C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

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paulwra
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C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by paulwra »

I have recently purchased an 03 plate C2 1.6 VTR for my wife, the automatic gearbox is very slow in lower gears to change up. It disengages then takes what seems to be forever to engage the next gear and it particularly in gears 2 and 3. She uses the flappy paddles to engage quicker, which is a small help. Any advice, assistance or explanations would be gratefully received.
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Re: C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Take it back!

This is not an actual automatic. It has a manual gearbox and clutch, which uses hydraulic actuators to do the gear and clutch changes. It has no torque converter. These sensodrive systems are known to be hard to repair, extremely costly to fix when they go wrong and really should be avoided if possible. Sorry to be so negative on your first post, but members who have had these and the EGS boxes on other vehicles will attest to the issues when they go wrong. Best advice I can give is go fully automatic or manual.
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Re: C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by daviemck2006 »

Im an ex owner of a c2 1.6 sensodrive. Im afraid you will not find much love for them. My one had the most comprehensive service history I have ever seen on a car, and one owner. When the car would not start it was a problem with the gearbox actuactors which was wrong. It cost over a grand to fix, but it was so slow and jerky changing gears I sold it at a big loss to me. 6 months later it was being advertised with a gearbox problem for scrap money having just covered 3000 miles since I had had the box fixed at citroen. My advice, get rid of it quickly, or kill it with fire. Just my opinion sorry.
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paulwra
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Re: C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by paulwra »

Thank you for your replies, looks like I've made a costly error. Luckily I haven't paid much for the car so I will advise her to use the flappy paddles for a while we look for another car and scrap this one. Thank you once again.
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Re: C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by GiveMeABreak »

You may as well keep using it for now until it gets really problematic - you could end up fault-free for some considerable time - but if it gets to the point where it becomes unusable, I would then scrap it as you suggested as it will cost to get a proper diagnostic and again for any repairs.
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Re: C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by wheeler »

If you are used to a proper auto then a sensodrive will never be anything like it.
If you have access to Lexia it’s definitely worth trying to reprogram the clutch & gear change auctuators.
Failing that getting a dealer to update the software in the gearbox & engine ECU’s (they should always be done together) may make a bit of improvement.
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Re: C2 VTR sensitronic gearbox, slow between lower gear changes

Post by paulwra »

Thank you all for your replies and advice, great forum and members. All your replies have been greatly received, I will have a word with the other half but. I think we will be getting rid of the car, it’s a shame as she’s rust free and looks well, but doesn’t inspire confidence in my wife when she’s driving. Thanks again.
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