Where To Start

[Woody476]

 

Can any one help while traveling at 60 mph my engine died and will not start the AA could not fix the problem but suggested that it was either a problem with the fuel injector system or an electrical fault as my windows have stop working and the car keep locking it self at random I thinking electrical  dose anyone think a bsi reset would help as I can not open the windows I would have to do this while sitting in the car the following is the AA report (We have arranged for a recovery of your vehicle.Patrol found the following fault code/s:System : Engine control 1 - 75M / Diesel EDC 15C2-1x1429 - Pressure sensor, differential. Error Message : Signal improbable.1112 - . Error Message : Rail pressure monitoring.0230 - Solenoid-operated shut-off (ELAB) .. Error Message : Open circuit.1435 - . Error Message : Additive system.1442 - Additive system. Error Message : Faulty.0215 - . Error Message : Main relay.0340 - Sync. camshaft to crankshaft. Error Message : Signal improbable.) any advice or help would be gratefully received

 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

A few details of your car are needed, what model, year, which engine, auto or manual gearbox, how many miles has it done, any work done on the car recently, is the servicing up to date ? When you try to start the car does the engine turn over on the starter motor ?

 

The lack of windows working could be a fuse has failed such as a maxi fuse - we had this on a Xsara Picasso. A maxi fuse failed cutting all power so the engine would not run and the windows would not work. The RAC could not find the fault so it was towed to the local Citroen dealer who sorted it. No reason for the fuse to fail other than it may have been faulty and the problem never happened again.

 

You could always try a bsi reset but it may not help. To overcome the windows and the door open problem, just have the door open and close the lock on it against a screwdriver and the car will think the door is locked since the door open/closed sensor is built in to the lock.

 

Was the car running normally before since it is possible some of the fault codes could be old ones that have never been deleted or are minor faults that would not cause the engine to stop and you have not noticed them before or just ignored them ? Did the AA delete the codes or leave them as well as the freeze frame data that will give a good indication in future diagnostic checks of what was happening when the last fault occurred ?

 

If the numbers you have given are P fault codes then on here they are listed as follows:

 

P1429 Electric Air Pump Primary Failure

P1435 A/C Refrigerant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance

P1442 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected

P1112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage 

P0215 Engine Shutoff Solenoid Malfunction

P0230 Fuel Pump Primary Circuit Malfunction

P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction

 

If these are still current fault codes, they suggest the cam sensor or its wiring has a fault (this may prevent the engine running or give poor running), the fuel pump (probably the one in the tank if there is one) has a fault, the MAF sensor temperature sensor part in it has a fault (this would give poor running), there is something wrong with the air conditioning (this would not stop the engine), the engine fuel shut off solenoid may be faulty (this would stop the engine), there may be a fault with the electric air pump ( I do not know what this is). If you do not do your own maintenance I would take the car to your Citroen dealer since they will have Citroen specific diagnostic equipment to find out what is wrong. If you do your own maintenance this may also be the best option since otherwise you can start replacing parts hoping to find the fault before spending too much.

[Woody476]

Thank you for your advice the is a 2005 vehicle Citroen C8 manual gear box 2 litre diesel the car has been running fine I have only own it for 3 weeks I don’t believe the AA deleted the faults list the engine turns over but dose not fire.

[Rookie2]

Hi Woody

 

Have you checked the Cam belt ? When the engine is turning over does it sound like it has compression or is the engine spinning over quite fast and feely ?

 

With the engine stopped, see if you can remove the timing belt top cover and check if the Cam belt is still under tension or indeed, if it has snapped.

[paul.h]

Could also be a problem with the crank shaft sensor since this would prevent the car starting but would not give a fault code.

 

Looking at the parts diagrams there are quite a few sensors and to start replacing any of them without knowing which, if any, is faulty could prove expensive. There are also several different power outputs for the engine, do you know which is yours - 110, 120, 138, 163 hp and does it have an exhaust diesel particulate filter (dpf).

[Woody476]

Have found that the cam belt has snapped have been quoted £1800 to change this this seem a lot to me anybody know what it should cost

[Rookie2]

A garage will charge you around about that price.

The cost of th new cam belt kit

The cost of repairs to the engine (New Valves etc)

The cost of a new gasket set for the engine and then the labour

 

You must remember that when buying any of the peugeot citroen range, you must ensure the cam belt has been changed, if it hasn't been changed and even if they say it has (without proof) then change it anyway.

Do not leave it for the manufacturers recommended time frame, change it way before that.

 

The C8 suffered from a dodgy engine top cover arrangement, the manufacturers brought out a engine top tray which diverted water away from the belt. Excess water was finding it's way onto the cam belt and in winter it was freezing to the belt which cause cracks and eventuall failure.

Make sure our engine has the extra tray fitted, if not then get one fitted.

[paul.h]

It might be cheaper to source a used engine than repair your existing one. Cam belt failure is common on the C8 due to the design fault mentioned by Rookie2.

As an example which includes the part number of the drip tray http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/21432-a-few-technical-issues-cam-belt-snapped/

And another http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/6817-2003-c8-timing-belt-car-going-to-the-grave/

[Simple]

At 60 MPH some damage must have happened to the valves/tappets. But it might be cheaper to source a head or an engine as Paul suggested.

 

However, if you are good with mechanical work and have time, you could try changing the belt first and see if it goes (you might be lucky), it will take you around few hours.

 

From memory:

2- Release the driver side engine mount to pass the new belt (need a jack under the engine)

2- Remove the Cam belt covers (I think they are all size 10mm socket/spanner)

3- Insert 2 long L shaped 8mm rods into the timing positions (2 flywheel rotations per 1 Cam rotation, I used 50cm 8mm bar from B&Q cut into 2 L shapes)

4- Loosen the tensioner and fit the belt.

5- Slightly loosen the 3 screws on toothed cam wheel which the belt goes over (this may not be needed, if the timing is correct).

6- Adjust the tensioner and tighten the three screws.

7- Fit the Cam belt covers

8- Lower the engine and tighten the mount. 

 

Review these:

 

You may not need to totally remove the engine mount if you can create a space to pass the belt through.