frankoprifti wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 7:25 pm
I have a

citroen c3 2003 1.1 petrol and have noticed a strange problem with my car.
Sometimes for example while waiting inside a car for a while the car wont start with the first try. It cranks but it doesnt start. Sometimes it starts after the first try but rarely it doesn't start if i dont open and close the door just physically open and close no lock or unlock.
I have noticed that this happens exactly after you wait to hear a relay sound in around 2 minutes. After that relay sound everything inside the car turns off, like car radio for example.
I consulted with a mechanic and he told me that it might be the fuses and relay ecu under the steering wheel. Do you think that can be the problem or can it be something else?
Once the ignition is turned to the 'off'/lock position, the electronics do some "house keeping" for 60 seconds and then start shutting stuff down to conserve the battery. The dash display will remain on for 10 seconds but then go out. The click you hear is the system shutting down at 60 seconds. If you open the door or turn the ignition on, this
should wake the system up.
Am I right in saying that the car engine
will start before you hear the relay click, but it won't start
after the relay clicks?
The BSM (the fuse box in the engine bay) provides power to the engine ECU, so that
cant be discounted as a potential problem either.
Frankly, replacing the BSI is not an option, as the cost is not worth the benefit. You have a work-around that seems to be working for you.
frankoprifti wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 7:25 pm
After that relay sound everything inside the car turns off, like car radio for example.
For the radio to be playing the ignition has to be on/accessories? Is it an aftermarket radio? With the ignition on/accessories, the system
should run for 30 minutes before shutting down. With the ignition off, the system shuts down in 60 seconds but the radio should turn off when the ignition is turned off. So how is your radio running with the ignition switched off? Or are you saying something else?
So your car's system 'wakes up' when you open the doors but not if you use the ignition? There shouldn't be a difference. Hmm saying 'the system wakes up' is a bit of a misnomer. Maybe I should say the engine wakes up? The dash lights up when you turn the ignition to 'on' after the system has shut down?
Is it only the engine that doesn't start? Anything else not working?