Car trouble

[TheChamp]

Not sure... didnt get detailed feedback yet... this YouTube video seems to show a similar problem to mine and in that case , the power cable to the ECU was broken.

This one actually cranks much better than yours.

 

[Neuk_]

Yeah OEM ECU failures are extremely rare, especially if BOSCH had anything to do with it. Wiring though and sensors especially is another story in decades old cars, I know nothing about French cars so I don't even have a suggestion for OP.
Other than employing one a mobile tech to come and diagnose fault codes, they aren't too expensive.

I had an old 1996 Mercedes Benz C180 whose ECU failed one night, it is the only car I have heard of this happening and we tried everything to get it going but only a new ECU at a third of the value of the car from Mercedes Benz solved the issue All other ECU related issues I have seen have been batteries needing replacing, faulty earthing points, damaged wiring or silly things like airing connectors not on properly.

 

[TheChamp]

Any news?

 

[Sinbad]

That is strange, I am not familiar with Citroen but the likes of VAG cars have multiple 'ECU's' one of them being the engine, and if it doesn't have power not even the starter motor will work. I am interested to hear what the actual issue is, I have only ever heard of one random engine ECU failure and it was in an old C180 I owned.

Not true. When my Cupra's ecu fuse blew, it cranked just fine.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

ECU problem, (get the fondue )
you'll notice there is a key light that usually comes on when you turn the key before the engine starts.
this isnt on,

ECU problem can be hard to fix, and MEGA expensive, as I can personally attest to.
need a NEW ECU Id start with the Junkyard, or try visit these guys.

Auto ECU The Experts in Testing & Repairs of ECU's South Africa

We are Auto ECU, The engine management specialists.We lead the others follow

www.enginemanagement.co.za

problem is many of the ECU computers are sealed with glue, you cant easily check inside
designed that way to PREVENT repairs, want you to buy a entire lockset, that might cost more then the entire engine.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Not true. When my Cupra's ecu fuse blew, it cranked just fine.

same here, mine cranked like a Champion, but wouldn't catch or spark the spark plugs,
so you can crank till the cows come home, even try jump start, makes no difference.

New ECU, and new Key and locks required.
Eish OP, feel for you, try the Junkyards, best bet, as original is MEGA expensive.

 

[Neuk_]

Not true. When my Cupra's ecu fuse blew, it cranked just fine.

You used the good old cigarette paper trick as a fuse didn't you?

Jokes aside, I would have thought modern cars would have the starter motor triggered via the ECU, are they simply hard wired to the ignition barrel?

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Yeah OEM ECU failures are extremely rare, especially if BOSCH had anything to do with it. Wiring though and sensors especially is another story in decades old cars, I know nothing about French cars so I don't even have a suggestion for OP.
Other than employing one a mobile tech to come and diagnose fault codes, they aren't too expensive.

My ECU made by Bosch, and we changed it 3 times. in a Korean car.
what I disliked most of all, it its all glued in place, there are screws, but if you open them, the PCB inside will crack and break.
(planned defect, obsolescence)

horrible design, and horrible things the ECU's. as there is no fixing that, your pretty much stranded until they replace that mega expensive part.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

You used the good old cigarette paper trick as a fuse didn't you?

Jokes aside, I would have thought modern cars would have the starter motor triggered via the ECU, are they simply hard wired to the ignition barrel?

no its actually quite complicated, as a theft deterrent,
ignition is tied to the ECU, and the ECU tells the plugs to fire.

thats why its possible to steal a car by replacing the ECU with another one you bring.

or if its a Fancy car, with those key-less ignitions,
simply putting a booster next to the key will let you drive the car far away.

 

[Neuk_]

no its actually quite complicated, as a theft deterrent,
ignition is tied to the ECU, and the ECU tells the plugs to fire.

thats why its possible to steal a car by replacing the ECU with another one you bring.

or if its a Fancy car, with those key-less ignitions,
simply putting a booster next to the key will let you drive the car far away.

I am talking about the starter motor being activated or triggered by the ECU which I thought was the case but is apparently not.

 

[OnlyOneKenobi]

So... the guys dropped the car off at 11:00 - saying the issue was that there had been water in the computer box. 30 seconds after they leave, I try to start the car and it doesn't work. Called them back... now they say the thermostat housing needs to be replaced and take it back to the workshop...

 

[TheChamp]

So... the guys dropped the car off at 11:00 - saying the issue was that there had been water in the computer box. 30 seconds after they leave, I try to start the car and it doesn't work. Called them back... now they say the thermostat housing needs to be replaced and take it back to the workshop...

Water from the thermostat leaking onto the computer box?

 

[OnlyOneKenobi]

Water from the thermostat leaking onto the computer box?

I'm not entirely sure they know where the water is coming from. That seems to be the current theory.

 

[Neuk_]

So... the guys dropped the car off at 11:00 - saying the issue was that there had been water in the computer box. 30 seconds after they leave, I try to start the car and it doesn't work. Called them back... now they say the water comes from the thermostat housing and they took it back to the workshop.

Something doesn't sound right here, I have no idea of the engine bay layout of a Citroen C2 but how is the main ECU anywhere near the thermostat housing?

 

[TheChamp]

Something doesn't sound right here, I have no idea of the engine bay layout of a Citroen C2 but how is the main ECU anywhere near the thermostat housing?

The guys sound clueless, I wouldn't be surprised if the car just started out of the blue and they have no idea what's wrong. They are just trying to make the problem sound complicated.

 

[OnlyOneKenobi]

Well, I'm at a loss... I don't know how water would end up in my computer box if I haven't driven the car through flooding or sprayed the engine wet. Or driven it into the ocean, a pool, or any body of water. It hasn't even been out in heavy rain recently.

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Well, I'm at a loss... I don't know how water would end up in my computer box if I haven't driven the car through flooding or sprayed the engine wet. Or driven it into the ocean, a pool, or any body of water. It hasn't even been out in heavy rain recently.

They are taking you for a lekka ride, get someone else.

 

[OnlyOneKenobi]

So, the car was returned to me yesterday afternoon after they had replaced the housing and so far so good. I managed to take it out for a few test runs and it seems to be doing better than it was even before it started acting up this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best...

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

So... the guys dropped the car off at 11:00 - saying the issue was that there had been water in the computer box. 30 seconds after they leave, I try to start the car and it doesn't work. Called them back... now they say the thermostat housing needs to be replaced and take it back to the workshop...

same story I got taken on,
went to auto electrician, tore all the wiring looms apart looking for the problem,
after a week, nothing.

went to another Mechanic, eish, we dont know.

ECU box, when that goes, most Mechanics simply dont know how to fix it,
so they throw parts at it, in the hopes something will work.

OP, take some advise from somebody that danced this jig before,
auto ECU, give them the ECU, get them to test it (they have the equipment)

see what they say.
if its busted, as it most probably is, get another from a junkyard.

 

[TheChamp]

So, the car was returned to me yesterday afternoon after they had replaced the housing and so far so good. I managed to take it out for a few test runs and it seems to be doing better than it was even before it started acting up this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best...

It would be much better if they were honest with what they have fixed, but hoping for the best is all you can do.