Citroen C3 Internal Alarm problem. Help/Advice required.

jediknight49

Hi All,

My wife has a Citroen C3, 54 plate.

Over the last few months, every now and again, she will have an loud beeping noise go off continually inside the car (she does not have a alarm system fitted). It can last between 15-30 mins. This happen whilst driving or stationary. Engine running or switched off. Car locked or unlocked.

The dashboard will not light up with any logos, the radio refuses to switch off, and a message that says LEF or RIG appears on the display.

Took it into the main dealer, but as usual, they can not find anything wrong. They want her to take it to them the moment it happens again!
Thats ok, but if she is in Nottingham and has to travel back to Leicester to get it looked at, then she's got no hope.

Has anyone else had this problem with their C3? Anyone know what it could be?

I think it's an electrical fault, and it could be related to the door, especially with it saying LEF and RIG, but not being techno where cars are concerned, so thought i'd ask on here.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Lil306

Without knowing about the C3 errors

Is there any chance you can take it to an independant garage with an ECU Fault Reader, it will cost about £25-40 to get the ECU Fault Codes read and any errors you have will immediately be pointed out

I know my Volkswagen it's possible to obtain certain fault codes with the radio but any electrical ones normally are placed in the ECU. It could be any type of sensor (brakes, crash, door, lock) there is a lot on a car

Daft question, but you ever get problems with the locks popping up and down ?

Peugeots / Citroens used to have this problem because the wiring loom was in the door itself and when they were constantly opened the wires eventually broke which did weird things like electrics not working, alarms going off, lights flashing and locks not opening or closing properly.

I'd highly recommend getting your fault codes read. If there was a fault you may be able to claim getting this fixed by the garage you bought it from as compensation

Quietmanc

I would agree that this is to do with doors.Does the courtesy light come on at the same time? Could be as simple as the courtesy light switch gone intermittent,which makes the car think the door is open.However,having fault codes read is the safest way to go(unfortunately!)

somech

speed limiter alarm? (check the handbook for instructions)

jediknight49

The dealership claim to have read the ECU and found no faults. Personally, i don't believe them. We have a warranty which we paid for as the car was used when my wife bought it just over 12 mths ago, so if we can get it fixed free, then i'd sooner do that then pay out for the readings from an Indt garage. Having said that, the trouble we have had with the dealership, i may just go elswhere.:mad:

The noise being made is the same sound as the speed limiter alarm, but it is definately not that which is at fault.

I can't remeber if the interior light is on or off whilst the fault occurs.

I think i will see about getting the ECU readings and take it from there.

Cheers so far for the words of advice

somech

the ecu will contain p codes for any fault stored ie p1024 and so on.
if no codes are stored then no p codes will be displayed. if its not a speed warning double check intrerior light boot light and so forth as could be a dodgy door/boot switch

Bongedone

I had something similar happen once to my C3. I had to take the battery off to make it stop. When I reconnected the problem vanished and has not happened again yet. I did not get that message though.

I read something about the ignition wiring on Google but who knows!

Will be interesting to find out what it was.