Citroen C4 engine turning (briefly) but not firing!
Variant: VTR+ Coupe 1.6 Petrol
Model Year: 2006
Categories:
Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
Hi,
My C4 will turn but not start. I turns on the starter motor fine but wont fire at all, it also only turns for a few seconds before cutting out, as though you've stopped turning the key yourself! I had driven (30 mile journey) and parked it a few hours earlier with no issues.
The car has now gone into economy mode, which isn't surprising considering the amount of times me and the recovery guy tried to turn it before giving up! Have tried it with the spare key in case of any transponder issues.
Green flag guy ran a fault check through the ECU which came back clean, and is stumped! He also says the fuel pressure on the rail is good. I wouldn't really know how to check the spark as it has a big coil pack unit, not sure how to do this as I've only done it with individual HT leads!
Car has done 75k and yes there is fuel in it!
So I'm stuck basically, any help at all you could give me would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
Alex
My C4 will turn but not start. I turns on the starter motor fine but wont fire at all, it also only turns for a few seconds before cutting out, as though you've stopped turning the key yourself! I had driven (30 mile journey) and parked it a few hours earlier with no issues.
The car has now gone into economy mode, which isn't surprising considering the amount of times me and the recovery guy tried to turn it before giving up! Have tried it with the spare key in case of any transponder issues.
Green flag guy ran a fault check through the ECU which came back clean, and is stumped! He also says the fuel pressure on the rail is good. I wouldn't really know how to check the spark as it has a big coil pack unit, not sure how to do this as I've only done it with individual HT leads!
Car has done 75k and yes there is fuel in it!
So I'm stuck basically, any help at all you could give me would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
Alex
Posted: Jan 12, 2013 (11 years ago)
You will need to charge the battery after the number of times trying to start it as it will be low now and wont throw the engine over fast enough or long enough if run down .I would whip the plugs out and check as may just be flooded / wet plugs . Worth trying before getting further involved .
Posted Jan 12, 2013 (11 years ago)
I wonder if it,s the key antenna that has a connection issue just requiring cleaned ,normally in most cases it will log a code just not in ECM.
Posted Jan 12, 2013 (11 years ago)
Please explain the key antenna solution further?
Posted Jan 13, 2013 (11 years ago)
Antenna ring round your ignition reads the chip in your key which then tells your ECM .hello we're trying to start,then overrides your immobiliser and allows engine to fire .sometimes the connections just req.clean and greased as very small pins and small voltage ,That's just a very rough description.
Posted Jan 13, 2013 (11 years ago)
Ah ok i see what you mean. Just a case of taking the trim around the ignition apart to get to it then?
Posted Jan 15, 2013 (11 years ago)
Hi.
I've just had the exact symptoms you describe above happen to my C4. Everything seems normal, yet you crank it over and it only cranks for a couple of seconds before the starter cuts out - as if it thinks its started.
I've had this C4 since new (05), and its never done this before. Keen to know what the solution was...
Cheers,
Paul.
I've just had the exact symptoms you describe above happen to my C4. Everything seems normal, yet you crank it over and it only cranks for a couple of seconds before the starter cuts out - as if it thinks its started.
I've had this C4 since new (05), and its never done this before. Keen to know what the solution was...
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted Nov 1, 2013 (11 years ago)
Hi.
When the AA man arrived, he checked for fault codes, but found none. However, when cranking it over, he looked at the live sensor data and found 0 RPM during cranking.
He replaced the crankshaft position sensor which mounts to the bell housing. You can see the flywheel ring gear when the sensor is removed.
Fired up first time after replacing the sensor.
Hope this helps some other hapless soul in future.
Cheers,
Paul.
When the AA man arrived, he checked for fault codes, but found none. However, when cranking it over, he looked at the live sensor data and found 0 RPM during cranking.
He replaced the crankshaft position sensor which mounts to the bell housing. You can see the flywheel ring gear when the sensor is removed.
Fired up first time after replacing the sensor.
Hope this helps some other hapless soul in future.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted Nov 2, 2013 (11 years ago)
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