Citroen C4 VTS - Starter problem

[lancia58]

Hi,

Lately when trying to turn on the engine the starter will not work. After many times of trying the starter will rotate for a second and then stop rotating. In order to check the problem I disconnected the plug ( in the fuse box under the hod ) that has the wire that hocked to the starter solenoid and fed 12v directly from the battery. When doing that the starter rotates continuously. The fuse box is new so I guess it is not the problem. I suspect the ignition barrel switch is faulty. For a long time I noticed that when starting the car there is an hesitation till the starter start to rotate.
In order to validate if the ignition barrel switch is faulty. In order to validate this I want to short the pins of the ignition barrel switch, the same pins that are shorted when turning the key to start the engine.
Can any one let me know which pins in the connector of the ignition barrel switch I should short?

Thanks
Zohar

[wheeler]

I have yet to see an ignition switch fail on a full CAN vehicle, They are not like old ignition switches that carry heavy currents, Its just really a signal. You will see how thin the wires are when you have a look.
To rule it out though pin 3 is the starter signal wire. I would temp wire up a little bulb to it & see if its dropping out when you crank it.

[lancia58]

I guess when starting pin 3 is shorted to other pin in the connector of the ignition barrel ? I want to bypass the ignition barrel and short it by myself , so I need to know which pins to short

Thanks
Zohar

[lancia58]

Hi,

Anyone can help with the ignition barrel pinout ?

Thanks
Zohar

[wheeler]

Pin1 = ignition live
Pin2 = Battery live
Pin3 = Starter signal wire

With the ignition on shorting pin 3 to either pin 1 or 2 should operate the starter.
I would say the first method i mentioned about fitting a temporary bulb to the starter output wire (pin 3) would be the best way to diagnose this so you can actually see if the switch is providing power.