Car Not Starting / Ignition Issue

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Hi Guys, I have a 2004 Citroen C3 1.4 HDI.

Parked at a shopping centre on Saturday afternoon (had already driven around in the morning and have had no issues prior) and when I got in my car and put the key in the ignition and turned it... nothing.

The ignition lights on the dash don't turn on (oil, turbo etc) and the little display on the dash with the Km's etc doesn't light up. When you open the door because of the system that turns the inside light on etc only then does the little display on the dash turn on. The radio works fine, the inside light on the roof works fine too.

I tested the battery in another car and it works fine and tested another battery in my car and that works fine too. The battery system on the dash flashes though when i open the door but otherwise nothing. The power windows also don't work but they only work then the ignition is on normally.

I've also checked all the fuses so my only idea left is that it must be the ignition relay. My attempts to find even one relay in this car has failed so far - does anyone know where i might find the relays specifically for the ignition?

Thanks
 
Citroen eeuuuwww!!1

:p
Starter? It should make click at least ...

Edit:
Also, if it's automatic, make sure it's in park :p
 
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if the lights dont even come on when you turn the key then I would say that its your BSI thats faulty. The bsi is the unit that controls the security/keys in the vehicle, and the one in our C4 popped we had the same kind of problem.

You may just have to have it reset or reprogramed but citroen, but you may also need to get a replacement. The replacement is programmed to your vehicle in France, so it will take 4 to 6 weeks o arrive if it needs to be replaced.
 
Madman88 said:
if the lights dont even come on when you turn the key then I would say that its your BSI thats faulty. The bsi is the unit that controls the security/keys in the vehicle, and the one in our C4 popped we had the same kind of problem.

You may just have to have it reset or reprogramed but citroen, but you may also need to get a replacement. The replacement is programmed to your vehicle in France, so it will take 4 to 6 weeks o arrive if it needs to be replaced.
Click to expand...

+1

Before you go to dealership, maybe try your spare key?

4 to 6 weeks is absurd, my Megane key took 8 work days! and to top it all, it was+- R200 more in price price than my buddies 1.4 Corsa Lite spare key! (Key,cut and code)
 
A3@MBB said:
+1

Before you go to dealership, maybe try your spare key?

4 to 6 weeks is absurd, my Megane key took 8 work days! and to top it all, it was+- R200 more in price price than my buddies 1.4 Corsa Lite spare key! (Key,cut and code)
Click to expand...

For the key thats no problem, cos you just program it into the BSI, but if the problem is with the BSI..


But thats a good point. Try the spare first.
 
I had a very similar issue but mine only gave me issue about 1 times 10 starting and got worse over time. Had it more than 1 mechanic and eventually a auto electrician sorted it for me.

It was brushes in the starter motor.

Wasn't a Citroen, just a very old car.
 
TokoZAR said:
I had a very similar issue but mine only gave me issue about 1 times 10 starting and got worse over time. Had it more than 1 mechanic and eventually a auto electrician sorted it for me.

It was brushes in the starter motor.
Click to expand...

If this ever happens again somewhere in your future put the car into 4th/5th gear and just rock it forwards and backwards a wee bit, should start ;)
 
That tip helped me get my car going more than once, it's good advice :)
 
zizo911 said:
Elaborate plz
Click to expand...

When the commutator is dirty or brushes are worn you might not get proper contact between the brushes & commutator thus no current flow and the motor wont turn. With the starter gear (bendix) engaged when you rock the car a bit it also turns the starter motor a bit which could lead to the brushes having better contact in slightly different position. This should be enough to get the starter motor turning and once it's turning the 'dead spot' does not matter so much because it passes by so quickly and you have enough contact on the rest of the commutator for current flow.

sm1.jpg

In this pic the bendix or starter gear is called a pinion gear. So when the pinion gear is pushed into the engine (by the plunger) to engage the gear (flywheel) on the engine side rocking the car in gear will turn the pinion gear which then turns the idle gear which then turns the drive gear thus turning the commutator which means the brushes might get a better contact spot.

To fix this intermittent problem is really easy and cheap. Remove the starter motor from the engine, usually just a few bolts and electrical plug. Buy a new brush kit for the motor, remove the armature so you can get access to the commutator and clean it with a bit of fine sandpaper so you have a nice clean shiny metal surface, reassemble. You can also check the bearings for play and replace them if required seeing as you already have the unit off the car.

Oh to engage the bendix the ignition key has to be in the crank position or past ignition on poistion if I'm not mistaken, I can't remember as I have not done this in ages.

Hope this makes sense, I don't always explain things to well :o

EDIT: Here's a nice article explaining how a starter motor works, http://www.howacarworks.com/article/how-the-starting-system-works

Mark Evans on one of his "Is Born" series actually did a very nice demonstration of how a starter works with a starter on a bench.
 
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DeMarcoo said:
i lost my key time ago just like vampire i was in a shopping center and i think it got stolen.. well as soon as i noticed that the key wasn't there any more, i went to check if the car was still in the parking lot... luckily it was tsill there.. did't have time to wait and buy a blank key online so through my phone did some quick research and found this guys here http://www.autokeysquad.com that quoted me £140 for a quick intervention ... after an hour everything was sorted out! lucky thing i don't live near that place.. but if i had time.. i think i would have just bough a blank key and just called a similar or the same company to rpogram it for me.. i'm sure it would have been cheaper than that.. :cry:
Click to expand...

RAS!
 
Hey this it is an old thread but I think I know what your proble might be! I too have a C3 and did exactly the same thing. Please make sure that the vehicle recognises the key. The key is battery operated. When last did you replace the battery? Further, the key ight need to be reprogrammed. If the board computer does not recognise the key, it will only switch on the dash relay but the bord computer won't give the signal to the main, stater relay and nothing will happen. You'll only hear a soft click sound in the dash on the passanger site (the car is usually left hand drive and there is where most stuff is - steering wheel on the right is sort of an after thought). Don't spend money on a new starter or board computer or what have you. First make sure of the above!
 
Good day

I have a big problem with my citroen c3 2006 diesel.
We bought the car as it was in pieces.
I put it together.
Now none of the dash lights shows.
Also the car turns but do not start.

What could be the problem
 
Good luck, out of all the cars I ever considered for a project, not once did a Citroen or any French car ever cross my mind.

Can't you get someone who specialises in Citroen to help with diagnostics? Good luck.
 
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