ignition switch problem? (starter stays engaged)

hi guys
got a 2005 1.4 desire that when it starts the starter says engaged! if i turn off and remove the key, the car keeps trying to start as if i was turning the key. local garage said starter motor problem, so i duly changed starter (£25 from local breakers). which was great for 2 days.
then got in the car and turn ignition on, light on dash came on and nothing happened when trying to start. took key out and reinserted it only for all the lights on dash to disappear altogether!
called the AA and they found that the main ignition fuse had blown (bugger of a job to get to as under bonnet fuse box had to be removed as the fuse was underneath and not accessible) replaced the fuse, and we had ignition light. but on starting the car we had the original fault of the car starting with starter in mesh (awful noise lol) and again wen removing the key car still trying to start by itself.
AA guy stays that it the ignition switch that's faulty.

is this a job i can do myself?
any tutorials as to replacement?
all help gratefully received

thanks in advance

Welcome gmx

the AA and they found that the main ignition fuse had blown (bugger of a job to get to as under bonnet fuse box had to be removed as the fuse was underneath and not accessible)

Ah, yes. the maxi fuses -
and
Power to ignition lost

is this a job i can do myself?

If you managed the maxi fuses, then you should be able to do the ignition switch, you will need to drill out the security screw though.

The site doesn't have a guide at the moment, and you are welcome to document your removal with words and if possible, pictures too for inclusion on the Citroen C3 owners tips section of the site

I find the C3 Haynes Manual (here) an invaluable resource for working on the car and heartily recommend it

hmmm the security screw, i take it thats the silver sort of domed headed thing situated underneath inside the black plastic collar? circled in pic.
does this have to be complete drilled out? or can u drill pilot hole and use a stud extraction tool?
will be 1st ever attempt at anything like this?

does this have to be complete drilled out? or can u drill pilot hole and use a stud extraction tool?

Centre punch, pilot drill, then stud extractor would be good way.




A centre punch


You may find Citroen make changes to the way the cars are built over the years, so you will be 'playing it by ear' up to a point.

This is a (rather small) picture of the security screw before its been fitted - see the torx head that gets snapped off when the thread is nice and tight. This makes it a 'one-way' fit and very difficult to remove for security.

These shear security bolts, are they only available from main dealers? Can just use a normal bolt to replace them?

ok guys got it off i have a replacement unit to put on.
can i actualy remove the key barrel from my unit and put it in the replacment unit? i cant see a way to do it, but hoping u guys no a way

just changed the unit i bought as replacemnet, car started and i have the same issues as before. car starts but the starter motor runs engaged. turn engine off and remove key, but the car is turning over and over as if trying to start. have to remove battery connector to stop!
1, local garage said it was a starter motor fault, so replaced starter.
2, AA said it was ignition switch, so i replaced the ignition barrel. complete with wiring loom etc as in the picture.
now i dont know a lot about cars, so what i have replaced with the ignition barrel i assumed that the ignition switch was part of this. is this correct? if it is then thats eliminates that as a cause. so guys what else can it be? getting desperate now lol

Hi gmx, well done on getting the ignition switch changed.

so what i have replaced with the ignition barrel i assumed that the ignition switch was part of this. is this correct? if it is then thats eliminates that as a cause.

Yes, barrel and switch are the unit you have changed.

1, local garage said it was a starter motor fault, so replaced starter.
2, AA said it was ignition switch, so i replaced the ignition barrel. complete with wiring loom etc as in the picture.

Starter motor and the ignition switch are both good guesses without doing any testing as together they cover 90% of the starting of the car. (The turning it over bit)

There is very little left to check/change.

The starting system is very simple, the battery feeds the starter directly and the ignition switch via a maxi fuse. Turning the key applies battery power to the solenoid which comes in and engages the mechanical starter and completes the circuit to power up the starter motor.

The wiring passes through the engine bay fuse box, this could be where the problem lies, with a burnt out and shorted cable/wiring. I would remove the engine bay fuse box and inspect it internally (as much as you can) and inspect the wiring to and from it - the 16 way grey connector (red wire) and the 2 way black connector (purple wire).

Maybe get the multimeter out and check for a short to battery +ve on the wires I mentioned above? - you will need to disconnect the battery to do this.

this post has some information on getting the engine bay fuse box out

C3CAR wrote: The wiring passes through the engine bay fuse box, this could be where the problem lies, with a burnt out and shorted cable/wiring. I would remove the engine bay fuse box and inspect it internally (as much as you can) and inspect the wiring to and from it - the 16 way grey connector (red wire) and the 2 way black connector (purple wire).

Maybe get the multimeter out and check for a short to battery +ve on the wires I mentioned above? - you will need to disconnect the battery to do this.

thanks for the response and tips. will give it a go, but never used a multimeter before and not sure what to do
i can get my hands on a multimeter, but any advice on what to do would be great

This is a (rather small) picture of the security screw before its been fitted - see the torx head that gets snapped off when the thread is nice and tight.

Same design as the injector clamp bolts then, only they do it when you untighten them!!!!!