Citroen C4 - sudden multiple issues - warnings / suspension

[Midnight_Rider]

Newbie to the forum on the back of a few problems that have arisen since the weekend.

I've had a 2014 C4 1.6 HDi hatch for about a year which I've been really happy with. A terrific drive, great for long journeys, and excellent fuel economy. I've driven about 27,000 miles since I bought it last April. I had the factory recall through from Citroen so had that work done to replace the airbag, had it serviced, some maintenance work done to fix a couple of issues and new tyres. It passed its MOT last November and I had the one or two Advisories done that were called out on that.

So, back to the weekend, I'm driving back from the supermarket near where I stay and as I went round the roundabout near the supermarket, there was a bleep and a message on the display, quickly followed by a few more: "ESP/ASR fault - have the vehicle repaired", then "ABS fault - have the vehicle repaired", then "Anti Roll-back system fault". Drove home, a tad puzzled and then checked the handbook. It seemed to indicate a few possible causes, not least the battery and the alternator or possibly faulty sensors.

Went out to start it the following morning, turned the key, lots of clicking and nothing. Switched it off and phoned the RAC. They came out, checked the electrics and suggested the alternator.

Took it to a local garage, got a new alternator and....same problems. Now with an added knocking front side left wheel, and apparently the suspension has issues. Oh and now the fan stays on for a few minutes after the journey's done!

Absolutely no idea where all this has come from. The car's maintained, serviced regularly (usually around 10-12000 miles and not the 15,000 it can go up to in service intervals) and this has all occurred since Saturday afternoon!

Does any of this sound familiar? I'm at a complete loss as to whether to get it fixed, although the cost of investigation and repairs might be more than it's worth (it's got just over 83,000 on the clock), but the idea of shelling out for a replacement car doesn't appeal either! Any advice / tips welcomed!

[mickthemaverick]

These apparent random faults are often caused by a bad battery. Given that your garage fitted a new alternator I would have thought they checked it but you never know. Since you had cold starting issues in the morning, and you had the infamous ABS type faults, the first thing I'd do is give the battery a full overnight charge as it may be suffering as a result of the bad alternator. Once charged see how things are again and if still dodgy then you may need a new one. With regard to the suspension/wheel noise another possibility may be an issue with the ABS ring which has caused the electrical faults and now maybe mechanical ones too. Good luck

[PaulC5]

As mickthemaverick has suggested the battery could be at fault and if you are still on the original it may well be due for replacement.

We had a 2015 C4 and that developed a metallic knocking at the front left when going over slight bumps and potholes. It turned out the suspension shock absorber had developed play in its shaft so could move a bit sideways. It was a dealer parts man who suggested it as there had been a bad batch. It was only once off the car I could fully check it and the shaft then was easy to move sideways and replicate the knock. I put new ones on both sides so they were the same upgraded type and the fault went. Then it was about 5 years old and only 25k miles. I also put on new top mountings but there was nothing wrong with the old ones. In your case you should also check the anti roll bar drop links as these can knock when worn.

[Midnight_Rider]

Thanks for the replies gents. Much appreciated.

Do you have any idea roughly for the issues each of you have mentioned what a ballpark repair figure looks like? I'm no mechanic so it'd be going to a nearby garage to work on.

[mickthemaverick]

Places like Halford's will fit a new battery for a nominal fee. As to the suspension work I'd suggest 3-4 hours labour + parts to replace the shocks and droplink bushes. Depends on your garage's labour rate but I doubt you'll get much change from £500

[PaulC5]

I did the front shock absorbers myself, it was not a difficult job and by the end I got it down to about 1 hour each side. First time I had to dismantle it to find the fault, put it back together, get the parts and then it was easier. I got the parts from a Citroen dealer and in 2019 were not much different in price to elsewhere.

Drop links are also quite quick to replace, certainly less than an hour. You could get a price from a dealer but then also try a small garage. If the MOT is due wait for that and you will get the suspension checked without possibly paying for the fault to be diagnosed if you are unable to do this yourself.

Parts prices you can look up on-line from places like GSF.

The fan staying on could be the dpf is being regenerated when you turn the engine off.

Did the garage do a diagnostic before they replaced the alternator to check the abs system ?