Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
C3PO2008
Posts: 3
Joined: 25 Feb 2021, 06:44
Location: Leicestershire and South Wales
My Cars: Citroen C3 1.6 hid 2008 (exclusive plus)

Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by C3PO2008 »

Hello,

I just (regrettably) bought a 2008 C3 1.6 hdi with 89000 miles on the clock - its my second C3 (the other was a 1.4hdi that lasted about 2 months).

I say 'regrettably' because I missed out on a Peugeot Partner for the same price (I have had 2 Berlingo multispaces in the past - the green 2.0hdi being the best car I ever had).

Anyway - I'm no stranger to French cars (I just remembered I had a Peugeot 206 estate a few years back).

My problem is with the current C3 - it drives really nicely. Needed far too much work for the amount I paid for it (not been serviced since 2015 but I was blinded by all the paperwork and it was getting dark and cold when I said 'I'll buy it').
So I changed all the filters, flushed and replaced the coolant (OAT), changed the oil, cleaned the interior, a mobile mechanic fixed the jamming rear brakes, I put a new bracket on the rear silencer, repaired the rusted sills, emptied the water from the headlights, replaced bulbs.

Tried to put OBC11 reader in and noticed one of the pins missing from the diagnostic 'socket' under the glove box. The central locking works from the button on the dash but nothing happens when I try the key fobs - I replaced both key's batteries and have tried resetting the keys doing the 'turn on ignition and press the lock for 10 seconds' and all variations of this trick but still nothing. I also noticed the locking wheel nut adapter is missing a few teeth and the front wheel locking nuts have been butchered (nothing to do with the mobile mechanic).

So to reiterate; CENTRAL LOCKING NOT ACTIVATED BY KEYS, PIN MISSING FROM DIAGNOSTIC (so reader says 'LINK ERROR', and HOW DO I GET THE WHEEL NUTS OFF (to replace with normal bolts that I got from Ebay). PLEASE HELP! (Main problem is central locking).
wheeler
Posts: 6847
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 717

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by wheeler »

It’s normal for an OBD socket not to be fully populated, im looking at a C4 one just now & there are only 10 pins in it. Is this what you mean?
As for the remotes, have they been checked to see if they are transmitting?
C3PO2008
Posts: 3
Joined: 25 Feb 2021, 06:44
Location: Leicestershire and South Wales
My Cars: Citroen C3 1.6 hid 2008 (exclusive plus)

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by C3PO2008 »

692.jpeg
wheeler wrote: 25 Feb 2021, 07:56 It’s normal for an OBD socket not to be fully populated, im looking at a C4 one just now & there are only 10 pins in it. Is this what you mean?
As for the remotes, have they been checked to see if they are transmitting?
Funnily enough I just found a photo of the OBD socket online, which is a relief. I'll get the keys checked as I have been having nightmares about replacing the BSI, ECU, Keys etc...Image
User avatar
Paul-R
Donor 2023
Posts: 6916
Joined: 07 May 2009, 16:24
Location: Wirral, NW England; Vaucluse 84, France
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 2015 1.6 Blue HDi 120 Peugeot 308 Active SW
2013 2.0 HDi 163 C5 Exclusive Tourer
2003 2.0 HDi 110 C5 Exclusive Estate (Gone)
2001 2.0 HDi 90 Xsara Estate (Gone)
x 1369

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by Paul-R »

C3PO2008 wrote: 25 Feb 2021, 07:06I also noticed the locking wheel nut adapter is missing a few teeth and the front wheel locking nuts have been butchered (nothing to do with the mobile mechanic).
Take the locking wheel bolts out while you sill can and replace them with standard wheel bolts.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
C3PO2008
Posts: 3
Joined: 25 Feb 2021, 06:44
Location: Leicestershire and South Wales
My Cars: Citroen C3 1.6 hid 2008 (exclusive plus)

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by C3PO2008 »

That's what I'm trying to do. Got new bolts but the locking ones are chewed up.
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 13520
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
Location: Hertford
My Cars: 70+ former cars (list available) including 11 Citroens, 3 Renaults
Current cars: 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SEn, 1994 Mazda MX3
x 6010

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by mickthemaverick »

There are many tools available cheaply to remove wrecked bolts. Just search on ebay for "Wheel nut removal tool" and you will find plenty of options. Here's an example:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11x-Locking- ... SwAtZezJEi
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
quintet
Donor 2023
Posts: 311
Joined: 14 Apr 2010, 21:51
Location: northwest
My Cars: 2.0 hdi Peugeot 307
x 41

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by quintet »

C3PO2008 wrote: 25 Feb 2021, 13:21 That's what I'm trying to do. Got new bolts but the locking ones are chewed up.
Might be worth trying a tyre fitting centre as they often have to deal with missing locking nuts and usually have the kit to remove them, unfortunately the design of the PSA ones can make it difficult to get them off and this can lead to damage around the wheel bolt hole. If the car is not driveable and if your in a recovery company it might be worth giving them a call although they usually only do breakdowns in my experience.
Music keeps me going.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36990
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Have a look at my illustrated post here if you still want a locking wheel nut - I had the same problem and replaced the locking ones with a limpet design, as there are no pins to break off:

viewtopic.php?p=659965&hilit=limpet#p659965

They also compliment the existing bolts without using a wheel cover as they are chromed.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Vejas
Posts: 2
Joined: 14 Mar 2016, 10:13
Location: Bridlington
My Cars: Citroen c5
x 1

Re: Please help me! - 2008 C3 problems

Post by Vejas »

I had a same problem with lock bolts for missis C3. it took about 15 min take out 2 bolts. I simply drilled 6 or 7 mm hole in centre of bolt and hammered t35 torx in to the hole. What work well.
Post Reply