Throttle problem?

Hello
Just bought a C3 and although the car is at the mechanics I want to share the issue. (If the mechanic reads this, I have no issue with your work)

Problem: At 1st the power seemed to fluctuate. Struggling up small hills etc. Just thought the car was under powered.
Then once or twice the throttle seemed to stop responding and in 1st you could only get up to 7mph but could be corrected by restarting the car.

The day I was going to book it at the mechanics it totally gave up. By starting in 1st and going up to 5th I managed to nurse it to the mechanics at 30mph. Luckily traffic that day was almost gridlock anyway.

They swapped the peddle assembly out. On driving home, about 9 miles in it cut out again. This time on starting it was either revving at 4000rpm or the same as before. Managed to nurse it back to mechanic.

They said the previous owner/mechanic had cut the wiring loom and put in connectors. wires didnt 100% match in colour so possibly a peddle from another model had been fitted.

Then they took out the connectors and soldered it in place. Drove it home (20miles) Only issue was that it seemed slightly under powered.
Drove it to work today and it stalled everytime I stopped for 1st mile (thought it was me being stupid) Then at 5/6 miles it cut out and wouldn't go over 7 mph again. Restarted and it reset it for half a mile. restarted again and then drove for 15miles, though seem under powered again.

I doubt it is connected but the weather this morning was freezing. and generally damp in the last month.

When I dropped it off at the mechanic today he suggested that the onboard computer may be learning to some degree? I don't really know what that means though I have left the car with him today. i think they may consider getting 'new' wiring from a donor car.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks Nathan.

If it was mine I'd find a garage that can read Citroen error codes properly. With a problem like this I'd be very surprised if there wasn't at least one error code stored.

There may be a degree of 'learning' in the engine ECU but its likely to be very minimal and nothing that would cause the behaviour you describe.

With the information from the codes at least you'll know where you need to look to sort it out.

I'd also think about contacting a Citroen parts department to get the part number of the throttle pedal that your car should have fitted. I get very nervous when wiring has been cut and doesn't appear to match.

The current garage have ordered an original peddle so that shouldn't be an issue.
The Engine management light doesn't come on so would an error code be recorded?
I don't know if its connected or whether it happens to all C3s. On starting there is 3 short beeps. Is that relevant?

If nothing gets sorted soon I guess I will have to consider going to citroen. Though I'd rather not.
The current garage seem pretty upset with the cut wiring too..

C3caruser wrote:The current garage have ordered an original peddle so that shouldn't be an issue.

Sounds like a very good idea.

C3caruser wrote:The Engine management light doesn't come on so would an error code be recorded?
I don't know if its connected or whether it happens to all C3s. On starting there is 3 short beeps. Is that relevant?

I'd say the beeps are very connected. I'd be surprised if the engine management light isn't or rather should be on but you can't see it because its been disabled or covered up.

C3caruser wrote:If nothing gets sorted soon I guess I will have to consider going to citroen. Though I'd rather not.

You don't have to go to a dealership, there are independents and also auto electricians who specialise in Citroen. There are also a few people about with the necessary kit to read and reset codes - where abouts are you?

Brackley, Northamptonshire / Bicester Oxon.

Cheers

Update (partly for myself): So I picked it up yesterday and the mechanic said it requires a full service. He said he tested it all day, no issues.
Started the drive home, everything was perfect. 10miles later I'm at traffic lights. The car revs to 4000 and then back to normal tick over. Then when I pull away it is lacking power again. Can barely get to sixty on the flats.

This morning on the way back to the mechanic (I work on the same trading estate) It stops responding again. Can only drive on tick over. On restarting It was either no power or 4000 rpm. Managed to nurse it back. For some if the time there is no issue but then cuts out again.

After a bad trip home, I decided it wasn't safe to be driving down dual carriage way, turns out there was a Citroen/Peugeot specialist across the road from me.

They've had in today and believe one of the wires had split somewhere along the line, that was causing resistance when there shouldn't be. Certainly sounds like why it has been so inconsistent. Just rang them and they believe it is sorted.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the update.

C3caruser wrote: They've had in today and believe one of the wires had split somewhere along the line, that was causing resistance when there shouldn't be.

My money would be on the LHD to RHD conversion plug for the throttle in the passenger footwell area.

Sorted. I had a completely incident free journey for 20 miles.

Apparently they identified a wire that had resistance, that shouldn't. Caused by a split. Apparently when they wiggle the wire it was on/off etc.
They tried to isolate it but failed. In the end they said they had to strip the car down and just replaced the entire line.

Although it has cost me, i am so relieved they sorted it. In one day.

Great news. May you have many miles of trouble free motoring