car stuck in auto mode and will not start
Forum rules
One question per topic about an Auto or semi-auto gearbox can be posted in this section
No engine questions
Think: Auto not changing up or down, snowflake/sport flashing, flappy paddles, actuator fault and sensodrive not changing gear.
One question per topic about an Auto or semi-auto gearbox can be posted in this section
No engine questions
Think: Auto not changing up or down, snowflake/sport flashing, flappy paddles, actuator fault and sensodrive not changing gear.
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- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:49 pm
Hi - First time post. I'm not very mechanically minded but here goes. My wife has inherited a 2004 c3 exclusive 1.4 automatic with 95000 miles on the clock. Unfortunately we don't know the history of the car other than it has been well looked after, servicing etc.
The car will not start. It is stuck in Auto, the ignition comes on but it won't start. The battery has been disconnected at some point so I've tried the resets suggested without success.
Apart from calling out an Auto Electrician has anybody any ideas.
Regards
Bill
The car will not start. It is stuck in Auto, the ignition comes on but it won't start. The battery has been disconnected at some point so I've tried the resets suggested without success.
Apart from calling out an Auto Electrician has anybody any ideas.
Regards
Bill
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- Posts: 3544
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:47 pm
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2002 (52)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Mileage: 100000
- Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
- DPF: No
- LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
- Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
- Has thanked: 355 times
- Been thanked: 139 times
Hi wardenlaw,
is it the 'flappy paddle' (senodrive) - with just a + and - type of automatic or the full PRND auto?
Oh, and you got your foot on the brake pedal while turning the key? (for sensodrive) or in P or N for the proper automatic gearboxes.
is it the 'flappy paddle' (senodrive) - with just a + and - type of automatic or the full PRND auto?
Oh, and you got your foot on the brake pedal while turning the key? (for sensodrive) or in P or N for the proper automatic gearboxes.
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- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:49 pm
Hi Arfur Dent,
Gearbox s flappy paddle type with just a + and -. I've got the feeling that the gearbox is telling the ecu its in gear, as its showing auto hence it won't start.
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Regards
Bill
Gearbox s flappy paddle type with just a + and -. I've got the feeling that the gearbox is telling the ecu its in gear, as its showing auto hence it won't start.
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Regards
Bill
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- Posts: 3544
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:47 pm
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2002 (52)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Mileage: 100000
- Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
- DPF: No
- LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
- Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
- Has thanked: 355 times
- Been thanked: 139 times
A couple of things to try then;I've got the feeling that the gearbox is telling the ecu its in gear,
To reset the flappy-paddle (sensodrive) gearbox, try this procedure first,
- Switch the ignition ON - a dash and "Auto" appear on the instrument panel
- Depress the brake pedal and keep pressing
- Wait until you see 'N' or a gear displayed (approx 30 seconds)
- Release the brake pedal
- Starting is now possible again
Try if the first one doesn't cut the mustard;
To reinitialise the flappy-paddle (sensodrive) gearbox ECU, try this procedure
- Switch the ignition ON then OFF
- Wait 5 minutes
- Switch the ignition ON while applying the brake pedal and then release
- Wait for 1 minute
- Switch ignition OFF and wait for another 1 minute
- Attempt to start the car
You can add an avatar to your account - Avatar or change your vehicle details - Car Bio or even add a signature to your posts - Signature. But this is not all you can do in the User Control Panel 

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- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:49 pm
Hi Arfur,
Just tried both procedures without any luck. I noticed a ECO MO signal came up on the central display.
Regards
Bill
Just tried both procedures without any luck. I noticed a ECO MO signal came up on the central display.
Regards
Bill
-
- Posts: 3544
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:47 pm
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2002 (52)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Mileage: 100000
- Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
- DPF: No
- LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
- Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
- Has thanked: 355 times
- Been thanked: 139 times
If the automatic box won't reset, and you don't get any noises from it the gearbox while attempting to reset it, there may be a fault.
There is a similar problem in this topic
Look at the last few posts about the switch that's attached to the brake bar, hidden up behind the glove box (ok its a left hand drive car converted to RHD for the UK) so expect a few odd locations for things.
The switch tells the computer that the brake pedal is pressed, and this signal is necessary to carry out the reset procedure.
Its a cheap thing to try and had been know to cause problems in the past.
Directly behind the brake master cylinder, on the other side of the bulkhead. Numbers 12 and 14 - two switches.
12 is the brake light switch and 14 is the brake pedal active switch.
There is a similar problem in this topic
Look at the last few posts about the switch that's attached to the brake bar, hidden up behind the glove box (ok its a left hand drive car converted to RHD for the UK) so expect a few odd locations for things.
The switch tells the computer that the brake pedal is pressed, and this signal is necessary to carry out the reset procedure.
Its a cheap thing to try and had been know to cause problems in the past.

Directly behind the brake master cylinder, on the other side of the bulkhead. Numbers 12 and 14 - two switches.
12 is the brake light switch and 14 is the brake pedal active switch.
You can add an avatar to your account - Avatar or change your vehicle details - Car Bio or even add a signature to your posts - Signature. But this is not all you can do in the User Control Panel 

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- Posts: 2807
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 10:01 am
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2002 (02)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Mileage: 140000
- Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
- DPF: No
- LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
- Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
- Has thanked: 217 times
- Been thanked: 109 times
Hi Bill
ECO MODE will come on after about 30 minutes of ignition on and the engine not running, during eco mode some electrical services will be unavailable, but nothing to stop the gearbox or engine working.
Don't worry about 'ECO MODE' on the display. The C3 is supposed to do this and the message will disappear as soon as you managed to get the engine started.Bill wrote:I noticed a ECO MO signal came up on the central display.
ECO MODE will come on after about 30 minutes of ignition on and the engine not running, during eco mode some electrical services will be unavailable, but nothing to stop the gearbox or engine working.
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- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:49 pm
Hi Arfur and c3,
Thanks for the info. Sent off for the brake switch. Will keep you informed.
Much appreciated.
Regards
Bill
Thanks for the info. Sent off for the brake switch. Will keep you informed.
Much appreciated.
Regards
Bill
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- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:53 pm
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2006 (06)
- Engine Size: I dont know
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Mileage: 80000
- Gearbox: Flappy paddles
- DPF: No
Hi,
It seems we have the very same problem.
Could you finish your story and let me know what is the solution?
Thank you
It seems we have the very same problem.
Could you finish your story and let me know what is the solution?
Thank you
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- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:35 pm
- Model: C3 2006-2009, Facelift model
- Year: 2006 (56)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Mileage: 51000
- Gearbox: SensoDrive
- DPF: No
In beginning it's shows auto mode active now it's shows Eco mode active and car in gear not changing to neutral can't move.I tried almost with RAC and local garages couldn't start the car. Pls anyone help
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