Who should repair the car?

[krio1987]

I have a Citroen c4 grand Picasso mk2 (2016) diesel. Which recently broken down whilst I was driving home. When I started the car again I could drive a few feet before the car would cut out again.

So, I called the AA out and they informed me that the following error codes had shown up:
* U1109
* U1213
* U1218
* P1632

The car had some smoke coming out the back, something it wasn’t doing before it stopped working, and there’s definitely ad blue in the vehicle.
The AA guy ran an ESR clearance program (at least I think that’s what he said) and that solved the smoke. But didn’t fix the car shutting off.

So he cleared all the fault codes after we noted them down and the car sprang back into life.

When the car initially broke down the dashboard listed, a parking break fault, ESP/ASR fault and transmission fault.

Once we managed to get the car going we both drove the car around for a bit and I couldn’t see anything wrong with the transmission, the car drove fine. The AA guy agreed, he thinks it’s an electrical issue rather than mechanical.

Im a little worried about driving the car with the kids in, when it might suddenly loose power and stop.
So I want to get the car looked at, but I’m not sure where to take it. Should I take it to Citroen, a normal garage or a car electrician?
Obviously Citroen will be the most expensive and I’m not sure whether a normal garage would have the equipment to investigate the electrical issues.

I previously had a ECU specialist look at my last mk1 grande and they were able to identify the issue quite quickly. So not sure if I should just take it there.

Any thoughts or advice would be welcomed.

Many thanks
Adam

[RichardW]

P1632 seems to be an alternator code, I wouldn't expect that to cause running problems. The U codes are all comms codes that probably came from the alternator code (or whatever else it was upset about but seems to be hidden!). Unfortunately if it is now running OK and the codes have been deleted there will be nothing to go on, and you will need to wait for it to break again! What sort of smoke were you getting?

[PaulC5]

Out of your choices where to take the car to be fixed, I would use a Citroen dealer. They may have a higher labour rate than elsewhere but if they know what they are doing will be quicker at fixing a problem.

[wurlycorner]

If you don't fancy the dealer (or they don't have quick availability) then there are some reported Citroen specialists near you probably worth a try?
https://www.apautocare.co.uk/citroen-se ... r-bristol/
I have have no first-hand experience of them, but a quick check on the forum shows some longer standing members have recommended them before.
(nb: lots of others have websites stating they're Citroen specialists, but when you dig more closely, that's a generic page that's shown for all kinds of manufacturers...)

[krio1987]

P1632 seems to be an alternator code, I wouldn't expect that to cause running problems. The U codes are all comms codes that probably came from the alternator code (or whatever else it was upset about but seems to be hidden!). Unfortunately if it is now running OK and the codes have been deleted there will be nothing to go on, and you will need to wait for it to break again! What sort of smoke were you getting?

Hi Richard, it was a sort of grey/white smoke. Unfortunately it was dark so a little difficult to see in the street lights. I have the codes saved so I can supply them to the dealer. You’re right removing the codes makes it difficult, but I guess I couldn’t move the car without clearing them. I’m thinking I might go to Citroen and get them to do a full check or something. Hopefully that’ll reveal something.

[krio1987]

If you don't fancy the dealer (or they don't have quick availability) then there are some reported Citroen specialists near you probably worth a try?
https://www.apautocare.co.uk/citroen-se ... r-bristol/
I have have no first-hand experience of them, but a quick check on the forum shows some longer standing members have recommended them before.
(nb: lots of others have websites stating they're Citroen specialists, but when you dig more closely, that's a generic page that's shown for all kinds of manufacturers...)

Thanks for sending this, they look like they have good reviews etc. however, bristol is up the motor way from where I live, so I’m a bit worried about driving the car up the motorway when it might cut out. So maybe I’ll look for a Citroen specialist in Weston. Although, I do have an issue with the stereo unit, where I need the firmware upgraded. So maybe it’s worth me just going to Citroen, take the hit and at the very least I’ll get a report of anything wrong.

Thanks for your response.

Adam