Sensodrive got stuck in top gear and stalled the car

now i know i don't have the easy to do normal gearbox problem with the electrovalves, i'm stuck.

the sensodrive got stuck in top gear and stalled the car, as i waited for the car to be recovered, i had tried to get the car going at least to get it off the road at which the first symptoms were that it had the "-" and not start, then when i did get it going, it had no drive even though it said it was in first gear, then after a couple of tries to get it to drive (going into to first then dropping it into N then into first then N etc etc) it suddenly went into 2nd and not come out of it even though it wouldn't drive, i then got dad round to give us a tow to safety (like 100 years) where i then waited a while and got recovered by the local breakdown guys, typically, after i had left it for a while, it had reset it self and allowed it to drive for the chap to turn it round and hitch it up.

does this sound definitely like a clutch actuator problem? can they be refurbished? is it like this video and just need proper lubrication?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLl1NTA ... 2Z&index=4
cheers all

here is as it stands now, a short video of it without the engine running, i'll post a video up of it with the engine running tough needed but its pretty much the same tbh

https://vid160.photobucket.com/albums/t1 ... fgp7jr.mp4

bidderman1969 wrote:the sensodrive got stuck in top gear and stalled the car,

Hello bidderman1969. The sensodrive C3 should be diagnosed with lexia clone tool because the sensodrive is a computer controlled system.

The ECU for the gearbox will monitor and report faults which lexia can read. The codes read can help you look in the right place for fixing it.

There is a topic that expands on what you need to get lexia running and what it can do here (topic).

bidderman1969 wrote:does this sound definitely like a clutch actuator problem? can they be refurbished? is it like this video and just need proper lubrication?

You would be wise to diagnose the fault. If the unit needs lubricating then you should lubricate it, but that won't fix a worn actuator or worn clutch or ECU problem. You can get the parts for the Citroen Sensodrive and for example the clutch actuator is available from here (ebay). If you do change the clutch or actuator because its faulty then you will need to set the ECU up in lexia to start the wear counter for the clutch.

cheers for that, really don't want to spend out on loads of stuff tbh, not happy with the arsehole that sold us this now as he said it had been diagnosed as a gearbox solenoid but said he would supply garage name that diagnosed it, but now won't talk to us, damn sh1t

bidderman1969 wrote: really don't want to spend out on loads of stuff tbh,

I don't think there are any cheap fixes for sensodrives that show the snowflake fault .

hhhhmmmm, so they obviously knew and sold it on by lying, hate scum like that.

so, lets think positive, what Lexia stuff will i need?

is it a stand alone unit, or would i need to plug it into a laptop?

is all the software included in the unit, or will i need to download it?

is there any guides on removing these various components? i would say I'm willing to try any fixing anything before a garage has to do it, or is it garage stuff only? are there places that refurb any of these components?

cheers all

bidderman1969 wrote:so, lets think positive, what Lexia stuff will i need?

Have a look at the lexia topic: Lexia/Diagbox information

It should give you some guidance and that topic place to ask lexia questions so they are all in the correct place and easier to find in the future.

bidderman1969 wrote:is it a stand alone unit, or would i need to plug it into a laptop?

No, you need a laptop too.

bidderman1969 wrote:is there any guides on removing these various components?

Nothing for the sensodrive... yet. But if you work something out and even better have photos of what you did or how you did it and wanted to share your findings, this topic

Tips for a Citroen C3 with an Automatic Gearbox

would be the place to do it. That topic is not a 'questions' topic but it is a place where you can put guides you make to help others.

bidderman1969 wrote:i would say I'm willing to try any fixing anything before a garage has to do it, or is it garage stuff only?

I don't know if you have access to tools but a home DIY mechanic can rival any garage if they are able to think outside the box and if that home DIY mechanic can work lexia then they can beat a garage that doesn't have that tool.

bidderman1969 wrote:are there places that refurb any of these components?

I am not aware of any for the mechanical parts, if you find any that seem to be useful please add them but BBA-Reman (here) may be up to doing the ECU, but a second hand one may be cheaper?

cheers fella

if needed, i was thinking of using these guys

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-C2-C ... 1883438648

The have quite a good feedback percentage, its worth reading the negative and neutral comments to see how they handle problems.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PP2000-Lexia- ... 1544196547
is this perfectly good enough Lexia stuff?