2006 C3 had intermittent start problems - now immobilises

steviemac1960 · Post Mon Jan 30, 2017 4:22 pm

The car had intermittent starting problems for a couple of weeks. Had battery checked and was ok. Garage said the problem was with starter motor so they fitted a reconditioned replacement and everything was fine for 3-4 days.

Car then began to show original problem. Not surprising really - I don't think the starter motor was ever at fault.

It just keeps turning over but will not start.

ECO MODE was displayed and occasionally, though not always, a flashing battery warning light.

I put the drivers electric window down so it was easy to reach in and turn the ignition key while doing diagnostics.

And now the drivers window will not go up at all so the car is unsecured.

I've tried the BSI reset below but to no avail.

1. Put the drivers window down and lift the bonnet (leave the key in the ignition)
2. Ensure all equipment (stereo etc) is switched off.
3. Ensure all doors are closed and reach through the window to remove the key from the ignition.
4. Wait 3 minutes.
5. Disconnect the battery and then wait 15 seconds.

My priority is to get the drivers window secure. Central locking is still working fine.

I'm suspecting a BSI fault so any recommendations to diagnose that would be great and also any recommendations for a reliable company to repair/exchange/replace this would also be great. I believe it's coded so I'd need to return mine as an exchange.

Any help really would be appreciated.

Cheers
Steven

Arfur Dent · Post Mon Jan 30, 2017 6:08 pm

Hi Steven,

steviemac1960 wrote:It just keeps turning over but will not start.

This can be caused by the key. There is a transponder than get dislodged in some of the keys and you get immobiliser faults, do you have a second key?

steviemac1960 wrote:ECO MODE was displayed and occasionally, though not always, a flashing battery warning light.

You get this while diagnosing, ignition 'on' but not starting the engine will give you this. Its not a fault and can be ignored for now.

steviemac1960 wrote:And now the drivers window will not go up at all so the car is unsecured.

Have you checked the fuses in the hidden maxi fuse - fusebox? These can stop windows and the starting.

The maxi fuse box can be found in this topic - here

steviemac1960 wrote:I'm suspecting a BSI fault so any recommendations to diagnose that would be great and also any recommendations for a reliable company to repair/exchange/replace this would also be great.

Check the maxi fuses and the BSM (engine bay) fuses while you are there.

steviemac1960 wrote:I believe it's coded so I'd need to return mine as an exchange.

Yes and no. But go for the easy stuff first.

steviemac1960 · Post Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:02 pm

Thanks for the help Arfur Dent

We do have 2 keys and same outcome with both. That's not to say they cannot both be faulty so I'll check them again.

I haven't checked the MAXI fuses but will definitely do that.

Cheers
Stevie

steviemac1960 · Post Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:16 pm

The following, slightly different BSI Reset routine helped me get my window working again.

After that - pressing the lock button on the ignition key while in the ignition seems to waken up a sleepy BSI.

Now all I need to do is find out how to resolve the "sleepy BSI" issue

1. Put the driver's window down, lift the bonnet and ensure all equipment is switched off.

2. Ensure all doors are closed and remove key from the ignition.

3. Wait for 3 minutes, disconnect the vehicle battery and wait 15 seconds.

4. Reconnect the vehicle battery, wait a further 10 seconds (do not open doors.).

5. Switch on the side lights through the driver's window.

6. Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality.

7. Hold lock button on key down for 10 seconds.

8. Remove key open & close door test central locking system.

9. Start the engine and complete the system's check.

C3driver52 · Post Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:36 pm

UPDATE:
I disconnected the battery then removed the under-bonnet fuse box and checked all fuses including the MAXI fuses underneath. I also disconnected/re-connected all connectors several times to try to clean up any didgy connections. I did the same with the 3 connectors to theleft of the battery and the 2 to the rear and then re-assembled everything.

I then followed this BSI Reset procedure and the electric window then worked and the engine started.

1. Put the driver's window down, lift the bonnet and ensure all equipment is switched off.

2. Ensure all doors are closed and remove key from the ignition.

3. Wait for 3 minutes, disconnect the vehicle battery and wait 15 seconds.

4. Reconnect the vehicle battery, wait a further 10 seconds (do not open doors.).

5. Switch on the side lights through the driver's window.

6. Switch on the ignition and check system's functionality.

7. Hold lock button on key down for 10 seconds.

8. Remove key open & close door test central locking system.

9. Start the engine and complete the system's check.

The initial fault returned a few minutes later where the engine would turn over but would not start so ...

I inserted the ignition key, turned on the ignition, held the lock button down for 10 secs then started the engine, successfully.

So it seems now at least have a workaround and hopefully this will also work for others.

NOW, does anyone know why this "lock key reset" trick is working?

Is the BSI following asleep for some reason?

If I can resolve this then the problem is resolved completely.

Do you have the original radio/cd fitted?

steviemac1960 · Post Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:37 am

Yes I do.

C3driver52 · Post Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:15 pm

steviemac1960 wrote:Yes I do.

Oh well. Its not the usual aftermarket radio problem then. An incorrectly installed aftermarket radio can make the BSI go into a deep sleep.

steviemac1960 · Post Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:37 pm

Update:

I sent the BSI, ECU and 2 keys to a guy in Wales.

He took weeks to fix it as he has a lot of these faulty units coming in but fix it he did.

The BSI needed reflashed.

Transponder in one of the keys was also faulty so he replaced that. Unfortunately for me he only had one so could not replace and reflash second key.

When I put it all back together - I can do this in the dark in about 15 mins ha ha - it started first tome. I did NOT even have to go through the BSI reset procedure!

The only downside and it's a pretty significant one - is that the central locking does not work via the key in the door OR remote.

The batteries are brand new.

The dashboard central locking does work so at least all the electrical and mechanical parts in the doors are doing what they should.

I know how to secure the car so I do not need any further advice on that.

I am told by the guy who repaired it that it has nothing to do with the BSI but more to do with the communications between the key and the unit in the steering column.

I have tried the key reset procedure but to no avail.

I am currently trying to sell the car but having to knock of nearly £200 for this and yet I think it's probably a relatively straighforward fix. Very very frustrating.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

My own suspicion is the repair guy has possibly damaged something in the key fob while fixing the more serious problem, sadly.

Steven

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