thursday and it is staying there until it's fixed. I haved been told the curtesy car is a C3!!!!!

[wozza]

Oh you will have fun with the C3...

 

I got one as a curtesy car and I was looking forward ot giving it them back and getting my C4. Such a massive difference in build quality and handling and ride etc just no comparison.