C4 Picasso II engine start is delayed by 28 seconds

[marek5284]

Hi.
I had exactly the same symptoms of delayed starts on my 2016 Traveler. I have keyless entry and after pressing the start button the start was delayed, except the length of the delay varied. I have no idea what was affecting the delay, I couldn't find a connection with the ambient temperature, engine temp, time since the last start, etc.
The problem occurred for about a year. Then the battery died. I installed a new AGM battery and the delayed start has not appeared for more than 2 months. The car starts immediately. It only waits a few seconds in the cold, which is normal.

I drove for 2 days with the dead battery and started the car via cables from another car. When starting via cables, the delayed start did not appear. So this is a way to test if your delayed starts are caused by a dying battery.

[ammetto]

Hi Marek,
changed the battery twice, problem was the BPGA that drained it. Now I still have the delay 9/10 times and no anomalies are shown.
Plan to go to Citroen service in April

[ammetto]

Have been today in an official Citroen workshop, in my view they didn't have a clue on this but made an estimate for 1'250€ (not detailed what is gonna to be changed) and 2 days in the garage.
Speachless.
In case any update pls contribute

[sar77]

Hi Domenico,
It is possible that the Citroen workshop has already encountered this fault. That is why they are giving a price. But I highly doubt it for one reason - two days to fix a known fault is really too much. They will probably disassemble half the car looking for bad contacts, etc.
I got the impression that the delay is related to the fact that when the engine is turned off, part of the car's "brains" are turned off, which should be turned on even when the engine is turned off. Often, when I press "Start" on the dashboard, a symbol with the inscription "Loading" spins.
I think that the key to solving the problem should be sought from the other end - from the circumstances when the car starts without delay.
Lately I've noticed that my car's engine starts right up if there are newer model cars nearby. Almost always if there's a newer model Mercedes nearby.. And this is no coincidence, because this has already happened more than once or twice.
It can be assumed that the alarm or keyless system of the car parked nearby does not allow the "brains" of my car to "sleep". I don't remember a single time that the engine started right away in the country or, for example, in the forest (except for the cases you and I described earlier).
It is possible that updating the software of the car's "brain" would help, as long as the problem is not related to the failure of some electrolytic capacitor (or some other electronic component) in some ECU.
I remember under what circumstances the Start/Stop system stopped working in my car, so I do not rule out the possibility that the problem is related to the failure of some electrolytic capacitor. Start/Stop started working after the battery was replaced , but stopped working one and a half months later on one very hot day after several hours of driving and stopping on the highway, flashing a whole bunch of warnings about engine, gearbox, etc. failures
Sarunas

[Frank971]

Hi everyone! I’m new to the forum. I opened another topic, but someone pointed out that there's already a thread for this exact problem. I own a 2015 Grand C4 Picasso 2.0 BlueHDi—a very comfortable car, but it’s giving me some headaches lately.
​I’m having the exact same problem as ammetto Every time I try to turn it on, the glow plug light stays on and the engine won't crank until the light goes off, which takes about 30 seconds. Strangely enough, if the car sits for more than a day, it starts right up without issues.
​My mechanic couldn't find any error codes, which I find very odd. This issue also seems linked to the Start/Stop system: it gets disabled automatically, and when I stop, the green 'Eco' light just flashes on the dashboard.
​I talked to another owner who had the exact same problem. He told me that removing the F2 fuse from the BSI makes the car start instantly. I tried it myself, and it works—the car starts right away, though it triggers a 'Check Engine' light (which clears as soon as I put the fuse back in, even with the engine running).
​Based on what I’ve gathered, that fuse is supposed to power the 'retaining voltage device' (Volt-Control Unit). Does anyone have the wiring diagram for this specific circuit so I can trace the fault? Also, has anyone else experienced this or have any idea what the root cause might be?
The VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

​Thanks a lot for your help!

[ammetto]

Hi Frank,
Try to see these 2 attachments, one in English and one in Russian (better image quality).
There you see also the F2 fuse scheme
Share if those are useful and why.

I don't have the expertise to understand nor time to invest.
Domenico

[Frank971]

Thanks ammetto. I'm pretty good with diagrams, so let's see if I can dive deeper into the issue. I'll wait for the files, then.

[ammetto]

Now attachments are there, thanks.

[Frank971]

I’ve seen the diagrams, but it’s a shame they only go as far as the BSI connector. I noticed a user named GiveMeABreak who's able to get detailed schematics; I wonder if they could help us out. For now, I’m thinking of putting a switch in series with the fuse to get the car started right away, and then closing it once it’s running. Do you think that could cause any issues? In the meantime, as soon as I can, I’ll pull off the wheel and the wheel arch liner to check the RVD.

[mickthemaverick]

GiveMeABreak is no longer active on the forum I am afraid and we are relying on the goodwill of other members, who have access to the Stellantis live system, for information of the type he used to provide.

[ammetto]

Frank971, not in the position to judge.
Hope with your ispection you find connections that require a bit of care, important I've read we need a special tool to remove a bolt.
See here https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/view ... hp?t=85875

Pls share your findings.