Citroen C3 (2002 - 2009) - 02 1.4 HDi driving us mad with random non starting

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Mon 8 Feb 2010 16:46
02 1.4 HDi driving us mad with random non starting - starboater
For nearly two months our 130k miles C3 diesel has been randomly not starting from cold. It spins over perfectly, just don't fire up. Been to the Citroen dealer twice - first time injector seals and various pipes were renewed. Ran fine for a while then refused again. Towed back to the dealer who found a string of permanent faults on the computer, wiped them and it started fine again.
On the tow there I plugged my phone into the cig lighter to charge it - result one utterly scrambled phone which has never worked again.
A few days ago, a new fault - the battery went flat overnight. Replaced it - new one went flat overnight. AA man found a 4amp current drain. But charged battery and it started fine.
Electrical specialist has just found cause of drain - relay to injectors. Replaced it and Bingo it won't start!
In between all this I've replaced failed wipers and the radio signal periodically disintegrates into a series of shrieks and wails - then recovers a week or so later.
Anyone got a clue? Because we're thinking push the damned thing off a cliff right now.
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Tue 9 Feb 2010 00:26
02 1.4 HDi driving us mad with random non starting - Tommk4
Your not from near Burnley are you? To cut a long story short I was in a c3 with 130k miles which had those exact problems recently.
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Tue 9 Feb 2010 14:58
02 1.4 HDi driving us mad with random non starting - M.M
Long shot. Failing alternator causing weird electrical issues. Worn starter motor giving low cranking speed hence poor start. Both completely possible if the units are original..... well possible too if the units were replaced at 60k and you've added 70k.
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Wed 10 Feb 2010 18:17
02 1.4 HDi driving us mad with random non starting - starboater
The verdict from the Citroen garage is that the car needs a new wiring loom!!!
Cost £750 plus nine hours fitting.
So after eight years and 130k miles of fully service ownership the car is now scrap. What a joke.
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