Sensodrive / actuator - finding a repairer

Hello all,

I have a 56 plate Sensodrive 1.6. It came up with a 'gearbox fault' near home and wouldn't change, then once it got home it won't start again.

It makes a short repetitive whirring noise for about 10 seconds (quickly on and off) as though an electric motor is trying to work something, and then refuses to start. I can't see the 'snowflake' that everyone mentions, but otherwise it seems very similar.
I've tried the ECU reset (battery off for > 5 mins) to no avail.

Anyway - My friend has a Lexia (or something similar) which tracked the issue down to a fault with the clutch acutator (I can't remember the error code, sorry).

The problem is I can't get anyone to fix it - my usual garage says they can't do it and that it has to be a Citroen dealer as it's to do with the Sensodrive. I've had the same answer from a number of different garages locally.

The nearest Citroen dealer is miles away (I live in the peak district) and won't pick it up. I explained that I could probably arrange get it there, but as soon as they heard the age of the car (56 plate) the refused to deal with it. I had rung initially when it was just 'gearbox fault' and they said it was too big a job ("at least £4000 or more") and I should scrap it. I rang back when I had the error code and they said the same.

Are they correct? Is there anyway I can repair what is otherwise an alright car (albeit not worth anywhere near £4000)? Train tickets to work are coming in at around £200 a month!

Incidentally I tried the local Peugeot dealer, hoping they'd be able to do it - they said they might (although they weren't sure) but couldn't fit me in to find out for at least 3 weeks.

Do I need a new car?

Hi Thomnorman

Thomnorman wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2019 3:11 pm The problem is I can't get anyone to fix it - my usual garage says they can't do it and that it has to be a Citroen dealer as it's to do with the Sensodrive. I've had the same answer from a number of different garages locally.

That is a shame, something must have scared them off in the past?

You have access to lexia, that is a good step in the right direction and probably a bigger step than the garages you have contacted.

Thomnorman wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2019 3:11 pm I had rung initially when it was just 'gearbox fault' and they said it was too big a job ("at least £4000 or more") and I should scrap it. I rang back when I had the error code and they said the same.

The are just not interested in repairing it.

Do you want to get your hands dirty and are willing to do the actuator yourself?

Maybe do some more phone calls to find someone who is willing to change the actuator.

Obviously, more (free) time on lexia can bring a deeper level of diagnosis and this would well be worth the time spent on it without paying a dealer to do it.

This topic has some information about setting the sensodrive clutch actuator



the C3 sensodrive clutch actuator


You can get a brand new Citroen C3 sensodrive clutch actuator here