Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by alfanumerical »

Regarding the oil, I have it on good authority that PSA Citroen R&D had stated that the oil used in the boxes may have caused the aforementioned problems with diff seals etc. As for EP80 being the correct grade, I'm unsure but it does possess the necessary characteristics to counteract the problems I mentioned.
Opie Oils actually recommend EP80.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by alfanumerical »

What are your thoughts re the problem?? The sensor problem is always a strong possibility but as far as I'm aware the sensors are internal to the actuators so can't be unplugged, binned and replaced. It means opening up the actuators and repairing.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by wheeler »

The Sensodrive system fitted to the C2 & C3 is quite different to the alfa selespeed system in that it doesent have a hydralic system, the gearchange & clutch auctuators are fully electical, no fluid involved, the oil is purley for lubricating the moving parts inside the box.
The later style EGS/MCP gearbox as fitted to the C4 Picasso has a hydralic system similar to the alfa selespeed.
The fist thing i would do with this fault if you've not already done is get the gearbox & engine ECU's updated to the latest software version.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by alfanumerical »

Is that 100% fact? What should I be looking at to sort the problem then?
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Post by addo »

Sillyspeed DOES use separate fluid to operate the hydraulic shifts. It's what you're putting in that reservoir adjacent to the nearside inner wing, behind the headlight. Where it goes is into the gearbox when actuator shaft seals start failing! The gearbox also has regular fill/drain abilities as it is separately charged.

To the best of my knowledge nobody has made a tester for the Selespeed accumulator- an easy project for a Citroen technician.

As to Sensodrive on the C2, Lighty may have a better idea but it could be something simple as a voltage supply or linked sensor that's at fault.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by alfanumerical »

Also, it was on the PSA Citroen network bullet in boards regarding the wrong grade oil causing diff seal distortion.
There has to be some link between the oil and the actuators?
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by alfanumerical »

Lighty???
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by wheeler »

alfanumerical wrote:There has to be some link between the oil and the actuators?
I can assure you 100% there is no link between the oil in the gearbox & the gearchange or clutch auctuators on a sensodrive system, they are both fully electrically operated. I have removed both of these units from a senso box & had them in my own hands, there is definitely no link to the gearbox oil or any other fluid.
The sensodrive gearbox on the C2 & C3 is practically identical to the old manual gearboxes Citroen have been using for years on saxo's etc apart from they have 2 big electric motors bolted onto them to change the gears & operate the clutch.
The EGS gearbox fitted to the C4 Picasso does a valve block that uses hydraulic fluid with an accumulator to operate it.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by alfanumerical »

Wheeler,

What shall I check then? Got to be a loose connection somewhere as it's just random when it decides to fault.

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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by xantia_v6 »

you should be looking for a Lexia. There should be some fault codes stored which are likely to give an idea of where to look. If fixing blind, I would be looking at connectors, voltage to the ECU, and if I wanted to spend some money I would change the engine and gearbox speed sensors.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by wheeler »

Software update on both the gearbox & engine ECU's is the first step here, you would be wasting your time doing anything else really.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by Gregg1100 »

ECU's, software, snow flakes----where did the Borg Warner 35 go wrong, lol.

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Post by addo »

Lack of locking torque converter, lack of overdriven gear.
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Re: Sensodrive C3 - a write off..?

Post by dnsey »

An 'off the wall' thought:
It's unclear as yet how the various sensors work.
Some gearbox oils are fairly conductive.
Ergo, it's possible that use of the incorrect oil might cause the sensors to malfuntion.
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Re:

Post by xantia_v6 »

addo wrote:Lack of locking torque converter, lack of overdriven gear.
To be pedantic, the BW model 35 fitted by Jaguar had a lockup torque converter...
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