C3 locked and remote not working?

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Carl170
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C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Hi all. I’m hoping you can help please.

My C3 wouldn’t start last Saturday night. It sounded like the battery was flat and the car kept locking and resetting itself. No big deal, I thought - I would just take the battery out and charge it up.

On Sunday the key fob wouldn’t open the doors. I went to use the key in the driver door, but it seems to be stuck as well and the key goes in but it doesn’t turn. I have tried to heat the lock and used WD40, but it still won’t turn.

Next step was to use a couple of air wedges and use a rod to push the door lock switch. I can see the switch moving but it’s not unlocking the doors.

I am completely at a loss as to what to try next?

I’m thinking is there some way of getting the bonnet open to charge the battery and see if that resets anything?

Thanks for reading and for any suggestions!

Carl
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

If you have deadlocked the car (2 presses on the remote to lock it) then the locks are detached from the handles which is why you won't be able to open them from the inside as that is the purpose.

For reference this is the procedure for removing, replacing the car battery and then for resynchronising the remote control.

BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure

Normally the key should unlock the door - I assume you have tried turning it both directions?

To help further, please pop up your VIN (auto masked on submission) so we know exactly what model, year and locking system you have, that can help us with suggestions.
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Marc
Carl170
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Hi Marc,

Ye I have a sore hand from trying to turn the key both ways. I have never had any trouble before with the key.

The problem is that I can’t open the bonnet unless there is some way of opening it from the outside?

So far I have badly scratched the unlock button, bent a curtain pole and may have scratched my sunglasses, and I’m no further forward!

Carl
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

A VIN would help please Carl.... as there are many differences between models.
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Marc
Carl170
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Marc, it’s a 2003 C4 1.4 5 Door Auto. I don’t have the VIN to hand.
Regards
Carl
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

So we won't know if it has basic central locking or deadlocking - just to be sure. If you can get that for us it will help - it's in the lower corner of the outside passenger windscreen or on the log book for reference.
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Marc
Carl170
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Marc, I have PM’ed you the VIN.

Thanks

Carl
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by wheeler »

See this topic https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... od#p671090

I believe all UK spec C3’s have deadlocking functionality.
Carl170
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Ok, so if I’m reading this right The drivers side handle does NOT deadlock? So I could pull the drivers door handle?

The alternative is the rear door window winder? The rear door seems to have very little gap to wedge it? I have a set of tools and different rods so could try that as a last resort? What I hate is feeling like the glass could pop any minute!

Does the deadlock stop the lock on the drivers side from working too? As I said I can’t turn it, but can’t believe that would be a “feature” on any car!

Carl
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, so looking at your VIN you have a MK I 1.4 TU4JP with AL4 gearbox with Central Deadlocking.

Regarding your question, not really - the deadlocking function, when operated with a second press of the fob, disengages the locking mechanism on the INTERNAL door handles, so it is impossible to open the door from the inside using the door handles (so using something to try and pull the internal door handle won't work). A single fob press just locks the car and allows opening from the inside when the handle is used.
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Marc
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

You can try a little WD40 in the lock - this bloke had a similar problem:

https://citroenc3owners.com/tips-for-an ... t1269.html
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Marc
Carl170
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Marc, can you tell me if this photo of me putting the key in the drivers side lock looks about right? I’m sure the key never went al the way into the lock (unlike the ignition).

Regards

Carl
Attachments
Citroen key in driver door lock
Citroen key in driver door lock
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GiveMeABreak
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CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

We have a Mk II C3, but I will go and check for you now....
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Marc
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C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
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XM 2.0 SX Polar White
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GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Here you go - ours does not go fully in either:
C3 Lock.png
You'll have to excuse the bird crap on the door handle :roll:
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Marc
Carl170
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Re: C3 locked and remote not working?

Post by Carl170 »

Marc, thanks very much for that. Looks like I’m going to have to get the rear windows down and access the bonnet that way. Don’t know what to do if connecting the battery doesn’t reset it either.

It’s the key that annoys me most. 1st time in years that it hasn’t worked!

I will let you know how I get on!

Regards

Carl
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