auto stuck in gear after safe mode

We have an auto C3 that stalled. There was an error code and the car went into safe mode. The car is now frozen in gear. We have tried disconnecting / reconnecting the battery and no luck. Have tried to get a diagnostic at the dealers but thus far the car will not talk to the garage kit. Any ideas?????

Hi Steve, Citroen made the C3 from 2002 to this current year with a choice of petrol and diesel and several different automatic gearbox options.

An insight into which particular Year, Engine and Gearbox you are dealing with may help.

Steve wrote:Have tried to get a diagnostic at the dealers but thus far the car will not talk to the garage kit.

Some C3s only fully talk to Citroen diagnostics. A Lexia type reader may be required / Citroen Dealer.

Steve wrote:There was an error code and the car went into safe mode

What was the error code?

and have you cleared the fault (fixed the part) that brought on the error?

Stuck in which gear?

Does the car run?

Thks
Just had to check with my sister in law whose car it is.

She does not remember an error code.

Battery light was on.

She assumed it was going from 2 to 3 but electronic gear displayjust showed 2 flashing lines.

A click sound then went into economy mode.

Does this help???

Thks

Steve

Steve wrote:Does this help???

Not really Steve.

C3CAR wrote:Citroen made the C3 from 2002 to this current year with a choice of petrol and diesel and several different automatic gearbox options.

An insight into which particular Year, Engine and Gearbox you are dealing with may help.

We don't even know what engine or gearbox is fitted, or the year of the car or if its a 2002/2006 or 2010 shape.

Its all very vague.

Steve wrote:A click sound then went into economy mode.

So, is the car stuck in 'eco mode' - I presume you mean 'eco mode' as that message can be displayed on the message screen in the car.

Eco mode is when the car detects that the battery is at risk of being run down too much. You normally get this message after listening to the radio or using the wipers without the engine running. The computer (BSI) then switches off non essential electrical circuits in an attempt to save power.

Steve wrote:Battery light was on.

"Was on", and now its not on?

The battery light flashes when in 'eco mode' as an eco-mode indication.
Battery light can be on in various scenarios, sometimes its ok, sometimes it is showing an error, it all depends when the light comes on.

Without knowing the gearbox, try resetting the gearbox ECU.

@say_gar wrote:For sensodrive gearboxes, turn the ignition to the second position, then keep your foot pressed down on the brake pedal for anything up to two minutes. You should hear the gearbox engage and disengage. The "-" on the speedo should turn into a "1" at which point you need to turn the key to start the engine.

Many thks for the comments thus far. Apologies for delay but my sister in law has been at work today.

For the record it is a 1.6 (1587cc) C3 Exclusive auto (sensomatic) registered 5/2006 petrol 5 door.

Tracking back, not sure if connnected but.....the previous day she had a warning message that a nearside brake light had failed and has not yet been fixed.


Many thks

Steve

Did you manage to reset the gearbox?

It will be worth checking the fuses (both fuse boxed) as eco mode is a computer controlled power feature.