Citroen C4 won't start. Citroen C4 does not start: possible causes, troubleshooting methods C4 does not start

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The car after the accident, according to the owner of the car, the blow fell exactly in the middle of the “muzzle”, but did not reach the engine. The view of the car is certainly a nightmare, but it is subject to restoration. They complained that the car would not start, dry candles, and there was fuel in the rail. According to the first signs, I got the impression that the immobilizer was blocked and the problem was more likely in the key, but I was convinced that it was started from this key and it was working before the accident.
Computer diagnostics showed errors in the crankshaft position sensor (phase sensor), and this can already be said to be the main reason no matter what the car starts and the following errors are misfires in the cylinders and the absence of a signal on the injectors. The sequence of work is clear, change the broken phase sensor. I checked, the sensor was not working, the wires from the sensor to the control unit (CU) are intact. After replacing the sensor, a spark should appear on the candles, when a spark appears, the control unit gives a signal to the injectors. This is how the algorithm of work on Peugeot and Citroen is built, I will say that the French should be given their due, the control system is built in such a way that if no spark, then the candles will not fill with fuel. They brought the sensor, replaced it, the key to “START”, and the car does not show signs of a desire to start. Turned the key again, the fuel pump is not audible. There are three options for the occurrence of such a situation: the first is a built-in alarm that blocks only the gas pump, the second is a native alarm (immobilizer), and the third is the blocking of the fuel system during an accident. Previously, a button was melted on these machines, which worked in case of an accident or with very strong shaking (which was also considered as an accident) in order to reduce the likelihood of a car catching fire in an accident. And now there are no such buttons, but the protection system remains, only in in electronic format. The so-called Double-relay is responsible for this. This relay is controlled by the control unit for the full operation of the engine, and the second part is the control of the signals from the airbags. The field of an accident, this protection system is triggered, then it is unlocked, but there are exceptions. I started sequentially, unlocked the built-in alarm so that suspicion would not fall on it. DOES NOT START. Double-relay cannot be bypassed, since the manufacturer made the unit not collapsible and all components (relays, including Double-relay) are not removable. I decided to postpone this situation as a last resort, I decided to deal with the immobilizer. The immobilizer unlock chip is located right in the key. There are times when the battery in the key just runs out and the immobilizer does not recognize the CHIP. It's easy to check, press the control buttons on the key, and if the machine responds, the key is in working order. In this situation, the car did not respond to the action of the key. DEFINITELY immobilizer, the second sign of immobilizer blocking is a refusal to reset errors in the control unit. I asked for a second key, the key was at home, it was brought after a while. I insert the key, the car purred with a “poltychka”. It turned out that the first key without a chip, it was taken out to bypass the immobilizer in the built-in alarm, for auto start. The owner of the car began to scold himself: “HERE, he called an auto electrician, spent so much time, spent money, but it turns out that he just mixed up the key.” I had to calm him down, although the first issue was the immobilizer lock, but I was suddenly convinced that the key was intact. THERE IS NO GOOD WITHOUT GOOD. Firstly, the car would not start because of the phase sensor, the second was done computer diagnostics, reset the errors, made an audit of the car electrics and found out what could fail in the near future (due to an accident). All in all, money well spent.

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Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6 16V

Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6 16V 3d. coupe, 110 hp, 4automatic transmission, 2004 - 2008 - the starter turns, but the engine does not start

The starter turns, but the engine does not start

Causes

There can be quite a few reasons for this behavior of the car. The main ones are listed below. We have divided them into two categories. To begin with, we will analyze those that any beginner can handle:

Human factor:
You forgot to turn off the anti-theft, which blocks, for example, only the fuel pump.
Exhaust pipe clogged. Kind people put a rag or a potato into it, or maybe you just drove into a snowdrift - there are many options. The exhaust pipe must be released.

All of the above, in general, is not a breakdown, and is solved in a jiffy. And now we will analyze the reasons associated with a technical malfunction:
If the starter turns very slowly, then the engine oil thickened in the cold may be the cause. And maybe discharged after long-term parking Battery or its strongly oxidized terminals. In this case, the voltage of the on-board network may sink so that the engine control unit refuses to work. Well, everything is clear here: oil should be filled according to the season, the battery should be charged or replaced.
Something is frozen - water in the gas line, diesel fuel in the tank or filter. Look for warm box!
out of order fuel pump. This is easy to verify, unless you are trying to start the car near a busy and noisy highway. If it is quiet around, then a sensitive ear is able to catch the absence of the characteristic buzz of the fuel pump during starter operation. At best, poor contact in the circuit is to blame, at worst, a pump replacement awaits you.
The flywheel is turning. This sometimes happened on cars of previous years of production, up to the VAZ-2109. You can hear that the bendix has engaged with the crown, and the crown is turning on the flywheel with a squeal. The flywheel is being replaced.

The starter does not engage with the crown. Cause: wear parts, teeth are chipped, etc. When trying to start, there is a grinding of teeth. Get ready to replace the crown or flywheel.

stuck bendix. Either his drive flew, or the bendix itself - it doesn’t matter. The starter motor can be heard turning at high speed, but there is no other attempt to crank the engine. Get ready to repair or replace the starter itself.

Ignition system failure gasoline cars . We check everything in a row - candles, coils, wiring, etc.
Diesel engine does not have glow plugs. The problem may be in the control unit, as well as in power relay. The candles themselves should also be checked - you will have to tinker with this.

Broken timing belt. It is easy to feel: the starter has become easy to turn. If you are lucky (the pistons did not meet the valves), it is enough to replace the belt, if not, then half a motor.

The timing belt jumped a few teeth, violating the correct valve timing. Again, at best, you will need to return the belt to its place, but at worst, expensive repairs await you.
Increased resistance to rotation crankshaft: seizures on the shafts, bearing shells, parts of the cylinder-piston group, deformation of the shafts. Check if the engine can be cranked when pushing the vehicle in top gear into mechanical box gears. With a machine gun, you will have to try to crank the engine by the drive pulley bolt auxiliary units. If the engine can be cranked relatively easily, then the search for the cause will need to be continued.

Jammed alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor. A defective unit does not allow the engine to turn. To check, you can first see if the belt is overstretched when trying to crank the engine. If suspicions are confirmed, then you can remove the auxiliary drive belt and try to drive to the service station on your own. Of course, this will only work on cars where the coolant pump rotates the timing belt. With an idle pump, without coolant circulation, even a cold engine will quickly boil.
At night, they tried to steal your car, but something went wrong. As a result, the attackers rummaged, broke something and disappeared in disgrace. Here, without diagnostics at the service station, the problem cannot be solved.

What to do

If the starter turns, but the engine does not start, the first thing to check is the power supply system and the ignition system.
Please note that all these checks should be performed only when the starter turns smoothly, without jerking. Otherwise (jerks during starter operation or clicks instead of the usual buzz), the problem should be sought, first of all, in the starter itself.

Checking the fuel system should be performed sequentially - from the fuel pump to the injector (carburetor):

1. If you have an injector, then when you turn on the ignition in the cabin, you should hear the buzzing of an electric fuel pump. If there is no buzzing, then either the fuel pump motor burned out, or there is no voltage on it. Therefore, it is necessary to check the fuel pump itself, as well as its fuse.

2. With carbureted cars, everything is a little more complicated: the fuel pump is driven by camshaft, so to check you will have to remove the end of the hose from the carburetor inlet fitting or the fuel pump outlet fitting. If you swing the fuel pump manual priming lever several times, gasoline should come out of the fitting or hose.

3. To check the presence of gasoline in the injector rail, press the valve of the fitting to connect the pump: gasoline should flow from there.

4. Be sure to check if it is clogged fuel filter. Perhaps the engine simply does not have enough fuel, so it will not start.

5. Another reason the starter turns over but the car won't start is a clogged throttle.

After completing all the above steps, you can try to start the car again. If the starter still turns, but the car does not start, then you need to proceed to check the ignition system.

1. First you need to unscrew the candle and check for a spark on it. To do this, put on a turned off candle high voltage wire, touch the spark plug skirt to the metal part of the engine and turn the engine using the starter (you will need an assistant for this). If there is a spark, then the candle is working.

2. If there is no spark in injection car, then the problem is in the ignition module.

3. If there is no spark in carbureted engine, then you should check the ignition coil. Pull the center wire out of the cover of the distributor, place its end 5 mm from the metal part of the engine (without touching it) and ask an assistant to turn the engine over with the starter. If there is no spark, the coil is bad.

4. If there is a spark and the ignition coil is working, you should remove the cover of the distributor and see if there are any defects under it (carbon deposits, cracks, etc.).

There are times when all these checks are not enough, and the car owner has to carry out deeper checks to identify the reason that the starter is spinning and the engine will not start. Among the reasons why this may be, there are also:

1. Blown fuse. This is not common, but check the integrity fuses still in blocks.

2. Corrosion on any of the electrical parts.

3. Condensation under the hood. There were times when the car would not start precisely because of excessive moisture under the hood.

Specifications

Technical parameters Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6 16V / Citroen C4 in the back of 3 doors. coupe with 110 hp engine, 4 automatic transmission, produced from 2004 to 2008

"Citroen C4" - comfortable, elegant, in every way modern car. The manufacturer presents diesel and gasoline options with automatic and manual transmission. The French did perfect car as in plan specifications as well as aesthetic ones. But, despite this, the owners are faced with problems during operation - sometimes the Citroen C4 does not start. Let's look at the main causes and find out how to fix these problems.

How exactly does it not start

Many car owners who have experienced similar problems write hundreds if not thousands of messages complaining that the engine will not start. But in order to understand exactly what is wrong with the motor, you need to find out all the symptoms.

Usually there isn't much options. So, it happens that the driver, as usual, turned off the engine that was working normally before, parked the car, and in the morning his Citroen C4 would not start. It also happens that the motor starts, but this takes a little longer than usual. Sometimes the internal combustion engine may work normally, but suddenly stops and does not start again. They also often complain that the engine starts and immediately stalls.

This is not all the options for breakdowns. Often, owners complain that the engine fires and sneezes at startup. Also, situations are not uncommon when the Citroen C4 does not start, the starter turns, but at the same time the car starts up perfectly in tow. Specialists are also faced with such symptoms when the car did not even go anywhere, but suddenly stopped starting.

Knowing how the engine behaves, you can understand at least approximately what is wrong with the engine or with other car systems.

Typical malfunctions

If the Citroen C4 does not start, do not panic. The success of the repair largely depends on how quickly and how well you can find weak link. In order to better understand the essence of the possible repair work, consider what can break.

Injection

It is possible to single out malfunctions related directly to the injector. With such breakdowns, the car does not start either cold or hot. The "Check Engine" light will illuminate on the instrument panel. Less commonly, the engine runs with the light on, but at the same time it will be difficult to start, and the work will be extremely unstable. Most often, injectors are clogged in the engines of this manufacturer. ECU fails. These nodes must be diagnosed first of all if the Citroen C4 does not start.

Ignition

Also, very often starting problems are associated with the ignition system. Here possible breakdowns more. Usually the reasons are candles - they can be flooded with fuel. In this case, the engine starts and immediately stalls, and after several attempts to start, it even stops grabbing. Rarely, but still there are problems with other components in the ignition system - this is the ignition coil or module, the crankshaft sensor.

Fuel system

Starting problems can also be related to poor or incorrect operation of the car's fuel system. French motors can suffer here from three possible problems:

  • Clogged fuel filter. In this case, the symptoms will be as follows: the car seizes, but does not start, if it was possible to start, then the engine will be very unstable.
  • You can highlight the malfunctions associated with the fuel pump. The car will not start under any circumstances and in any condition.
  • Fuel rail pressure. If it is not enough, it will be very problematic to start the engine. There is also a lack of cold and hot start, unstable operation.

Engine

Well, in the end, you can single out the motor itself as the cause of the problem. Here is the widest range of options available. The most common cause is poor compression or misaligned valve clearances. With such problems, high-quality diagnostics are needed, otherwise it will be very difficult to determine why the Citroen C4 Picasso does not start.

How to bring life back to the car?

If the engine stalls and does not start, you need to find and fix the breakdown. Let's see what is included in the list of diagnostic measures. In fact, many operations can be done by hand, without specialized tools.

When the starter turns, but there is no effect

If the starter turns, but the Citroen C4 does not start, then you need to make sure that the fuel pump in the car is working at all. In most cases, a working fuel pump can be heard. Most often, the sound of his work can be heard near the rear sofa. A characteristic buzzing will be felt when the device is running.

If the pump does not function, then experts recommend checking the integrity of the fuses, as well as the fuel pump relay.

It will not be superfluous to check the ECU relay. If the fuses are good, then you need to find out if the relay turns on. Its performance can be determined by a characteristic click. This click will be heard when the vehicle ignition is turned on.

Fuel system diagnostics

If the Citroen C4 has stalled and will not start, then the problem may be somewhere in fuel system. If the pump is working properly, then you need to make sure that there is pressure in the rail. To do this, you need a manometer. Field testing is also possible. There should be a spool on the ramp - you should press it. If the pump is running, then the pressure in the rail will be within 2.8 atm.

If you press the spool, then the jet of fuel from it will be even. The pressure must be constant. If the pump functions quite normally, but there is no pressure in the rail, then you need to check the presence of fuel in the tank, clogged filters, and patency of the lines.

pressure regulator

injection motors they work under a certain pressure, which is pumped into the rail by a gasoline pump and adjusted by a special pressure regulator. To diagnose it, disconnect the hose through which the fuel flows into the tank. With the hose disconnected, turn on the ignition. If fuel is supplied from it, then a problem has been detected, and the regulator must be changed.

If this malfunction caught on the road, then you can muffle one edge of the regulator or pinch the tube. Thus, you can get to the place of repair.

What else to pay attention to?

If there is pressure in the rail, there is gasoline in the tank, then the ignition system of the car should be diagnosed. For diagnostics, it is recommended to use a special spark gap. If a spark is present, but the Citroen C4 car does not start, then the serviceability of the candles is checked visually, and then with special equipment.

throttle valve

If this node does not work correctly, then a quick start and stable operation you can not wait. Damage can be diagnosed different ways. It is necessary to unscrew the supply pipe, inspect the body and the damper directly visually - it is possible that the development or any mechanical defects will be visible.

When the motor is not running, the damper will be closed. If it cannot close normally, then you need to clean the throttle.

Engine starts and stops

If the Citroen C4 car starts and stalls, then most likely everything is in order with the engine and its other systems, and the problem lies in the immobilizer. Diagnosing this malfunction is simple - usually on dashboard the lamp will be on or flashing. If the connection between the chip on the key and the immobilizer is lost, then you can forget about the normal start of the engine.

To solve the problem, you will need to use special equipment that is available on official dealer. Otherwise, you can replace the key with a spare.

Starter clicks, no effect

If, when trying to start, the Citroen C4 does not start and clicks at the same time, then we can say that the solenoid relay is faulty. It needs to be replaced. After replacing the starter will be able to work normally. It is also worth checking the condition of the battery. With a discharged battery, the current will be enough only for clicks.

If the Citroen C4 does not start, the starter does not turn, then you should check the wire connections directly to the starter, as well as the relay.

The starter may not show signs of life with a bad "mass" or missing contact. But it will also not be superfluous to carry out diagnostics with a scanner. The car is completely controlled by electronics, and there may be errors in any of the nodes.

Won't start hot or cold

In the first case, malfunctions associated with the coolant sensor can be identified. The sensor should be replaced. If there is no cold start, then all of the above is possible.

Diesel versions of the Citroen C4

Diesel engines operate differently than gasoline engines. And the reasons for the poor launch are slightly different here.

For diesel engines high compression is important. If for a number of reasons the compression has decreased, then the air in the combustion chambers will not be compressed enough. And if the air is not compressed, it will not heat up, and the fuel will not be able to ignite.

It is not uncommon for various problems with glow plugs to affect starting. Conventional diagnostics will not help here, since problems are not visible on a hot engine. But it will be problematic to start the engine on a cold one with faulty candles. Often the causes of failure lie not in the candles themselves, but in the electronics that control the operation of the glow plugs.

There may be problems with the fuel system. If any small particles get into the diesel injectors, the engine may not start. At the same time, attention should be paid to gray smoke when trying to start. If it is, then fuel is supplied to the cylinders, but the mixture for some reason does not ignite.

If the diesel Citroen C4 does not want to start in cold weather, then this may be due to fuel. It contains paraffin. In winter, such fuel thickens. It cannot pass through the filter in this state and, of course, is not fed further. You need to use winter diesel fuel.

Often there are problems with the fuel line. If there are cracks in it, then the fuel will escape from the system. The main thing to remember is that if smoke is visible from the pipe at startup, then fuel enters the cylinders. If there is no smoke, then it is worth diagnosing candles or compression.

Conclusion

So, we found out why the Citroen C4 car may not start. As you can see, the problem can be of a different nature. If this gasoline engine, then first of all you need to inspect the pump and candles. Well, diesel is a little more difficult. After all, if the problem is in compression or injectors, you won’t be able to fix it yourself.

This representative of the French automotive industry found wide appreciation from the domestic buyer. Citroen C4 has a modern appearance and has excellent technical characteristics.

But, like all cars, it can sometimes malfunction, for example, it will not start or stall at the most inopportune moment.

Many motorists are faced with situations where:

  • put the car in the garage, and in the morning the car does not start;
  • the car starts to work after several attempts;
  • the car is moving, the engine is buzzing regularly, but suddenly it stops and shows no signs of life;
  • the engine after turning on the ignition will make a little noise and stall;
  • when the engine is running, the car makes sounds similar to a sneeze or shoots from exhaust pipe;
  • the starter turns, but the Citroen does not start. But in tow it starts with a half turn.

By the operation of the engine, you can determine what happened to the car.

The main violations in the operation of the motor

If the Citroen C4 has stopped starting, you need to reflect and try to determine the cause.

  • Injection.

First you need to examine the injector. If this node fails, the car will not start both in the hot and cold seasons. The check engine warning should be illuminated on the instrument panel.

Of course, there are exceptions when the engine is running even when the indicator is on, but in such cases it will stall or run unstable. In Citroen, nozzles can become clogged. Very often, the ECU can be the reason for the silence of the car engine. Therefore, it is recommended to start checking the performance of these particular nodes.

  • Ignition.

The most common reason unstable work engine - filled with fuel candles.

The first few attempts to start the engine can still give hope to the driver in a positive outcome. But then the engine shuts down completely. One of the causes of failure may be the ignition coil or crankshaft sensor.

  • Fuel system.

European engineers have designed very good units, but most models suffer from three significant drawbacks: rapid clogging of the fuel filter.

In this case, the car will try to start for a long time and, if it does work out, it will work unstably; fuel pump failure. This entails total engine silence; insufficient pressure in the fuel rail.

  • Engine.

The main fault is poor compression and uneven valve clearances. In this case, a complete engine diagnostics will be required, without which it is not so easy to determine the possible cause.

Some breakdowns are completely eliminated without the use of a special tool on their own.

Fault namePossible reasonWhat should be done
You can hear the starter turning, but the engine won't start. At the same time, the sound of the fuel pump, which is located under back seat, Can not hear.The fuel supply unit does not work.Replace the fuel pump relay. Check ECU. It is necessary to turn on the ignition, then a click will be heard (for a working relay).
The car stalled and the engine would not start.No pressure in the fuel rail.Using a manometer, check the pressure through the spool on the ramp. If the pressure is normal, then you need to check the presence of fuel in the tank, whether the filters and lines are clogged.
Unstable operation of the engine when the machine is moving.Fuel is not supplied, the pressure regulator is faulty.Disconnect the hose that goes to fuel tank and turn on the ignition. If fuel is supplied, then the regulator needs to be replaced. If this happened on the track, then it is enough to pinch the tube to the regulator or muffle one side of it. So you can try to get to the car service.

What else do drivers pay attention to?

To make sure that it is broken, it is necessary to disconnect the supply line, conduct an external inspection of the damper (mechanical defects are possible). At idle engine damper must be in the closed position. If it does not close completely, clean the throttle.

  • If the engine starts and immediately stalls.

Maybe it's the immobilizer. How to find out? The indicator should show a malfunction. To troubleshoot, you must use special equipment or replace the key with a chip inside with a spare one.

  • The starter does not turn, but makes clicks, but the start is not carried out.

Looks like a starter relay. It needs to be changed urgently. We must also not forget about battery. If it is discharged, then its charge is just enough only for clicks. With such a problem, check the wiring connections of the starter and relay.

The Citroen C4 car is completely subordinated electrical system. Therefore, it should be diagnosed so that in the future there are no questions with it.

Diesel engines for Citroen

French cars of the Citroen brand are available in two versions: with gasoline engines and diesel. Concerning diesel cars, then the principle of operation is significantly different from its counterparts on gasoline. Accordingly, the reasons why they do not start are also different. For efficient operation of diesel units, high compression is required.

In the event of a decrease in the compression ratio, the air that enters the combustion chamber will be compressed, but not to the extent necessary. If the air is not fully compressed, it will not heat up and the fuel will not be able to ignite. Often, spark plugs affect the start of the engine. And here's the thing, starting problems may not arise while the engine is hot. But as soon as it cools down, the car will not budge even a centimeter.

There are times when it's not about candles, but about the electronics that control them. The fuel system also suffers when third-party small particles enter it. If, when starting the engine, blue smoke came out of the exhaust pipe, then the problem lies precisely in the fuel system (fuel is supplied to the cylinders, but the ignition process has not begun).

In case when diesel engine C4 does not start in cold winter weather, this should lead to the idea of ​​low-quality fuel. Perhaps it contains paraffin. The fact is that in cold weather, the fuel simply thickens to such a state that it does not pass through the fuel filter. Therefore, in winter, only special fuel is used for diesel Citroens.

Another negative point is when a crack forms in the fuel line. The fuel will leave the system through it.

There is a pattern - if a caustic exhaust is formed at startup, then fuel enters the cylinders. Lack of smoke means malfunction of the spark plugs or compression.

There can be many engine problems. If you are dealing with a gasoline engine, then you need to pay attention to Special attention fuel pump. In case of diesel units it is better to contact a car repair shop, since it will not be so easy to diagnose a breakdown yourself.

A car is a very complicated mechanism, and in order for it to fully help, and not cause inconvenience with repairs, which often result in a pretty amount, it needs good care and periodic maintenance.

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