Citreon C3 Key Fob not working with new battery & no way to manually lock passenger doors

PoisonIvyBelle

I got a 2008 Citreon C3 recently and the key fob was working on and off if you pressed it very hard, but eventually it stopped. I got the battery replaced in an auto parts shop but the key fob still won't work. The massive immediate problem is I can't lock the car now as only the drivers door can be locked manually, the rest of the doors don't autolock and there isn't any way to look them from the inside.

I've looked online and it said to try resetting the fob by turning on the ignition whilst holding down the lock and then trying to lock it after, but this didn't work. My driving instructor has no clue either, he thought there would be some way to lock it inside, so I'm not sure what to do about it! If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears! Or if I'd need to take it to a garage, can anyone recommend anywhere South City Dublin or if it'll cost me a bomb? I'm completely new to driving so I'm clueless on this one and but having an unlocked car on the street in Dublin isn't ideal :/

smuggler.ie

Just a posibility - fault is not on key, but on centralized locking system on the car itself. Locking driver door manually should activate all doors - another indication to fault on the car itself

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423041#Comment_118423041

I thought this but I looked it up online and apparently that's not the case with this model, the driver door only locks itself when locked manually. The other doors can only be locked with the key fob.

smuggler.ie

Does your car has internal(from inside car) lock feature - does it work ?

Check simple things first - fuse

https://fuse-box.info/citroen/citroen-c3-2002-2008-fuses

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058226083/citreon-c3-key-fob-not-working-with-new-battery-no-way-to-manually-lock-passenger-doors

First things first. Try to figure out is it old key shell problem or PCB. I seen these key shells outside acceptable but inside the part what is designed to push the micro switch just worn out. There is 2 different type of shells, CE0523 and CE0536. Both PCB is possible to test if case is opened, just CE0536 is bit harder. It need the back side of key shell because battery locates there. Anyway you can test both by opened key shell. Clean PCB by IPA. Look closer the micro switches and test.

I recently soldered 2 micro switches, these was completely damaged

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423142#Comment_118423142

No inside lock on it. I literally don't know anything about cars, but I'll try figure how how to check the fuse in the morning!

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423147#Comment_118423147

the key shell is definitely old, it also snapped off on me when I was driving today in the actual ignition - went back on, but it's obviously worn on the outside so I guess the inside is too. I've no clue how to test it, would a regular auto parts place be able to do it or this one maybe? https://www.autokey.ie/our-locations/car-keys-repairs-dublin/ ?

Start from new key shell and PCB testing. It should not snap off, because it can damage the PCB. Do it ASAP if it is your only key, because all keys lost is very expensive. Any automotive locksmith can test the key and car.

standardg60

Lots online about it OP. Seemingly you can do it by opening the drivers window then from outside the car press the lock button on the dash, then press the close window button and remove the key from the ignition before the window closes. Strange cars!

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423586#Comment_118423586

No lock button.

smuggler.ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423586#Comment_118423586

Good recipe to lock key inside the car 😏

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423345#Comment_118423345

Ok, thanks a mil for this, I was working on zero intel! I have another key but it only opens and locks the driver's door. I'll try a Citroen dealer tomorrow and see if they can do it.

Very interesting. These keys have transponder and remote all on single PCB. It means, if one functionality is allowed then all must be allowed. Corrosion, bad solder joint, PCB crack(s) or even missing parts can cause something like that. Smartphone repair shops could check it, but they typically do not want to deal by that type of things. Try DIY first on that "another key". Open gently the key shell (do not push anything too deeply inside for praying, only edges) and inspect the PSB (board where components locating). If possible make a high res pictures and share to us. Do not rush or make anything stupid. Do not touch the currently working key, what can start the engine. This is very important because if all keys is lost or non operational then you may expect high all keys lost fee.

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118424966#Comment_118424966

The other key is just a key, doesn't have a button to open the car, you have to manually open it in the lock in the driver's door. The key fob also has a key that opens that lock, if that makes sense! I'll take some photos now for sure. I rang a Citreon place but they said they've to call me back.

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118424966#Comment_118424966

Ok, so the key shell also broke off the key when I was driving yesterday and the instructor stuck it back on, but now that I opened the shell the key just fell out. So I guess that's broke too now.

This is outside and inside the shell:

Also. I found a little "key" space in the side of the door (the part you only see when it's open) and there's an imprint of a kid and a lock there with directions to rotate it, so that must close those doors manually, but it's like a little slot rather than a key opening and I don't have any keys for it. Then I'm thinking the other prob is that wouldn't lock the boot.

UPDATE: I found online that I can try turning that key in the side door with a screwdriver, saw it here on a youtube - different model but same child lock. My only problem then is the boot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-kto_0EdO8

smuggler.ie

Also. I found a little "key" space in the side of the door (the part you only see when it's open) and there's an imprint of a kid and a lock there with directions to rotate it, so that must close those doors manually, but it's like a little slot rather than a key opening and I don't have any keys for it. Then I'm thinking the other prob is that wouldn't lock the boot.

Prevents door opening from inside, child safety feature. Door still opens from outside

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427094#Comment_118427094

Bugger, there goes that bright idea!

PoisonIvyBelle

I was talking to the Citreon dealer and he seemed to think the key should always lock all the doors when I lock the driver door, I said it never did even when the fob worked, so he said the problem could be with the car instead. He's booked up so I'd have to drive it out to Tallaght which isn't ideal because I'm still doing my EDT and not very confident in driving out there. But I'll see if there's anywhere else. He said it would be about 150 for a key but more if there is an issue with the car.

The battery contacts on board is dark (2 pads on board with dark stripes). Also clean the opposite side battery connectors by IPA.

We need to see other side PCB too. Plastic tab hold it, side cutters and it does not hold anymore.

PoisonIvyBelle

Update, rang another place and they told me it could cost more than the car to get the key thing sorted. he told me to go back to the auto parts place and bring the car and tell them the new battery didn't work, to see if it's a problem with the battery before I do anything.

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427733#Comment_118427733

what do you mean by the last sentence?

The factory melted that tab to hold the PCB firmly on place.

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118428272#Comment_118428272

Ok I'm going to fcuk it up if I start messing about with it to be honest. I'll try get it brought up to the auto parts place and see what they say. They said on the phone they can test the battery and then if it isn't working they can recommend a non dealer place for me to fix it that would be cheaper.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118428235#Comment_118428235

You can change many times as you want the remote battery, if contacts is not cleaned there is no point. I typically do not ask anything to test the keys only.

PoisonIvyBelle

Went to the autoparts place now and battery is giving out a signal when you press the button so they recommended a car key servicing place, so called them and they said they can sort it out if it's the key or the connection to the car and will be only around 50e depending. I don't think I can get it out there til Sat as need someone to drive out with me but fingers crossed this sorts it!

PoisonIvyBelle

Update - got it fixed for 50e! Thanks everyone :)

smuggler.ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118434720#Comment_118434720

And what was the cause/issue?

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118435177#Comment_118435177

I don't really know, I just explained the problem, gave them the key, came back in 40 min they gave me a new one that worked!

50 euro for new key shell...

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118437654#Comment_118437654

Sarcasm? The key wasn't working. They fixed it. Citreon dealers were quoting me minimum 200. The guys in the auto parts shop called this place for me instead.

I was happy to pay 50 to get it fixed in 40 min. :)

...and you do not know what they exactly fixed there...

I told to you, the rubber pads can wear and it can not register anymore your action. Because you did not remove the PCB from key shell, you do not know the real answer. Sure, the evidence is still there. I do not recommend to open the key shell for that purpose, leave it. Job done, lesson learned

PoisonIvyBelle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118439687#Comment_118439687

Ah relax a wee bit. I wanted to get it fixed. I didn't know how to do what you were talking about and was happy to pay someone just to get it fixed handily. No lesson to be learned at all. I wanted it working ASAP and that's what I got.