1.4 hdi 16v flashing battery and eco mode. Turns over, won't start

[eddy dar]

Hi,

I have a 2003 C3 1.4 hdi 16V with a flashing battery and the display shows ECO mode the battery is now fully charged but whilst the engine turns over it just wont start.

I think my problem relates to a flat battery which i tried to jump star of from another good battery, ive since fully charged the battery a fitted to the car.

Strange thing is that when I've tried to read fault codes with my delphi diagnostics it will not communicate with car. Normally I have no problems with delphi kit on this car.

I've checked the fuse box out in the engine bay and its all fine no blown fuses, no water ingress no burnt tracks (my background is electronics) my full time hobby is diesel injection system mainly commerical's. Engine turn's over fine Ive seen posts on here where people have chnaged starter fuse were is this.

I've tried the bsi reset procedure by GURU to no avail...Help

[Arfur Dent]

Hi eddy dar

I have a 2003 C3 1.4 hdi 16V with a flashing battery and the display shows ECO mode the battery is now fully charged but whilst the engine turns over it just wont start.

Ignore eco mode for now, it will clear when the engine is started.

Strange thing is that when I've tried to read fault codes with my delphi diagnostics it will not communicate with car. Normally I have no problems with delphi kit on this car.

No power to the diagnostics port, probably a blown fuse. There are 3 fuse boxes on your 2003, have a look at
this fusebox topic that shows the hidden maxi fuse box and instructions on accessing it.

Ive seen posts on here where people have chnaged starter fuse were is this.

I think they refer to a maxi fuse number 7 (see above) it supplies the ignition switch.

[eddy dar]

Hi,

Thanks for the fast response.

Just so we are all clear the ignition is coming on and the engine is turning.

[Arfur Dent]

Just so we are all clear the ignition is coming on and the engine is turning.

Thanks


If you have power the the ECUs (with the diagnostic socket not working, maybe not) and the engine turns, its either not turning quickly enough, or the fuel pressure is not high enough so starting is disabled.

I would get the diagnostics socket working first - check all the fuses. You can then diagnose further with the diag tool.

[eddy dar]

The car did have a problem with a fuel injector, which i changed so may try some easy start just to get the things going.

Not sure why I would lose comms to the diagnostics socket but if i've tried to jump start it with another battery a fuse could have popped diasabling the comms.

Strange thing is that the fuel light is showing empty but I put £10 diesel in, and it didn't move/show any difference.

The button/light on the kids door lock is on and wont let me switch if off.

[Arfur Dent]

Not sure why I would lose comms to the diagnostics socket but if i've tried to jump start it with another battery a fuse could have popped diasabling the comms.

Or the BSI or engine ECU is damaged. Jump starting from another car is not recommend, but I wouldn't expect another battery to be a problem.

Strange thing is that the fuel light is showing empty but I put £10 diesel in, and it didn't move/show any difference.

The button/light on the kids door lock is on and wont let me switch if off.

These are computer controlled, BSI is the one. hopefully that is not toast but it would explain non starting, child locks, fuel gauge, diagnostics socket. Looks like the BSI is supplied by some of those hidden maxi fuses

[eddy dar]

Hi,

Took the fuse box out in the engine bay last night and could not find the maxi fuses. My fuse box looks different top the one in the prior replies. See image attached. Any ideas as to where else they could be.

Also how the heck do you get the bsi unit out seems like its hinged but cant see how it would come out. There fuses on that unit but cant get it out to check them.

[Arfur Dent]

Any ideas as to where else they could be.

There are some instructions on how to access the maxi fuses in this topic.

No power to the diagnostics port, probably a blown fuse. There are 3 fuse boxes on your 2003, have a look atl which shows the hidden maxi fuse box and instructions on accessing it.

Also how the heck do you get the bsi unit out seems like its hinged but cant see how it would come out. There fuses on that unit but cant get it out to check them.

Rotate the white flag at the front of the fuse box, then from underneath on the left press in the ledge that the BSI sits on. This will allow it to hinge down.

[eddy dar]

Aagh I see the thread states that the maxi fuses are under the main fuse box.

Cant remember seeing anything under the fuse box i have. However the thread shows 2 types of fuse board

One has a what looks a hinge to the bottom on far side. And has a protruding square-ish socket.

The other (like mine) has a flush socket and when lifted out leaves a plastic base - I wonder if this can be taken out to reveal maxi fuses ?

[Arfur Dent]

The other (like mine) has a flush socket and when lifted out leaves a plastic base - I wonder if this can be taken out to reveal maxi fuses ?

I think the base is part of the fuse box, it should come away when you lift the fuse box out. If you can capture some more pictures of the bits that don't work (don't look the same as the pictures on the forum), this would be great.

Aagh I see the thread states that the maxi fuses are under the main fuse box.

Yes, the maxi fuses have their own fuse board which is attached to the main engine bay fuse box. Its hidden and is considered by Citroen to be a dealer job

One has a what looks a hinge to the bottom on far side. And has a protruding square-ish socket.

I think the topic is not clear enough? The topic describes all 3 fuse boxes found on the C3. The one in the glove box that hinges down (BSI), the one in the engine bay next to the battery (BSM) and the hidden maxi fuse one situated directly under the BSM (you need to remove the BSM to see the maxi fuses).

Cant remember seeing anything under the fuse box i have.

You need to look again. Your 2003 Diesel is the same as the other 2002-2006 Diesels, petrols and some other Citroen models when it comes to the engine bay fuse box