Stop/start

[lindsayb]

I have owned my C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 HDi Exclusive since new in March 2015 and I estimate the Stop Start system has literally worked approximately 10% of the time.  I have asked at the Edinburgh Citroen Dealership for an explanation and have been bombarded with  so many alleged explanations that I am sure they do not have a clue as to why the system should be so erratic.  It will start  say, for a day in winter with heater, lights etc on  and also in summer with virtually no drain on the battery - I rarely use the A/C.  There is no rhyme nor reason as to when it works or not.

 

Yesterday, while making a date for its annual service I asked again about the problem and was told that perhaps if a window was open it would prevent the system working. What a lot of flannel!  I have been given all the reasons under the sun, as I am sure many other owners have been,  as to why it does not work on a regular basis.  The only thing I can put forward is that the battery, as fitted is just not capable of maintaining the electrical systems which are built into the car.  In plain speke the Stop/Start system just does not work and if this is the case why are Citroen selling cars which are not up to their advertised specifications? Are they  trying to improve the mpg figures as VW has?

 

Has anyone any sensible suggestion I can try to overcome this problem, or am I wasting my time?

[Rookie2]

Hi Lindsay

 

When you say "It does not work", do you mean there is nothing whatsoever or, when you mention the battery not being up to the task, do you mean that it does try to start but does not have the power ?

[paul.h]

As you suspect, if the battery is down on voltage a bit or there are many electrical things in use, then the stop/start will not work. We have stop/start on our C4 but I always switch it off since the cost of repairs due to possibly needing a new battery or a new starter/alternator are many £100s and I have seen reports of these items having a short life. If you look up the battery cost they are not a standard lead/acid battery and they are over £200 and I think I have seen the starter/alternator as many times this.

 

If you have a voltmeter you could check the battery voltage but on most cars this time of year it tends to be down a bit, especially if the trips are short ones.

[lindsayb]

Thank you to Rookie2 and Paul.H

 

By saying 'it does not work' I mean that the system works erratically. As I mentioned in my letter it can suddenly work at the most unexpected time i.e. in winter with numerous items working and also in summer when there is little drain on the battery, it does not open. The green ECO sign flashes and I am told that this is a sign of the system working.  However there is no sign of life. It just seems a pointless piece of equipment that only works approximately 10% of the time.

 

Paul,

 

Last year I was told the battery required 60% charge to work.  This year it has been upped to 70%.  I wonder what has changed to increase the charge by 10%?.  Thanks for the information regarding the cost of battery etc.  I will have the battery checked but I feel that spending  money parts that have not worked from the beginning is unfair and should be rectified by Citroen.

 

Thank you both for your replies

[paul.h]

Also have a read of this where it appears an alternator fault was preventing the stop/start working. The poster O.C.D. has not reported back though so we do not know if a new alternator fixed the car. http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/24025-a-reverse-alternator-puzzled/

 

Since your car is still under the Citroen 3 year warranty, I would not expect any repairs to cost you anything. If you are not happy with your dealer you can use another Citroen dealer who may be more sympathetic to fixing any fault.

[lindsayb]

Paul,

Thanks again for your post.  My car is booked in for a service next Monday and I have asked them to look at the problem. I am not holding my breath however!