Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

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mayonese
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Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by mayonese »

Hello everyone!
I have a Citroen Spacetourer 2017 van equipped with Start&Stop system. Recently it got quite problematic, since it just randomly doesn't ignite. Huh, I'd say, it turns the engine on without the hassle less times, than it doesn't!

The issue is: when trying to normally start the car, keyfob in the pockets, there is literally no reaction from the car's systems. It is possible to unlock doors, but afterwards there are few ways it can turn to - either the car will start "just as normal", the car won't start at all that day or will start but after several tries (getting in and out, locking/unlocking, manually turning the ConnectedNav screen on).

Usually the indicator, that there is a chance for the car to ignite, are dashboard lights turning on when entering the car. If they don't light up, problems appear as described.
The battery has been replaced not that long ago (we thought that might be the problem, previous was still OEM installed), but that didn't really help. Sometimes additional charging might help, but again, it's not a rule. We don't use the van as often as other cars, so it has some longer periods of parking - that's when you can expect the ignition problem to appear. If it is used on daily basis, the chances for successfull start are much bigger, yet it happens that leaving car for 20 minutes after stop and hopping in again results in fight for a start.

It's very frustrating, very random and from our observations, doesn't really connect to anything in particular. The diagnostics sometimes can also flush with announcement of "Check front anti-fog lights" - they work, we checked, nothing wrong, when the automatic curve lightning is ON, it detects them in first turn and warning dissapears. When starting normally, we don't get that warning.

What's worse, the dealer we've been recently for service campaign (faulty rear window cabling, apparently ours was ok) was not interested in diagnosing that problem, since they "didn't experience it". Any help with diagnosing that would be highly appreciated - having a car fitted with many great stuff that doesn't drive is not the idea :cry:
Also, it's my very first post here, so if anything else is needed, just let me know!
RichardW
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by RichardW »

This is usually a fault with battery protection unit (which sits in front of the battery), if you post up the VIN (it will hide itself) we can check if it is fitted.
Richard W
mayonese
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by mayonese »

VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Thanks!
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes, it does have a Protection & Management Unit.
Please note, I'm no longer active on the Forum, so won't respond to messages.

Marc
RichardW
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by RichardW »

That will be it then. Changing the unit on a C4 Picasso:

Richard W
mayonese
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by mayonese »

Thank you for quick replies. With that I actually managed to find similar, older posting on this forum, that actually shows similar symptoms (viewtopic.php?t=70911). Will be checking that unit then.
danlat1415
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by danlat1415 »

I had a similar issue, don't think it's the same though.

Mine would start fine, but then when the stop start kicked in at traffic lights, it wouldn't start back up again.
It turned out it was the auxiliary belt tensioners (2 on the belt). Replaced these and it was perfect again.
There was a recall on this - as the belt needs to be really tight as the restart is done by the alternator, so if the belt isn't tight enough the belt slips and won't restart.
mayonese
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Re: Citroen Spacetourer Start&Stop - car doesn't ignite

Unread post by mayonese »

danlat1415 wrote: 23 Aug 2024, 22:28 I had a similar issue, don't think it's the same though.

Mine would start fine, but then when the stop start kicked in at traffic lights, it wouldn't start back up again.
It turned out it was the auxiliary belt tensioners (2 on the belt). Replaced these and it was perfect again.
There was a recall on this - as the belt needs to be really tight as the restart is done by the alternator, so if the belt isn't tight enough the belt slips and won't restart.
That's actually not the case with ours, actually Start&Stop never meets requirements to kick - no icon in the dashboard - so the Management Unit diagnosis makes the most sense here 8-)