central locking problem Citroen C3

[mattybc3]

2008 C3 1.4 petrol 8 V cachet

I've just bought for my nephew the above type C3 - £100 needed a new clutch - now sorted

The problem is with central locking - it only seems to work if the key fob is held near the steering column - I've changed the cr1620 battery (3 different new batterys ) in the only key fob I have - the car has a brand new fully charged main starter battery - the "passenger safety" central locking button in the centre console works (locks and unlocks the car) if you use this button and then open the drivers door the car unlocks - if you unlock the car with the remote fob (close to the lock ) and don't open the door, the car will relock its self as I would expect - does any one have any ideas ? having searched the internet, there's mention of the BSI unt ?? is that the receiver for the central locking ? can these fail ?

any advice gratefully received !

[mickthemaverick]

The first thing is to reset the BSI following the procedure defined in the link below. Once it has been reset try the various operations again and post up the results.
viewtopic.php?p=601679#p601679

[mattybc3]

Thank you - so to confirm what i did - with the drivers window down and bonnet open, I waited a few minutes and then disconnected the battery and waited 5 minutes - I then reconnected the battery, reached in through the window and put the key/fob into ignition and switched on (without starting the engine) I then held the lock button on the fob for 10 secs, removed the key (still from outside the car) and tried the lock/unlock a few times which did not lock or unlock the car - however reaching in through the window and holding the fob by the ignition switch/steering lock the fob will lock unlock the car (indicators flash)

Matt

[mickthemaverick]

OK that sounds like a good BSI reset so the problem appears to be the transmitting strength of your fob. The only other thing you could try is to open the fob as you did to replace the battery and spray the circuit board with contact cleaner, examine it under a magnifier for sludge or cracks in the board. Once back together try it again and if still no good then I think it may be buy a new fob and have it coded to the car.

[wheeler]

The RF receiver is integrated into the comms unit (the wiper & lighting stalk assembly), I doubt there is any fault with it though, i would think if it is receiving its working, id probably go with the fob itself being the problem, definitely worth giving it all a clean as above.

[mattybc3]

thank you for both the replies - I do think it could be the fob -I've tried cleaning it with contact cleaner, carefully bent out the prongs on the battery contacts - I'm also pretty sure that once or twice from a "normal" distance the central locking has worked !

[mattybc3]

quick and positive update - resoldered 2 connections on the battery in the PCB fob which didn't appear to make any difference - however I cleaned the PCB fob again with electrical contact cleaner and a gentle but thorough scrub with a toothbrush and the happy sound of central locking clunking from 6 feet away can be heard - many thanks Mick the maverick and wheeler

[mickthemaverick]

Excellent, well done and thanks for reporting back.

[mattybc3]

and its stopped working I spoke too soon Mick ! another clean with electrical contact and it is working - must be the PCB board - I'll keep trying it - but a cheap after market remote unlock kit might be the cheaper option than a new key at £150

[mickthemaverick]

Oh dear! Get the board under a strong magnifier and you may spot a tiny crack in one of the tracks which makes and breaks as you flex the fob. If so, and you have a steady hand , you may be able to bridge the track with a soldered wire. I've attempted similar dozens of times on various boards and I would say around a 75% success rate!!

[mattybc3]

I'll have another look ! also can you confirm - when I open the drivers door, without switching on the ignition, the red battery symbol flashes on the dash for about 5 secs ? is this normal ? thanks Matt

[mickthemaverick]

I'm afraid I can't help with that one as I have no experience of the car. It sounds like something to do with the immobilser to me, hopefully someone with a C3 may be able to shed some light on it!

[PaulC5]

Have a look in the handbook for the flashing battery symbol, a quick check in one suggests it flashes until started as part of the lamp tests.

[wheeler]

when I open the drivers door, without switching on the ignition, the red battery symbol flashes on the dash for about 5 secs ? is this normal ?

The battery light can flash if the car is in eco mode (a battery power saying strategy), you exit eco mode by starting the engine.

[ozvtr]

If you "muck about" in the car for an accumulated 30 minutes WITHOUT STARTING the engine, the car will "shut down" and the battery light will flash. It's called "ECO MODE".
A lot of people forget the time and complain that the car has shut down on them "for no apparent reason". Now, remember I said ACCUMULATED! So if you get in and out, and in and out, that time adds up!!!
Classic example is people working on the car with the radio on. After 30 minutes...'click', no power!
But as Wheeler said, just start the engine to reset it.
NOW, a lot of people complain that their car won't start BECAUSE it's in ECO MODE. THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!!!! ECO MODE DOES NOT STOP THE ENGINE FROM STARTING!!! Typically people try to get the engine running (for one reason or another) but the car eventually goes into ECO MODE because your 30 minutes are up! Even then it is NOT ECO MODE that is stopping the engine from running.