£900 bill on an 05 plate Citroen C3

soolin

I have had my Citroen C3 from new on an 05 plate at around 30,000 miles. All fully serviced and mOT at Citroen main dealers

Last weekend my engine warning light came on and the car went into the garage today to see what is going on.

I just had a call to say that repairs would be almost £900 as I need a new motorised throttle body and a new engine harness. I've told them i'll colelct the car but will have a think about the work as I can't believe a low mileage car maintained by Citroen could have so much go wrong so suddenly. The car incidentally is running perfectly.

I've had a look online and there appears to be a number of people experiencing problems with the engine warning light on an 05 plate, and there ar evarious different reasons given as to what has happened.

Does thei explanation seem likely and also is it worth me going to another garage, there is a Kwik Fit service centre a mile or so away for a second opinion?

I have asked them to talk to Citroen meanwhile as this all seems a bit odd.

fivetide

Its six years old, it happens.

The parts might be cheaper elsewhere though and if not, the labour could be if you have sent it to a main dealer.

Don't send it to Kwick Fit, this really isn't their bag.

5t.

soolin

I'm not good with cars at all but if my motorised throttle body is past it the online forums seem to suggest that would mean I couldn't get high revs out of my car, and I could.

shaun_from_Africa

I just had a call to say that repairs would be almost £900 as I need a new motorised throttle body and a new engine harness.

I find it very hard to believe that both the throttle body and the engine harness have both failed at exactly the same time.
One or other of the items will be causing the problem, so you should ask the garage which one caused the engine light to come on.

It might also be worth contacting Citroen directly, explaining that you don't think that such a low mileage,car with full dealer service history should have such a major problem, and ask if they would be willing to make a contribution to the repair costs.
It does occasionally work, and the worst that could happen is that they refuse.

fivetide

Go for a second opinion by all means, dealers are not always superb despite the blurb.

I'd be wary about giving it too much grief as the car clearly thinks it does have a problem.

Have a read about resetting it. On my last car the light would come on if the car had been stood a while. 3 clear runs from cold would have the car cancel it as it would decide it had paniced unnecessarily.

Sounds liek the car is saying "i have a fault" but hasn't gone into an sort of limp mode as yet.

5t.

soolin

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I find it very hard to believe that both the throttle body and the engine harness have both failed at exactly the same time.
One or other of the items will be causing the problem, so you should ask the garage which one caused the engine light to come on.

I'm going back to the garage now and am actually feeling quite nervous. I am going to take them some of the things i have printed out about a fake warning alert on this particular model, a note to ask them why my car revs well if all this is broken and now i'll ask them iis it one or the other fault.

I don't particularly trust this main dealer, twice now on my other Citroens they have assured me i have borderline illegal tyres and they can whip them off and change them for me. I've declined, gone to Kwik fit who have told me on both occassions they would be taking my money under false pretences as the treads were absolutely fine and had a good year or so wear in them before we got anywhere near borderline.

liam8282

If you can get it to a garage with a fault code reader, or if you are a member of the AA they might possibly be able to arrange to do it for you, get the fault codes read yourself and see what the problem with your car is.

You will need to do a search for fault code readers near you, but I know in Leeds you can get a fault code read for about £20.

BM-AK

I'd go for a second opinion and ideally an independant, reputable garage.

From what I've experienced with car dealers, they seem to overhaul everything than replace just the part at fault. This may be as they probably do warranty work more and therefore cost is not a major issue as they claim it back from the manufacterer.

I've once had my car in due to a smell of Diesel coming into the cabin. They replaced the high pressure fuel line and pipes (later found it only needed one high pressure fuel line pipe only). £30 part required, costed me £500 for majority of unneccesary parts.

harveybobbles

It's not often I see Soolin posting in here...

Anyway, I'd be taking the car to another garage. One perhaps that does electrical diagnosis, rather than a main dealer.

To suggest replacing both parts is just their way of covering their own !!!!!!.

Avoid places like Kwik Fit though!

Strider590

Go to quick fit and it'll need tyre's, brakes, shocks and an exhaust... Do NOT go there.

fivetide

AA is a good call. If you have home start they might be able to plug in their laptop and see what it says (tell them you are scared to drive it).

That way you can wait in with a brew for it.

I would also look at the boy racer forums. Seriously there are lots of Citroens out there and while they are popular with the kids, they will also take them to garages that know what they are looking at for fault codes etc. someone might have already recommended one near you.

5t.