engine cutting out

[mumsie_wumsie]

My car (citroen picasso Y plate) has started to have what I call pre-ignition when I switch the engine off. Now I have a light which is staying on when the engine is running.This light indicates 'Engine auto-diagnosis',and according to the handbook suggests a fault with fuel injection,ignition or anti pollution system. I have taken my car to the garage but whilst driving it there it kept cutting out, did this 5-6 times on a journey of about 2 miles. Has anyone had this problem with their picasso(or any other car), and what was the outcome please? I would like some idea before the garage comes back to me. Thanks.

[mumsie_wumsie]

Would add that car is diesel(don't know if that makes any difference).

[AlBags]

One of a few issues .. injector fault, oil/carbon in pre-turbo pipe, turbo or maybe ECU fault.
I don't think we can help here (and this is not a common issue)

[mumsie_wumsie]

Beginning to sound a bit grim....Thanks for your reply Albags.

[Andyvon]

I accompanied my neighbour to look at a Citroen C4 (and Picasso) last year Mumsie. The car we saw had an amber engine management light on and running problems and the dealers said the fault was the diesel particulate filter (DPF) being clogged. They said the car just needed a good run down the motorway and it would be fine! Needless to say, we left it!

Looking at the on-line forums afterwards however it emerged that a blocked DPF (the filter) is a common fault on the Citroen C4. The filter is designed to clean itself during a good run when the extra heat burns off the carbon build-up. However, if the car is only used for running around town - to and from work in the traffic, to the shops and back etc - the filter never has a chance to clean itself and gets blocked causing the running problems.

I'm guessing that's the case with your car Mumsie. Do you just use it for running around town? The garage we went to said a new fliter or a good fast run for an hour or so would clear it. I would suggest having the filter changed then make sure you drive the car for a long run at least once a week. It's just a bad design I think.

Hope that helps.

[Andyvon]

Mumsie,

I've just noticed the thread and answers below (DPF light). They are very similar to what I'm saying here and thye give far more information (I'm assuming your car is a diesel by the way).

[mumsie_wumsie]

Thanks Andyvon for your reply. Yes my picasso is diesel, and am hoping what you suggest, is indeed the problem, which will not be too expensive to put right. My car is at the moment at repair garage being 'looked at'. It is a friends garage so I know it will be a true price. As for taking the car for a long run, at the moment it won't go further than a few hundred yards without stopping, which does suggest that it is a blockage some where. It doesn't often get a really long run, but will take this advice in future. Thanks again.

[mumsie_wumsie]

Car does have a Catalytic converter,don't know if that makes any difference, but looked the problem up online and this was mentioned????:-(

[mumsie_wumsie]

Update on my Picasso.....has now been fixed. Garage found a few problems with it but the main one was the fuel pump.All fixed and it cost me £280. I am pleased with that as I thought it would be a lot more. :-)

[AlBags]

Glad to hear not too dear!
Unusual .. fuel pump causing over-fuelling like that.