Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDI Momentary Power Loss / Jolt

[Taz18384]

Hi all

I've recently picked up a Xsara Picasso on 108k. The car has started jolting for a split second, I'd say 90% of the time this when there's a small incline, but I also get it when driving flat sometimes. It can do this both engine cold and engine warm. Today it did it 5 times within a few minutes, then was fine for 40 minute remainder of the journey.

I've done a scan and this returned quite a few faults, but the EML doesn't ever flash. I have not cleared any codes - some of these may be historical.

P1351 - preheating relay circuit
P0483 - fan unit open circuit
P0490 - egr valve opening too small
P1162 - egr valve stuck when driving
P0401 - air circuit amount measured higher than the setting
P4909 - egr valve stuck during programming
P0335 - engine speed signal incorrect or missing
P1639 - injection system supply relay circuit open circuit
P0341 - camshaft signal no signal or incorrect signal

The car returns good MPG, boosts fine, and I have just fitted a brand new battery as the old one was reading a bit low.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where to start?

Thankyou!

[PaulC5]

Note down the freeze frame data using your code reader. This will give you values when the last code was stored which might give a clue to the last fault. Then delete the codes and see what comes back since there is no point worrying about anything that is no longer a problem.

What year is the car ? Is the servicing up to date including fuel filter replacement ? When was the timing belt last replaced - could be due for its 3rd one now as they are on a 10 year interval ?

[RichardW]

EGR valve - our first C4 Picasso did this. Fixed it by replacing the valve. You could probably clean it, but it's a PITA to get at!

[shtu]

Does anyone have any suggestions of where to start?

Clear the codes, take it for a drive and rescan immediately after the fault occurs.

There's at least 3 codes on that list that -could- give the problem described.

[xsara92]

I have the same car - wonder do you (the OP) have the 110hp model, and do you have ASR/ESP? Or the 92hp model?

I have had similar symptoms to what you describe for 18 months.
A new fuel filter made the judders much milder AND less regular, but they do persist.
One key difference between our cars - I never get the fault when the engine is cold.

I am not convinced it's EGR failure, simply because we both get good MPG. Also, mine wasn't close to the MOT emissions fail limit.

Thank you for posting fault codes - I will be interested to post mine when I get round to buying a diagbox.