C4 VTS Crankshaft sensor

[Tommy]

Hello All,

I appear to have availed myself, unluckily, of a C4 VTS which is turning out to be rather problematic. I have joined the forum in the hope of solving a few of it's issues. It's a 2.0 Petrol 180.

First, and most importantly, I wonder if anyone could give me some idea as to how easy it is to get at the crankshaft position sensor. I was rescued by the AA last night, after it cut out on me and refused to restart. The AA code-reader tool gave an error on the crankshaft position sensor. I'm reasonably competent with tools and do many of my own repairs. I have replaced crank sensors on Vauxhalls and VAG cars , but usually with the help of a manual or at least a diagram. I cannot find anything on the internet which tells me exactly where the sensor is on this engine, and what I need to take off. Any guidance as to where / how would be greatly appreciated, as it would save me simply taking loads of bits off in error - I imagine it's on top of the bellhousing, or around that area.

Many thanks in advance

Tom

[Fake Concern]

It may seem unethical to suggest a different forum, but try C4Owners.org. If you know the error code you can do a code search. I also know of one case where the OBDI reader said it was the Cam sensor & the real problem was coil pack!

Have a look here

http://c4owners.org/plugins/forum/forum ... 97376.post

[Tommy]

That's most helpful, thanks for your assistance.

Tom

[myglaren]

It may seem unethical to suggest a different forum, but try C4Owners.org.

Not unethical at all. We don't pretend other forums don't exist and you have offered the best advise you are aware of to help solve a problem.
Whatever works best

[RichardW]

service.citroen implies it's on top of the bellhousing, secured with a single bolt. Whether you can get at it without removing the thermostat housing above I don't know...

[Tommy]

Many thanks again. I have ordered the part. Would it be of use to anyone if I took pictures of how to change it?

[van ordinaire]

That would save others going to the other forum.

For what it's worth, I did this job on my Cherokee (after it failed overnight - well 5 actually) on Saturday (mercifully it's not a V8, where it's in the timing chain case!!!). Checking my parts car confirmed it's on top of the bellhousing & as that's got no head, having heaved the inlet manifold out of the way (only connected by the fuel line) access wasn't too bad BUT on a complete engine it's well nigh invisible, never mind inaccessible! Crawling under the vehicle was the answer, as at least I could see the bolt heads I was aiming at with a socket on very
long extension with a u/j. Of course, fwd may preclude that line of approach but, as I said, fwiw!

[Tommy]

Well, I have purchased the right part, however the weather, and the amount of dismantling that has to be done to get at the sensor has put me off given that the local Citroen specialist quoted me only an hours labour to do it while I wait on Wednesday. £66 inc vat to save me a load of frustration. I think on this occasion it's worth it.

[Tommy]

The Citroen specialist fitted the new engine speed sensor (what I'd call a crank sensor) on Wednesday. The car fired up first time. It ran fine for about a mile, then started to hunt badly and suffered a loss of power. Lexia gives an error about an air leak on the inlet side, which is very strange as it was running fine before the sensor died.

The battery had also gone almost completely flat - could this have a bearing on it ? Perhaps the ECU needs a proper reset to relearn it's parameters? There are no loose or cracked hoses, and everything is back as it should be.

If anyone has any suggestions.. thanks!

[Tommy]

Update : collected car anyway. Running ok but EML on. Drove it 10 miles without a problem. Starred to hunt and no reaction from throttle only when stood idling for 5 mins. Got message "engine management system faulty" on dash. Turned engine off, started, error went. Drive another 15 miles - car goes great, pulled over to connect Diagbox. Same problem. Restarted 3 times. No error. EML went off too. Drove 15 miles home. No problem at all. As I pulled into the driveway, "depollution system faulty" and limp mode again.

Restarted car, ran fine. EML on. Restarted 3 mins later. All clear.

This appears to be some weird fault caused by the battery being flattened. It's getting "better" but isn't there yet.

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, when a friend of mine had his battery on their Pug go flat (lights left on all day) I suggested that (after we got it started via jump leads) he went down the M4 to Newbury and back (to get a full charge back in). No problems, and she started up cleanly the following day.

[Tommy]

Well, when a friend of mine had his battery on their Pug go flat (lights left on all day) I suggested that (after we got it started via jump leads) he went down the M4 to Newbury and back (to get a full charge back in). No problems, and she started up cleanly the following day.

Thanks James.

I think the battery is kaput. I drove it another 45 miles then left it two hours, and it failed to start. I imagine having an already weak battery go totally flat hasn't done it any good at all.

New battery time tomorrow.

[Fake Concern]

You could well have found the problem, a dodgy battery on a C4 often causes all sorts of random problems & error messages.

[Tommy]

Sadly no.

It got a new battery yesterday. It drove ok for a while then we got "depollution system faulty" and limp mode - when idling in traffic .Restarting the car made it run ok until it simply cut out on me on a dual carriageway and refused to start. Another 3 hour wait for rescue. Code reader said crank sensor again. I'm too annoyed to have had Diagbox on it yet. I've either bought a faulty brand new genuine sensor or the wiring loom is faulty

I'd sell it if anyone was daft enough to give me £750 as it is! It's got a full history and a new clutch!

[RichardW]

It could be a faulty underbonnet fuse box - although I don't know if the crank sensor is routed through there, but it will depend on what exactly Diagbox points to. Post the Vin and I'll get a price / part number for yours.