Starting Problem (turn the key and press the accelerator)

Hello I have a 2008 citroen c3 1.1 Vibe 8v 5 speed manual.

I have trouble starting the car. Sometimes it starts fine and then sometimes it dosnt. What's happening is that you have to hold the key in the on position to keep it cranking for about 3 - 5 seconds before it starts or the other way to get it started is to turn the key and press the accelerator and it starts straight away.

But if I unplug the MAP sensor and try starting the car it starts first time every time no problem and also if I unplug the throttle body it starts first time every time no problem.

Has anyone got any ideas thanks

Hello LukeC3

Pressing the accelerator and starting thr engine sounds like the way forward. It's not uncommon to hear this and it is a long term solution.

Disconnecting the MAF and producing a favourable response may indicate a problem with the MAF. They can be cleaned or replaced.

Arfur Dent wrote: ↑Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:34 am Hello LukeC3

Pressing the accelerator and starting thr engine sounds like the way forward. It's not uncommon to hear this and it is a long term solution.

Disconnecting the MAF and producing a favourable response may indicate a problem with the MAF. They can be cleaned or replaced.

I wasn't unplugging the MAF sensor I was unplugging the MAP sensor

LukeC3 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 08, 2018 9:49 am I wasn't unplugging the MAF sensor I was unplugging the MAP sensor

Sorry,

Unplugging MAP, MAF, and various sensors puts the ECU into degraded default mode. This can run better in some situations than with a faulty sensor.

You could check for error codes with a cheap OBD2 reader.

Arfur Dent wrote: ↑Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:19 pm

LukeC3 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 08, 2018 9:49 am I wasn't unplugging the MAF sensor I was unplugging the MAP sensor

Sorry,

Unplugging MAP, MAF, and various sensors puts the ECU into degraded default mode. This can run better in some situations than with a faulty sensor.

You could check for error codes with a cheap OBD2 reader.

Alright mate I have a diagnostic laptop and no fault codes are stored or pending

LukeC3 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 08, 2018 9:01 pm Alright mate I have a diagnostic laptop and no fault codes are stored or pending

The problem has come up on the forum before, but the only solution was the one you are using, which is to give it some accelerator to start.

Have you checked for air leaks. Using the gas pedal can pull air past any air leak.