1.6 HDI ignition issues (amongst other things)

Hi

This is my first time posting on the forum! Needless to say I have owned my Citroen C3 1.6 HDI VTR for over 3 years! Hands down it has been one of the best cars I have had!

That is until a number of issues which keep occurring! One at the moment is when I start the vehicle, I turn the key in the ignition and a horrendous grinding screech noise happens, the battery light on the dash flickers. I then have to turn the ignition off and then on again and the car fires up as if nothing is wrong!

Now I've had a brand new starter fitted Oct 15, I thought it was battery/charging issues but it wasn't so the starter was changed! Now this has only happened since I had to bump start the car last month as the battery was flat (left an inside light on).

Any ideas what's causing it? I also have a dreaded P0238 code for the turbo (inside states anti pollution) this triggers without me even hoofing the car now! And the engine light stays on unless I reset the codes which doesn't do much good!

I can't afford a new car in truth I'm still bloody paying finance until June and it sounds like the car may end up in the knackers yard! (I'd rather not after paying for the car for 3 1/2 years)

I do a lot of miles about 2-250 per week, I change the oil every 7500-8000 miles and new filter, Cam belt done dec15 new air filter etc (basically looked after and parts bought when needed) I'm at a loss without this car!

Could anyone help?

Thanks Kate

Hi Katie,

Skell wrote:Any ideas what's causing it? I also have a dreaded P0238 code for the turbo (inside states anti pollution) this triggers without me even hoofing the car now! And the engine light stays on unless I reset the codes which doesn't do much good!

Interesting that you have

DPF: Yes

and the P0238.

If you have checked all the turbo hoses are secure, the intercooler doesn't have a hole in it, I would be tempted to regenerate the DPF manually. Its a bit of a long shot, but cheap and easy and rules out a partially blocked DPF.

Skell wrote:I do a lot of miles about 2-250 per week, I change the oil every 7500-8000 miles and new filter, Cam belt done dec15 new air filter etc (basically looked after and parts bought when needed) I'm at a loss without this car!

just to make me more or less confident, can you say is your 200-250 mile/week is motorway or all town driving or short stop start journeys like a local taxi?


The way to manually regenerate the DPF/FAP is to buy a can of the JLM DPF (click here) and follow the instructions on the can. At 200 miles a week it won't take long to see if the code clears.

It is better to do the regeneration sooner rather than later.

As for your starter noises, it does sound like the starter (still) but if not starter/solenoid, maybe its worth inspecting the flywheel.
Its difficult to diagnose sounds without hearing them, would it be possible to record a few clips and youtube them?

Skell wrote:the battery light on the dash flickers. I then have to turn the ignition off and then on again and the car fires up as if nothing is wrong!

Was it a brand new starter or a second hand one?