Citroen C3 08 Reg

[granny grump]

My C3 randomly cuts out while I'm driving. No pattern and it can go for weeks without it happening Sometimes it may happen while idling at traffic lights sometimes while actually driving or turning corners. It has been into the garage - one I use regularly and trust - but they couldn't find anything wrong and it didn't cut out while it was with them overnight. The car is serviced regularly and I have had a new battery fitted since the problem started and this can happen on a short or long journey. It has been happening for months now and can be a little unnerving to say the least. Has this happened to anyone on here or any suggestions as to what the cause might be?

[tonyav]

granny, when the car cuts out does the radio, heater etc still work ?.
I suspect a faulty earth some where, earth lead from battery to bodywork or earth strap from engine / gearbox to the bodywork or could be some corrosion or a loose feed terminal in one of the fuseboxes.

I had a problem similar to this on a couple of Vauxhalls that I owned in the past ( a Carlton and a Calibra ), turned out to be the tick over control valve on both cars. I changed them and problem was fixed.

[tonyav]

granny, I am assuming that your car is petrol and not diesel.

[granny grump]

Yes its petrol tony and the radio etc cut out as well

[tonyav]

Then It's a total loss of electrics then.
Most probably a dodgy earth or power feed then, granny.
It may need an auto electrician to have a look ( not a mechanic ), when it's random like yours is it can be very difficult to track down the fault.

[TWR]

Hi, I used to drive a Belingo that had the same issue, what I used to do after trying everything, on a straight road & clear behind, if the car starts doing this, switch off & restart Immediately, does it cure it? I found it was the ECU ( The Brain of the car, it did not do it all the time, maybe a week, 2 wekks then it would do it again.

[granny grump]

Thank you - I'll will probably take it into the local Citroen garage. Will it do any major damage to the car in the meantime?

[tonyav]

Did the engine management light show, TWR ?.

[granny grump]

Engine management light ? TWR? I'm just a ladeeey tony so not sure what they are

[tonyav]

granny, try and keep away from the maindealers ( very expensive ). Have a look on line or your Thompsons local directory for a local auto electrician.

[tonyav]

LOL, granny the engine management light is usually a little picture of an engine that lights up Orange.

[granny grump]

ok thank you

[granny grump]

yes the engine management light comes on - what is TWR

[tonyav]

TWR is a poster on here, granny.

When does the engine management light come on ?.

[TWR]

No Tony it did not, the light is a Yellow light on the dash with a picture of the Engine Garan, it will do no harm running the car, as said, do not take it to the dealers or K.F. take it to your local Auto Repair shop, if you can, look under the bonnet on the passenger side you will see the box ( Brain) it has 2 clips on it holding a plug, undo the clips & spray some WD40into the connecting pins & return the plug then try.

[tonyav]

Mmmmm, I'm surprised that the engine management light didn't come on TWR ( especially with the problem being the ECU ), weird and wonderful stuff car electrics.

[granny grump]

K F?

[granny grump]

Sorry to be such a pain

[TWR]

I can not recall the light coming on Tony, but that's what it turned out to be, the owner was getting rid so would not get it repaired, K.F. Gran, are known for repairing Tyres, they want to keep to that.

[TWR]

You are not a pain Gran, that's what this site is for, " For Help"