Help wanted for friend - C4GP with gearbox issues (Tamworth way)

[djoptix]

Friend in Tamworth has a C4 Grand Picasso with the 1.6HDi and semi auto box.

He was driving it at about 50mph in an average speed check, put foot down when it ended; revs rose but speed dropped. He stopped, put it in manual, same thing happened - lots of revs but no forward motion.

Gearbox technicians so far won't look at it for less than £2k, he says. They think it could be clutch, but have quoted £650 for that - but would need gearbox attention first to find out if that's really the problem...

Essentially he needs a) someone handy who can diagnose it for less than £2k and advise, or b) someone who wants to buy a knackered Citroen.

Any thoughts?

[GiveMeABreak]

If it is the EGS system, it is basically a manual gearbox and clutch - just operated by hydraulic actuators and some electronics. But that's the end of the 'Basic' bit.

You don't say what the mileage it, but without diagnostics it is a good probability it will be the clutch if it is about due - so don't fear the worst. Don't assume it is the gearbox as it is not an automatic as I mentioned - the clutch is slipping most likely. When they are changed it will probably need recalibrating, but Richard will be along in a while no doubt to give you the good news.

[RichardW]

It seems unlikely that the clutch would just fail completely like that...more likely the gearbox has lunched itself inside, or the actuators have gone doolally. Getting it on Diagbox may reveal some pointers as to what is wrong, but it's likely to cost £lots to put it right. If you can get some diagnostic info might get some ideal, but my thought it's probably best to scrap it / sell if for spares and buy something else.....

[Eddie Nuff]

. . . or bung another box in it?

[RichardW]

My mate tried that with his 2.0 HDI EGS. It worked for a while, then spat the dummy again, and despite fitting replacement actuator he still couldn't get it to re-program the grid. Ended up selling it for parts at a loss of about £5k....

[Eddie Nuff]

Fair enough. I know very little of this kind of box safe to say that I intend it to stay that way. Just seems as though the simple art of changing gear has been made bloody complicated for no apparent gain.

[Eddie Nuff]

While we're at it what year/mileage/colour is the car?

[GiveMeABreak]

Correct - better to go Fully Auto or Manual - you know where you stand there - these 'automated manual' systems have a lot of complex interactions with each other making it extremely complex to diagnose and repair, which is why some people don't bother - I always warn friends and family away from them when asked about anything with EGS!

[Gibbo2286]

Correct - better to go Fully Auto or Manual - you know where you stand there - these 'automated manual' systems have a lot of complex interactions with each other making it extremely complex to diagnose and repair, which is why some people don't bother - I always warn friends and family away from them when asked about anything with EGS!

My first experience of such a transmission was this in an Austin A50:

http://magnette.tickell.me.uk/history/manumatic-clutch

[GiveMeABreak]

And mine was on the C-Matic which I had on my Prestige 2.4 long wheelbase, room for a pony / disco in the back job - fantastic car (and although she eventually succumbed to rusting bodywork, still had a perfect steering rack , unlike the X7 ) - sorry, had to get that bit in as I'm just waiting for the second rack to be delivered.

http://www.citroencarclub.org.uk/drupal/node/119

[Gibbo2286]

I had a CX 2400 with the C-matic transmission...………….or did I? memory's on the blink, I know I had one but was it the CX?

[GiveMeABreak]

I think it was only the GS and the CX with C-Matic, which later went fully automatic IIRC Gibbo.

[Gibbo2286]

I remember now, this is the beastie alongside my temporary home and my derelict house project before the work started.
And the (almost) finished project. 1988-2002

[lexi]

Good pics Gibbo. That caravan with an Oriel window!!
Wonder if anyone has put a manual box in these EGS failures? Can it be done? or is there too much hassle with ECU etc.

[Gibbo2286]

Most things can be done with the necessary skill and patience Lexi but as you say the modern computer/ecu set up on these cars would probably be the downfall of such a project.