Central locking only works inside the car??? plzz Help

Hi
My central locking has stopped working on my c3
I have put new batteries in both keys and have tried reprograming both of them.
I have had it into a local garage they linked it up to computer to see if it showed any faults? But it showed none.
If you sit in the driver’s seat and try working the keys locking and unlocking they work fine but as soon as move away from the dashboard they don’t work?? So I cant lock the car

Have you any ideas?

My last resort is taking back to Citroen. cus they dont want to help over phone

Thank you for your time

Darron

Welcome to the forum Darron,

they dont want to help over phone

To be fair to Citroen, I don't think they can do anything over the phone to sort it out.

It sounds like the power of the remote control transmitter in the car is reduced, rather than the key fob as you tried both keys with the same results.
I don't (yet) know where the remote control transmitter is located in the car, but behind the dashboard sounds likely.
EDIT, the remote locking receiver is inside the COM2000.

What year car do you have?

Hi
Thanks for fast reply
The car year is 2008
Thank you

Thanks for fast reply

Thats OK, although it was a quick reply it came with very little 'meat' to solve your problem

I have had a look through all the documents I have to hand and can't find any mention of the location of the transmitter/receiver in the car.

Your saviour may come by the name of 'Missing Lincs' who has done quite a lot of work with a C3 alarm and my be able to shed more light on the matter. I am hoping he will pass by soon

I'm here, but not sure what I can do on this one to help.

I don't think there's a huge difference between pre and post facelift C3s, my experience is based on the earlier model.

Like C3CAR, I don't know where the keyfob receiving antenna is, I do know that the range should be at least 20 feet from the vehicle if not more so the problem described is severe if you have to be inside the car to get it to lock. Central locking operates through the BSI (main control module) so that would probably be the starting point.

My first question would be is this environmental ie something nearby jamming the signal. Do things work better if the car is parked in a different place?

If you want to PM me your VIN I will see if there's anything on the repair documentation that might help.

One other question I've just thought of, does the distance that the keyfob works depend on whether you're locking or unlocking?

Deeper digging leads me to understand the the remote locking aerial is in the 'com2000' or 'com2002' which is the unit that has the indicator and wiper stalks attached. Tricky to remove.

Missing Lincs wrote:My first question would be is this environmental ie something nearby jamming the signal. Do things work better if the car is parked in a different place?

This sounds like a good idea and much easier to test than the com2000 unit.

Hi thanks for your replys
The keys wont work anywhere at our house or work only when u are within 10" of steering wheel.and u can lock and unlock the car with the keys. Where us this com2000? Thanks

C3CAR wrote:'com2002' which is the unit that has the indicator and wiper stalks attached. Tricky to remove.

Its looks like this
Citroen call it the 'controls under the steering wheel' (probably a direct translation of the French name ) but also 'switching block remote control'

Plenty COM2000 units on eBay (here) are found on eBay, they have been fitted to many citroen and peugeot cars over the years with many different versions.

There is a sticker on the top, found after removing the plastic cowl. The sticker has number which identifies the part.

This particular one is a com2002 96474025XT from a 2002 C3.

So you would recommend changing com2000? Still no luck with keys. I just dont understand how they work inside car and not on outside...

dazzswfc wrote:So you would recommend changing com2000? Still no luck with keys. I just dont understand how they work inside car and not on outside...

Its sounding like the system has lost signal gain, something isn't amplifying the radio signal enough to do what it should. As both fobs do the same its looking like the receiver is the problem. The strength of radio signals decreases as the source and antenna get further apart, bringing the transmitter nearer to the antenna by being in the car, you are giving the antenna the strongest possible signal, but even then, only just enough to work.

If it were mine and swapping the Com module is fairly simple and cheap, I'd go for that option. I think this will be one of those problems that will be solved by changing parts. You could try getting the system read for errors, whether there is a facility within the car for picking up this problem is uncertain. My only reservation about swapping modules is if they are matched or coded to the car.