Citroen xsara 1.6 petrol

[matt_v]

Hello all,

First time writing here. My name is Matt and I have a problem with my car. It's a Citroen Xsara 1.6 petrol. 1997. I don't drive this car very often because I have another one much younger. But anyway, here is what happened.

I have started a car. Immediately, it starts to shake when I press the gas pedal, and it also has an unstable idle speed. The check engine light started to light. I have filled the gas and started to go back home, and unfortunately, the car died in the middle of the road. I have to pay for towing. Now it's sitting in my front yard. Here is what I have checked:
1. It has no spark (I have removed a spark plug, ground it, and my friend tries to start)
2. The fuel pump is not working (It can't be heard when the ignition key is turned on, and I also removed the hose to the fuel rail and tried to start, to see if the pump pushes the fuel in the rail.)
3. I checked all fuses in the engine bay. All fuses are good.
4. I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor because I saw oil on it. But the car still won't start.
5. I have charged the battery. The starter motor spins the engine.
6. The timing belt is not broken.
7. I have tried to connect with obd2 diagnostic, but can't. For some reason, I can't connect to the car. Maybe the car is old??

I will be thankful if someone has ideas on what I should try next. It has no spark and no fuel. Maybe some relays or a bad ECU?
Thanks in advance.

[mickthemaverick]

Does it have a coil pack for each cylinder or is it a single coil and distributer. Either way if you have no spark on any cylinder then I'd check the HT circuits first. Likewise is the fuel filter clean and can you check for power at the fuel pump terminals with the ignition on?

[xantia_v6]

Can you tell us which version of 1.6 engine you have?

[wheeler]

Is the ECU powering up? Disconnect coolant temp sensor & check if you have 5v with ignition on. If not i would say the ECU is not powered up.
Most likely culprit is the main relay (AKA the double relay).
This provides power to the ECU, Various sensors & the fuel pump.

[matt_v]

Does it have a coil pack for each cylinder or is it a single coil and distributer. Either way if you have no spark on any cylinder then I'd check the HT circuits first. Likewise is the fuel filter clean and can you check for power at the fuel pump terminals with the ignition on?

It has single coil. From that single coil it has wires to spark plugs. Fuel filter is old maybe about 4-5 months. Voltage at two wires at fuel pump motor is 5 volts for some reason. Should it be 12 V?

[matt_v]

Is the ECU powering up? Disconnect coolant temp sensor & check if you have 5v with ignition on. If not i would say the ECU is not powered up.
Most likely culprit is the main relay (AKA the double relay).
This provides power to the ECU, Various sensors & the fuel pump.

Hey wheeler. Thanks for the reply. Today I have disconnected the double relay. I will order one and replace it. Is that a black box below the brake master cylinder

[matt_v]

Can you tell us which version of 1.6 engine you have?

Hello xantia. I dont know how many valves it has, if you mean that. 8 or 16V i dont that. I can post a picute here. Or i can send VIN number. VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[xantia_v6]

Your car has a TU5JP engine (90 HP).

The injection/ignition wiring diagrams are:

The key for component numbers (etc) can be found from viewtopic.php?t=80489

[matt_v]

Your car has a TU5JP engine (90 HP).

The injection/ignition wiring diagrams are:

The key for component numbers (etc) can be found from viewtopic.php?t=80489

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[matt_v]

The local car electrician has checked my car, and he says that the ECU is bad. In the attachment is my ECU. Can I just plug and play, or does it need to be reprogrammed?

[wheeler]

You would need to get the ECU virginised first then programmed. This needs specialist equipment not normal diagnostic tools, even Lexia can’t re program a used ECU unless it has been virginised first.
Option 2 get a specialist to clone the security data from your ECU to the ‘new’ one.
Or if you are not fussed about the immobiliser get as specialist to remove the immo from the ECU then it will be plug & play.

[matt_v]

Okey thanks. I will go with the second option wheeler. I don't need immo )
I will post here what happened in the end, in case someone has a similar problem.

[MattBLancs]

Just one thing to check - I recall smaller TU engines could have an issue with the coil pack - from memory of Sagem brand - that could fail and could potentially damage the ECU.

Worth checking what make your current coil pack is.

[MattBLancs]

Trying to find a good source of info on the Sagem coil pack issue.

Mentioned briefly here:
viewtopic.php?t=24448

And

Back in the days when 306`s were still being made Peugeot had a big problem with ECU`s being spiked due to faulty Sagem coil packs.

Here:
https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/r ... ne.203058/

And

PSA fit two alternative coil brands on the KFX; the unreliable Sagem one [which does often back-spike the idle circuit of the £250 ECU]

From
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post ... tm?t=54388

[matt_v]

Hi MattBLancs. Thanks, man. I will check it. But anyway, maybe the best is to buy a new one, it's about 30 euros, not so expensive. )