2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

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WELSHVIKING
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2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by WELSHVIKING »

Hi, Its a long time since I have been on here. My wife's 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso 2.0 HDI Blue has a problem with the heating. Its the first time we have drove this car in a cold spell as only bought the car in the summer. What is happening is there is no heat coming out of the drivers side vents , its lovely and warm on the passenger side but only lukewarm on the drivers side. The temperature gauge is going up to where it should be and as I said the heat is lovely and warm on the passenger side. Any help would be appreciated...Thanks Colin
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Could be several things - but needs further investigation to be honest.

Either the air mixing control / flap spindle has perished or there is a blockage in the heater matrix somewhere that is blocking the flow on one side.

When was the last time the coolant was checked / flushed / replaced, or have any leak sealing products been used?
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by RichardW »

Likely the matrix is blocked, seems to be a common fault on these. There's a thread here: https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... p?p=674099 including on page 4 an innovative method of cleaning it :rofl2: Fortunately on these in RHD getting the matrix out is pretty straightforward.
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WELSHVIKING
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

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GiveMeABreak wrote: 29 Nov 2021, 11:09 Could be several things - but needs further investigation to be honest.

Either the air mixing control / flap spindle has perished or there is a blockage in the heater matrix somewhere that is blocking the flow on one side.

When was the last time the coolant was checked / flushed / replaced, or have any leak sealing products been used?
Only had the car since July , its got full service history 76k miles but not sure about when the coolant was last flushed or any leak sealing product used. Apart from this issue it runs like a dream and my wife is over the moon with it apart from being a bit chilly at the moment.
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)
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WELSHVIKING
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by WELSHVIKING »

RichardW wrote: 29 Nov 2021, 12:25 Likely the matrix is blocked, seems to be a common fault on these. There's a thread here: https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... p?p=674099 including on page 4 an innovative method of cleaning it :rofl2: Fortunately on these in RHD getting the matrix out is pretty straightforward.
Thanks Richard, that sounds promising, especially as its not a dashboard removal job to replace the matrix.
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

^ Yes, one of the small blessings the French have left us with RHD vehicles - and let's face, there's not many!^
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WELSHVIKING
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by WELSHVIKING »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 29 Nov 2021, 11:09 Either the air mixing control / flap spindle has perished or there is a blockage in the heater matrix somewhere that is blocking the flow on one side.
Is there any way I can get it checked this air mixing control and also is it the same thing as a flap motor as I have heard of a flap motor. If so where would it be situated on this car . Thanks Colin
Last edited by WELSHVIKING on 29 Nov 2021, 19:33, edited 1 time in total.
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

On non-manual AC Heating Control systems, there are stepper motors that operate both the air distribution and the air mixing flaps. The number of these motors can differ depending on the type of system (Dual Zone, single Zone or multi Zone for some Picasso’s or other vehicles) and options.

These motors generally speaking are attached to plastic spindles that operate the flaps to control the above.

What can happen is the plastic spindle gearing can snap or wear at the ends, and when it goes, it will leave the particular flap in the last position, so is stuck. This can be difficult to get to and fix if this is the case as the spindles in the heater box are high up and generally inaccessible.

It may of course be simpler if it is a blockage in the heater matrix pipes that is causing a circulation problem.

So maybe worth getting it looked at and tested to see if there is a blockage.
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by WELSHVIKING »

Thanks Marc, Car is booked in Tuesday 7th December, I would have looked myself but a friggin slipped disc is knocking me about at the moment.
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Yep - unless you're Reed Richards, not much hope..
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

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The car has been to a local garage for a couple of days and it has totally stumped the mechanics there. They have checked the matrix which is ok, all flaps are working fine and all other tests are ok. Its still blowing out hot air from the passenger side but luke warm from the drivers. They don't want to go replacing parts when they cannot find anything wrong with the old parts. Fortunately they are not charging me anything as they have not fixed anything. I will be collecting tomorrow morning and obviously be back to square one !!.
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by RichardW »

Unless they've had the matrix out, not sure how they can say it is good! You can get a Nissens or Denso one on e-bay for £50, and it should only be an hour to 2 to fit. I'd just get them to put one in.
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by WELSHVIKING »

RichardW wrote: 08 Dec 2021, 22:52 Unless they've had the matrix out, not sure how they can say it is good! You can get a Nissens or Denso one on e-bay for £50, and it should only be an hour to 2 to fit. I'd just get them to put one in.
Thanks for that, I am stuck in work at the moment any chance you can send me a link to the ebay ones please. Thanks Colin
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)
RichardW
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by RichardW »

Only appears to be one part number for all variants, although there is a replacement part no. Cit want nearly £200, but..

Nisssens

GSF claims to be OEM
Richard W
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WELSHVIKING
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Re: 2014 CITROEN C4 PICASSO HDI BLUE

Unread post by WELSHVIKING »

RichardW wrote: 11 Dec 2021, 11:29 Only appears to be one part number for all variants, although there is a replacement part no. Cit want nearly £200, but..

Nisssens

GSF claims to be OEM
Thanks Richard for the links your help is much appreciated. When I put my details into the box at the top asking does it fit my car only the GSF one says it fits , the Nissen one says it does not fit. Maybe it cause my wife's car is a C4 PICASSO 2.0HDI not a 1.6HDI. I am not sure how easy they are to fit but I believe its not a big job, if anyone can send me a link on how to replace the matrix it would be great I don't mind paying for the information if I have to. Thanks Colin
CURRENT CARS:-
2019 CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 110BHP MANUAL (WIFES CAR)
2020 CITROEN AIRCROSS 1.2 FLAIR PURETECH 130BHP AUTO (MY CAR)