Citroen Picasso hassles

[Billyblah]

A puzzler for any mechanics out there and particularly Fulledge Claret who I seem to recall unravelling the mysteries of French engineering for another Picasso owner quite recently!

Eleven year old Picasso 1.6 petrol with 125k on the clock. It was approaching its annual service when I experienced the engine cutting out at very low speed.
Anyway, full service undertaken. Diagnostics threw up a couple of minor problems which were tweaked....but its still cutting out.
It's happening appox only once every two hundred miles.
I'm approaching traffic lights, zebra crossing or last instance, driving slowly through a car park. I disengage the clutch to move up or down, 1st /2nd gear. The engine light comes up on the dashboard and the engine cuts out. It starts up immediately I turn the ignition.
Anyone got any thoughts?

[Sidney1st]

Idle control valve, throttle position sensor/body, timing sensor, ignition coil.... Could be anything.
What were the minor issues that were tweaked?

It could simply be a loose wire somewhere.

[Rileybobs]

Have you tried turning it off and then back on again?

[Billyblah]

Thanks Riley. Sid, minor issues tweaked related to carburettor....it was running too rich. Sid, inclined to agree, could be a number of things.
I'd imagine with a loose wire it wouldn't start at all but it does tend to start again as soon as I turn the ignition.
Turning engine off and back on again in general conditions....starts every time.

[Sidney1st]

Hasn't got a carb in the old sense of the word.

Its all electronic fuel injection and you possibly mean the throttle body.

When you're operating/cycling the ignition, its resetting the system so to speak, clearing the fault that's caused the failure if it isn't a loose connection.

Unfortunately it needs to have the ecu codes read as soon as it cuts out, BUT you're then relying on it happening when its at a garage and sods law is it wouldn't happen.

[Sidney1st]

Forgot to say, if it was running to rich then there's an underlying fault somewhere else.

Over fueling could again be a couple of issues.

Its worth getting someone to have another look, but be aware you could end up spending more money chasing the problem then the car is worth or you can afford.

[SammyBoy]

I've basically got the same problem with my 12 year old Peugeot 206 (1.1 ltr), sent it into the mechanics recently and the diagnostics were fine but other than that they couldn't really suggest anything because it's so intermittent, as with the OP it starts up fine after turning the engine off and then back on. I've done some research online and it looks like it could literally be anything as so many different people have recommended so many different solutions!

[Sidney1st]

It starts fine due to the ignition being turned off and on, basically resetting the system.

[Dano1bfc]

Have u filled it up at a less than desiarable place . I would bet a fuel filter change will cure ...

[Dano1bfc]

Poor fuel creates a gel across the web of the filter turning on and off sees the effect ur getting as u release the pressure

[Dano1bfc]

Forgot to add this will cause fuel starvation and cutting out .

Have run many a modified performance motor and air fuel mixture is what makes the world go round... although very slowly in yor case . JOKES! Any question pm me mate

[Sidney1st]

That's a good point about the fuel.

I think it's Tescos that are notorious for having poorly made fuel tanks, resulting in water getting in there and contaminating the fuel.

[beddie]

Fuel Filter change and some BP Petrol.

[ClaretEngineer]

I'd be looking at all things electronic especially on a French car.

Idle control valve - notorious for causing poor idle speed / no idle intermittently.

Crank shaft position sensor - will also cause cutting out (see also: camshaft position sensor)

Air Flow Meter

Lambda Sensor

Old school diagnostics may need to be employed here as machine diagnostics are not always accurate or effective.

[sox8595]

I have just ordered an engine diagnostic tool that looks promising. It's called "engie" it plugs into your diagnostic port and sends real time info to your phone/ tablet via Bluetooth. Only purchased because it's very reasonably priced and looks promising to diagnose a minor but irritating fault I have .
Just google it. Might just be helpfull to you.

[box_of_frogs]

Don't buy French cars.

Problem sorted.

[sox8595]

Don't buy French cars.

Problem sorted.

Got to agree with that sentiment.

[MACCA]

Don't buy French cars.

Problem sorted.

How can you tell if the car is French or not?

I've not even found out if mine is a he or she yet, and I've had it 2 years!

I'll ask at the garage on its next MOT then take the correct action.

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

Don't buy French cars.

Problem sorted.

Which means avoid some Nissans too. My Qashqai has a Renault engine!

Saying that, this is from 'Honest John'... "modern French engines, such as Peugeot's 1.2THP 130 are way ahead of the field. French cars used to fall down on electrics, but these days they're actually more reliable than German cars. "

Definitely don't buy British Leyland though.

[ClaretEngineer]

Which means avoid some Nissans too. My Qashqai has a Renault engine!

Saying that, this is from 'Honest John'... "modern French engines, such as Peugeot's 1.2THP 130 are way ahead of the field. French cars used to fall down on electrics, but these days they're actually more reliable than German cars. "

Definitely don't buy British Leyland though.

Peugeot's engines have always been their strong point, especially the diesels. French cars also seem to have a certain character and charm that other cars lack.

Add Mercedes to the list. The A Class (180d) uses the 1.5 diesel from a Clio.

At least he doesn't own a Vauxhall.

[SammyBoy]

I can't say I know a great deal about cars, and trying to find one that will get me from A to B without breaking down too much is about the extent of my interest. Can somebody let me know whether there is any truth to the 'don't buy -insert nationality- cars' advice that's often given, or whether it's just a lazy stereotype?

[box_of_frogs]

I've not even found out if mine is a he or she yet, and I've had it 2 years!

Does it say either va va voom, or a combination of Nicole / Papa? If yes to any of those then its French! Easy!

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

[quote="At least he doesn't own a Vauxhall.[/quote]

In the mid 90s I borrowed my bosses Calibra for a week whilst she was on holiday. That felt like some car in those days!

[FulledgeClaret]

A puzzler for any mechanics out there and particularly Fulledge Claret who I seem to recall unravelling the mysteries of French engineering for another Picasso owner quite recently!

Eleven year old Picasso 1.6 petrol with 125k on the clock. It was approaching its annual service when I experienced the engine cutting out at very low speed.
Anyway, full service undertaken. Diagnostics threw up a couple of minor problems which were tweaked....but its still cutting out.
It's happening appox only once every two hundred miles.
I'm approaching traffic lights, zebra crossing or last instance, driving slowly through a car park. I disengage the clutch to move up or down, 1st /2nd gear. The engine light comes up on the dashboard and the engine cuts out. It starts up immediately I turn the ignition.
Anyone got any thoughts?

As a couple of others have said it sounds like an Idle Control problem or a loss of a signal to a sensor, Another poster mentioned diagnostic app like Engie this would probably be the best course of action if it only happens every now and again, you can clear the codes then the next time it faults see which faults have come back and what they relate too start from there.

[sox8595]

I can't say I know a great deal about cars, and trying to find one that will get me from A to B without breaking down too much is about the extent of my interest. Can somebody let me know whether there is any truth to the 'don't buy -insert nationality- cars' advice that's often given, or whether it's just a lazy stereotype?

My guess it's pretty much personal experience.
In my case French brand cars have never been good to me whilst Ford, Volvo and Vauxhall have. I, therefore tend to avoid Renault,Peugeot ect.

[Wokingclaret]

Makes sense sox8595 as Peugeot & Renault have in the past & present shared platforms & engines with all the companies you have listed.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Have u filled it up at a less than desiarable place . I would bet a fuel filter change will cure ...

Was going to say the same thing

[CrispyClaret]

My AA breakdown mechanic brother in law says
Crankshaft position sensor
Or airflow meter.
Airflow meter usually causes rough idling...revs up and down on tick over

[Belial]

Was always brought up with the 'buy German or Japanese' only rule. Never had Japanese cars, but always had VW or Audi. The older ones (i.e. 80's - 90's) were generally very very good. The ones I hve had post 90's have been problematic as a result of the use of cheaper (chinese etc.) parts. I still wouldn't touch French tho...

[BennyD]

How can you tell if the car is French or not?

I've not even found out if mine is a he or she yet, and I've had it 2 years!

I'll ask at the garage on its next MOT then take the correct action.

The badge on the front is usually a good clue. Also, if it works it's German or Japanese and if it doesn't, it's French.

[Wokingclaret]

And if it smokes, its a VW, lies you know

[Billyblah]

Just an update on this from a few weeks back, thanks to all who pondered this one and top marks particularly to Sydney, Engineer and Fulledge who all correctly figured out that it was the Idle Control Valve which after 125 000 miles on the road was totally bunged up. A quick strip down, clean out and we're back on the road and bouncing around on Lancashire pot holes