Xsara VTS running on 3 cylinders

[onetruecharlatan]

Hi,

Having some issues with this car. It's a Xsara VTS 2.0i 16v 167hp model, running 2 x O2 sensors, (so I've been told). It has for sometime been intermittently running on three cylinders with the Engine Management Light also being lit. If the engine is switched off, then restarted, it runs perfectly again, but the EML stays on for a short period, (24 hours or less), after. Was advised by our local Citroen mechanic that one of the O2 sensors looked like it was much older than the other and that this "might" be the issue.

Car just failed MOT on emmissions. The pre-cat sensor has been replaced by aforementioned specialst. He ran some diagnostics on it, (don't ask me what, as this is my dear old dad's car and he doesn't ask questions, just moans about everything thereafter ), and was told "it was reporting back to the ECU as should be expected", or words to that effect.

This was fitted on Wednesday just gone. It's now Saturday and after driving it 8 miles or so since, he has just let me know it went onto three cylinders again and the EML has returned.

I have read a previous post about this, (posted some years ago now), with the exact same issue and someone questioned the ECU software version, stating there was an upgrade available to sort this issue out.

Should the "specialist" be able to see a). The current software version via the diagnostics tool he's using, (I assume it's Lexia??), and b). Whatever the diagnostic tool brand, would he be able to download any newer versions and install it via same tool?

Having Googled original ECU versions for this car, it seems there are plenty of suppliers out there for such things. I came across this one from Dyno-ChiptuningFiles:

File specifications: Citroen Xsara 2.0i 16V | 2002
Car Citroen Xsara 2.0i 16V
Type -
Model year 2002
Displacement -
Output 167.0PS / 122.8KW
Gear 5
ECU manufacturer Marelli
ECU name IAW 48P2.60
ECU prod nr IAW48P2.60
Hardware nr 9641719880
Software 9642382380
Software version -
Software size 80000
Project type Eprom
Read hardware -
8 bit sum 2640

Is this relevant? Anyone know if this is what he needs? I guess I'll need to get the ECU details off his car. I have no idea how to go about sorting this out for him. Any help/ideas would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[wheeler]

What are the fault codes? Is it highlighting a specific cylinder?
The VTS has separate individual ignition coils for each cylinder which is normally the most likely culprit.

[onetruecharlatan]

What are the fault codes? Is it highlighting a specific cylinder?
The VTS has separate individual ignition coils for each cylinder which is normally the most likely culprit.

I didn't even give the coilpacks a second thought as the "specialst" has always cleared the EML and charged him £30 for the priviledge until this time, when he was supplied the O2 sensor to replace the older one.

The diagnostic printout isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Says nothing about a bad cylinder nor gives any fault codes. We're going to see what happens on the re-test on Monday, and pass or fail, he will have the MOT station carry out a diagnstic on it, with the proviso that he is told exactly what is going on. If it reveals that one of the coils is bad, then a new rail is £40 and I'll fit that when it arrives.

I thank you for your imput Wheeler and I'll let you know the outcome on Monday.