management light flashing, screen reads antipollution faulty, car keeps cutting out

DK47

hi all. i have a 2005 1.4 Citroen c4. the engine management light is on and the screen reads antipollution faulty. the car just cuts out, some times it starts straight away other times it doesn't. i have been to the main dealer, they have tried to fix it 3 times. first time they said it was the coil pack, took the car home same proublem, second attempt at fixing, garage said it was spark plugs, took car home, same proublem, third attempt the said it was software proublem this hasn't fixed it. now the engine managment light is flashing and the car has no power and seems to be misfiring, i think the car is in limp mode. the garage say the coil and spark plugs needed to be done and have refused a refund. what should i do, anyone have any idea what the proublem could be, can anyone recomend some one who can fix the proublem as every garage says they dont have the computer to dignose the proublem, iam in kerry. any help is aperecated.

ismynametoolong

The MIL ( Malfunction indicator light ) is flashing because the ECM has detected a missfire . Its designed to flash when a missfire is detected to alert the driver to switch off the engine. Cats do not like raw unburnt fuel which is what they get when there is a continious missfire and if you continue driving and burn out the cat you will have an even more expensive repair.

It really is shocking how many garages including main dealers do not know how to diagnose emission problems.There are so many things or possibilities that are causing your problem but try and find somebody competent who will start at the begining with the basics, so many people jump in at the deep end with the lap top which by the way is not enough on its own because without a competent operator all you get is computer says no.

I would recommend getting somebody to check the mechanicals such as static belt timing ,carry out a compression test , fuel pressure test etc.DTCs for missfire can be difficult to resolve but you need to establish that your engine and fuel system are ok before replacing expensive sensors etc. Also most emission based problems will only turn on the MIL after the system has performed a number of self tests known as drive cycles so it is possible for a dealer to hand you back your car with the MIL off only for it to turn on again in a number of days and then try to claim it as a different problem .

mike65

All of the above, I've been googling and this is a definite issue with PSA group cars, trouble is the causes appear many and varied from low grade fuel to MAF sensor to air-pump.

DK47

ismynametoolong wrote: »

The MIL ( Malfunction indicator light ) is flashing because the ECM has detected a missfire . Its designed to flash when a missfire is detected to alert the driver to switch off the engine. Cats do not like raw unburnt fuel which is what they get when there is a continious missfire and if you continue driving and burn out the cat you will have an even more expensive repair. It really is shocking how many garages including main dealers do not know how to diagnose emission problems.There are so many thing or possibilities that are causing your problem but try and find somebody competent who will start at the begining with the basics, so many people jump in at the deep end with the lap top which by the way is not enough on its own because without a competent operator all you get is computer says no. I would recommend getting somebody to check the mechanicals such as static belt timing ,carry out a compression test , fuel pressure test etc.

cheers for that, it might be wort mentioning that the timing belt slipped last july, hope this is'nt related. is it advisable not to drive it with a missfire?

DK47

mike65 wrote: »

All of the above, I've been googling and this is a definite issue with PSA group cars, trouble is the causes appear many and varied from low grade fuel to MAF sensor to air-pump.

the main dealer said that it could be an electrical proublem, a nipped wire or some thing, is that a possibility

mike65

Timing belt slipped? well that would mean the ignition timing is not bang on, thats another potential cause. Did you have the problem before the slippage?

ismynametoolong

You need to get them to check and confirm the bascics are ok first . Anything is possible I had a missfire problem that took 3 full days to sort out turned out to be a wire shorting as a result of an alarm installation.

DK47

mike65 wrote: »

Timing belt slipped? well that would mean the ignition timing is not bang on, thats another potential cause. Did you have the problem before the slippage?

no not at all, was for service in june 08 slipped in july 08 no warning

Dartz

Paragraphs, anyone?

Mr Benevolent

no not at all, was for service in june 08 slipped in july 08 no warning

There's your problem so. Get the timing belt refitted.

ismynametoolong

Dartz wrote: »

Paragraphs, anyone?

Is that ok !

DK47

Confab wrote: »

There's your problem so. Get the timing belt refitted.

your right, just got it sorted :):):)