Safe Mode problems - multifunction switch

My daughter has an automatic C3 that has started going into safe mode, snowflake and S on display, and drives slowly. After turning ignition off and restarting it works ok for a while. It was diagnosed as a "multifunction" switch problem by mu local garage which was replaced for £200 but the problem is still there. They now want to let an electrician loose on it, but before I throw more money at it any ideas what is wrong?? It drove for an hour last night but dropped into safe mode first thing today!..

Hi pecker0_1,

before I throw more money at it any ideas what is wrong??

Sport and Snowflake illuminated or flashing are just the general warning of an error condition. The gearbox ecu then puts the car into limp home mode as a self preservation exercise while allowing some use of the car. Many different faults can bring on the same conditions.

The way to diagnose the fault is to read the error codes stored by the various ECUs on the car, with these error codes you can start to do some testing or inspecting, oh and let us know the codes with their corresponding description

To read the fault codes stored in the car, use the Lexia tool as OBD tool isn't going to go deep enough for the gearbox.

They now want to let an electrician loose on it,

It is an auto electrician sort of thing, rather than a mechanics thing, at least to read the codes and do the diagnostics.

Thanks for the reply. Sorry I don't know the codes, just that it was to do with the multifunction switch and being in an unstable position? I just worry I have wasted £200 as they have replaced the switch but the problem is still there. I am no expert by any means and don't have access to a Lexia and probably wouldn't know what to do anyway!
I guess I am at the mercy of my garage to hopefully sort it?!..
Any ideas would be appreciated....

Hi

i know this post was a while ago but did you ever get to the bottom of it and what was it? and more importantly how much lol

just got my c3 and have same problem

charissa1985 wrote:Hi

i know this post was a while ago but did you ever get to the bottom of it and what was it? and more importantly how much lol

just got my c3 and have same problem

Same problem or same symptoms?

Sport and snowflake are just general 'errors' not a specific fault.

Any illumination of sport and snowflake need diagnostics to help identify the problem. Use lexia for the diagnostics.

as driving along it flashes snow and sports and the d changes to the -. had a scan done by a mate and it said something about pressure but waiting to hear back just getting frustrated as need car and dont know whether i should be driving it or not.

did it cost you a lot to get sorted?

charissa1985 wrote:as driving along it flashes snow and sports and the d changes to the -. had a scan done by a mate and it said something about pressure but waiting to hear back just getting frustrated as need car and dont know whether i should be driving it or not.

The flashing symbols are warning you to get it investigated ASAP. The car thinks its safe to drive to the garage, but you risk causing even more damage to the gearbox if you continue to drive. The more you drive while its faulty, the more damage you are likely to do and the more work (expense) will be required to rectify it.

Don't get frustrated, get it checked out. If you are planning to fix this yourself, you are going to need more than 'some pressure fault' - you need the proper error code and the citroen description. If you don't plan on fixing this yourself, get it booked in to someone who can fix it, sooner rather than later to get a better chance of having a cheaper repair.