1.4 HDi 2003 won't start

Hi there i need help as i have a c3 1.4 hdi 2003 that wont start i have changed and checked timing belt , battery and when i turn the ignition on it comes up eco the battery light flashes the car will turn over but wont start is there anybody out there with the answers or suggestions please

any help appreciated thanks

Hello b1gbozza, Welcome to the C3 Forum.

The eco mode warning is a system designed to prevent the battery running down when the engine is not running. It shouldn't stop the engine from starting, so it sounds like you have a problem with the computer (BSI) in the car. You could try resetting the BSI as this is quite quick and easy. There are some instructions here: https://citroenc3owners.com/citroen-c3-t ... 3-t69.html

If the car turns over, but won't start, it could be the immobiliser (IMMO), try the other key.

and with diesels when they turn over, but not start, its possible that the cranking speed is too low, often due to a poor battery or starter motor.

I don't suggest try "jump starting" as this can cause other problems, its best to take the battery out and charge it up if necessary.

If its getting cold where you are in the world, this is the time that weak batteries show up, a cold snap can kill off a poor battery that worked OK in the warm weather.


I am not sure why the timing belt comes into it, did you change the timing belt before the non starting problem? If you did, then I would look at the battery connections for a good, clean, non greasy join. Nice and tight too.

Euro Car Parts have great prices on batteries with FREE delivery available too!


Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Hi there and thanks for the welcome timing belt was changed after problem had arisen i was told that the timing may have been out 1 click and would need re-done so i have done all this i bought a obd1 and 11 diagnostic kit to check it out only to realise it doesnt do diesel cars under 04 duhhhh so im at my wits end but will check the battery again already had a good battery from my other car in but still same problem ?

The eco warning is pointing you to poor battery connections, battery earth, all the big cables from the battery to the starter etc. Poor condition battery connections will give "eco mode" as will a poor battery. (Eco mode is activated when the battery voltage drops to prevent further drain on the battery. ECO mode switches off various electrical circuits)

When you try to start the engine and turn it over, does it spin nice and quick? or is is a bit on the slow side?

Try jump starting it (boosting) with another car, some jump leads (or booster cables) while the engine is running on the other car. If the cranking speed changes or "ECO mode" disappears while boosting it will help diagnose where the problem lies.

If its not as fas as it used to be, a good overhaul of the battery connections, starter etc and a proper drain test on the battery would be my first steps (an not too expensive)

Other checks would be measure the voltage across the battery terminals, looking for more than 12v DC. If its low and its a KNOWN GOOD battery, look for short circuits. Something will be draining the battery. Hopefully not a glow plug.

Getting the timing belt done is well worth doing anyway, but its highly unlikely the timing would have gone out by one tooth without first damaging the belt beyond use (and the engine too).

You are right about the early diesels not being OBD compliant, you need a lexia programmer by citroen for early diesels, but the petrols seem to be OBD from the beginning.

Battery Changing Procedure:

Open the drivers window and the bonnet.
Close all the doors, switch off everything, like the radio, phone charger etc.
Remove the ignition key via the open window
WAIT 10 minutes
Disconnect the battery.


Reconnect the battery,
WAIT 1 minute
Keeping the doors closed, lean in via the drives window
Switch on lights
Then switch on 'ignition' and start the car.

Check the electric windows don't need resetting, the radio reprogramming etc.

I have a citroen c3 1.4hdi diesel 2007 model. Hatchback. Engine number 10fd841523230. This car is at the mechanic now for almost 2 months. I was still driving without any problems. Then I only had to change the plug on the crank sensor. After that the car cranks over but refuse to start. He had an autolec checked it out. No problems. Did diagnostics. Shows nothing. Checked fuses and fuse box and harness, nothing. Checked bsi, nothing. Everything he tested according to him doesn't pick up any faults. He charged the battery, then windows are working etc but the moment he tries to start the car, nothing. Fixed started everything. I don't know much about citroen but why doesn't the car want to start? He even checked the key because I had to replace the key last year. He can't find anything wrong. All I know is this is costing me money I don't have and feels like I am played. I am in South Africa