A Series Of Unfortunate Events...

[raveydavey]

Regular readers may remember how my remote locking stopped working and I couldn't lock the car a few months ago, which fixed itself a couple of hours later as I pulled up at the dealer...

 

Anyway, last week this happened:

 

Pulled up, let the engine idle for a few seconds (as you do with a turbo engine) and turned off. Took the key out of the ignition and the steering lock wouldn't engage, no matter how much I twirled the steering wheel. Put the key back in the ignition, took it out and the steering lock worked.

 

I then got out of the car , shut the door and pressed the remote lock button - nothing. Here we go again i thought. Tried a couple of times, still nothing so opened the car door to try turning the ignition on and off. At this point the "lights on" warning buzzer started, even though the lights most definately weren't on. Anyway, I put the key in and switched the ignition on. Warning buzzer stopped. Switched the ignition off, took the key out and engaged the steering lock - all OK. Got out of the car, pressed the remote locking and that worked OK too. And has done ever since.

 

Now much as I like the car and I love the 60mpg I'm getting from it, the seeds of doubt are starting to be sown. It's a 5-year old car with 70k on the clock, that cost over £300 to get through the last MOT - whats going to go wrong next..?

[stimulator]

Sound like the ouput channels in the BSI got out of sequence. It needs a CNTRL ALT DELETE to reboot the PC.

 

This is done by disconnecting the battery for 5 mins so that the charge on the caps etc can dispate then rest.

 

However if it's OK now leave it alone. My 54 reg SX HDI 16V did this once about 3 months ago and after removing the key and waiting a few seconds it has been OK since.

[raveydavey]

Thanks - I'll bear that in mind if it happens again!

[tinxi]

I had very similar problems when i fitted my own stereo into my c3 endless electrical problems. So i just popped the original stereo back in and bought a lead for my 12v to work my ipod. All electrical problems stopped :s steering lock occasionally dosnt engage so i pop key back in pull it straight out and it works :s mind boggling. But from experience with the c3 these little problems just happen with no reason as to why they do :s think in October i may have to part with mine love the drive but the endless knocks with no answers and other little faults are driving me mad. Ill be sad but its doing my nut in !!!!

tinxi x