Citron C2 1.1 L 2006

[Monty DIY]

I have a Citron C2 1.1L Petrol 2006. For a few months, I have noticed an unusual steering behavior, such as loose or vague steering, uneven tire wear (front passenger side), and tires squealing during turns. It is hard to control when going around the corners, over the bumps. The steering sits at an angle towards the passenger side when driving straight and pulls towards the driver's side. I have recently changed both the front ball joints, and the above symptoms are still there.
I am not sure how to check what the problem is and how to check the steering wheel sensor fault. Can I reset the Steering wheel sensor?
Any help and advice will be welcome.

[mickthemaverick]

When you say the 'steering sits at an angle' do you mean the steering wheel is turned to the left when going straight?

[ozvtr]

and how to check the steering wheel sensor fault. Can I reset the Steering wheel sensor?

I would assume you have ESP? The fault will be that the steering wheel position and the yaw sensor are not in agreement.
I would seriously suggest that you get a wheel alignment at a shop that has a scan tool that can do the job (can interface with the C2). The steering angle sensor in the COM2000 will need to be reset.
I don't believe that there is just one fault in play here. The suspension is very simple, but you will require special tools to check the geometry.
The rear end cannot be adjusted. If the rear has suffered an impact that effects alignment, the car may not be economical to repair.

[Monty DIY]

Hi mickthemaverick, sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, the steering wheel is turned to the left when going straight?

[PaulC5]

Could be somebody has replaced the track rod ends or even only adjusted the tracking and not done it equally over both sides which can happen if diy or at tyre fitting places. This is more likely than somebody replacing the steering rack or removed the steering wheel unless you know differently. I once diy replaced a steering rack on a car and until I had the tracking set properly its steering was all over the place and felt dangerous to drive.

If funds allow, I would suggest a Citroen dealer to do the checks/adjustment rather than somewhere that advertises tracking checks.

[ozvtr]

Steering shaft has a master spline, so steering wheel can only be placed in one position.

[Monty DIY]

and how to check the steering wheel sensor fault. Can I reset the Steering wheel sensor?

I would assume you have ESP? The fault will be that the steering wheel position and the yaw sensor are not in agreement.
I would seriously suggest that you get a wheel alignment at a shop that has a scan tool that can do the job (can interface with the C2). The steering angle sensor in the COM2000 will need to be reset.
I don't believe that there is just one fault in play here. The suspension is very simple, but you will require special tools to check the geometry.
The rear end cannot be adjusted. If the rear has suffered an impact that effects alignment, the car may not be economical to repair.

Hi, I do think I have ESP., See attached photos of the dashboard lights, which come on when I turn the key to ignition, and most of them go off.
All I have done is change the ball joints, but the steering wheel issue was still there. During the changing of the driver side ball joint, the whole suspension moves outwards, dislocating the drive shaft from the gearbox. I am not sure if this could have caused these issues?

[Monty DIY]

Could be somebody has replaced the track rod ends or even only adjusted the tracking and not done it equally over both sides which can happen if diy or at tyre fitting places. This is more likely than somebody replacing the steering rack or removed the steering wheel unless you know differently. I once diy replaced a steering rack on a car and until I had the tracking set properly its steering was all over the place and felt dangerous to drive.

If funds allow, I would suggest a Citroen dealer to do the checks/adjustment rather than somewhere that advertises tracking checks.

Hi, I have always serviced my car from new. No track rod ends, or tracking has not been carried out. All I have done is replace the ball joints, and this was after the steering wheel issues started. Just passed MOT last week.

[Monty DIY]

Steering shaft has a master spline, so steering wheel can only be placed in one position.

Hi, this has not been replaced or adjusted.

[wurlycorner]

None of those lights or buttons indicate that you have ESP (not sure the C2 ever had that tbf?).
The button you're showing is a 'speed warning' function.
I agree with others, the wheel alignment is a purely physical mechanical thing, nothing electronic so if it 'looks' wrong then take it to a garage for an alignment check.

[PaulC5]

I notice the service countdown is showing 27550 miles overdue. It will be in the handbook on how to reset this after a service but is typically a button on the dash is held down (or possibly on the end of a stalk) and the key turned so the dash lights up. It will then countdown from 10 to =0 and then you can release the button and start the engine.

[ozvtr]

I am not sure how to check what the problem is and how to check the steering wheel sensor fault. Can I reset the Steering wheel sensor?

Yes, some versions of the C2 had the option of ESP. However, this car does not have ESP. Otherwise there would be an EPS light adjacent to the ABS light on the dash.
So that begs the question: Why are you asking about the "steering wheel sensor fault"...when it doesn't have a steering wheel sensor? Who said there was a fault with the steering wheel sensor?

[PaulC5]

The power steering might be an electric motor built into the rack so there might be something wrong with that.

[ozvtr]

The power steering might be an electric motor built into the rack so there might be something wrong with that.

The power steering is electric but there is no failure indicator light on the dash. You will need a scan tool (LEXIA) to get any info from the power steering ECU.
YES, heavy steering is a good indicator, but my question still stands; who said there was a fault with the steering wheel sensor? Are we now looking at a power steering failure as well as the wheel alignment problem?
Need more info.

[Monty DIY]

None of those lights or buttons indicate that you have ESP (not sure the C2 ever had that tbf?).
The button you're showing is a 'speed warning' function.
I agree with others, the wheel alignment is a purely physical mechanical thing, nothing electronic so if it 'looks' wrong then take it to a garage for an alignment check.

Thanks. I showed those buttons to prove that I do not have ESP.
I understand wheel alignment is mechanical. The car never hit any curbs or had issues with tyre wear. Now, only the passenger side wheel is wearing on the inside. Further, the wheel alignment will not cause the steering to become too loose. I will get the alignment done, but I want to sort out the loose steering.