CITROEN C3 PLURIEL: Questions and answers

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

I’m not sure if it’s just a coincidence but, if I brake suddenly, a horn sounds and I have an awful feeling that it is my Citroen C3 Plurie. The first time that it happened when the car in front failed to indicate I didn’t realise that it was me, as I’m rather reluctant to use the horn. However, the fact that it has happened twice more has now convinced me that it must be my car and I feel very embarrassed. I can’t find the answer in the manual and wondered if anybody can enlighten me?

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

My Citroen C3 Pluriel has a welding joint in the lower floor part of the doors which looks as if it has been welded together. Is this normal or is it a cut and shut?

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2004

My Citroen C3 Pluriel`s engine light keeps coming on and I`ve had the CAT replaced 3 times in the space of 10 months (under warrenty). It did it again last night and when I`ve plugged it into the diagnostic kit it has told me again that there is a problem with the CAT. The last time it had to be replaced the garage employed a Master Diagnostics tester who came and had a really good look over the car and the only fault that he could find was the CAT problem. He then told the garage that there had been problems in the South Wales area, that similar problems had been happening with models of my car and a model of a Diahatsu. The supplier had been suppying the wrong model of CAT (Euro 3 instead of Euro 4 I think). They replaced it and said that the problem wouldn`t arise again, but low and behold the light has come on. The car is back at garage today and I`ve been told the Master Diagnostics tester has confirmed that it`s still showing that the CAT has blown. They have even run emissions tests on the car and the CAT is working fine. I have now been given the option of sending it to the Citroen dealer at the garage`s expense to run through tests there. I am now thinking that the problems lie with the fact that the CAT is not a genuine part? Everytime a new CAT (non genuine part) has been fitted the light has come on around 2 months after it`s been fitted. I`ve had advice online from a diagnostics centre and they have said that it`s because it`s not a genuine part but I would welcome open advice from other people please?

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

My Citroen C3 Pluriel has been with Citroen for nearly two months now as its had injector problems which have been sorted now. A new problem is that the fuel pump is not working and they plan to fit a new one. Why are fuel pumps so difficult to get for the C3? They are telling me the next-date they have for the part to be in is the end of March...

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2005

My wife drives a C3 Pluriel and has gotten used to all [some] of the idiosyncrasies of the Citroen. Recently the roof has ’popped’ on the drivers side so that it won’t close properly at the front driver’s side corner. It leaves a gap when the roof should be closed tight. It is a security and weather issue. I can’t drive it in the rain as the water gets in and would flood the inside, if left out. Does anyone have any idea of the repair process? The garage says there’s 1.5 man days of work and around $500 for the parts. Total possible repair cost - in excess of $1,300. Has anyone experience with this issue? Is it fixable by the weekend warrior or does it need to go to the garage to be fixed? Would welcome any advice/help/input. Regards.

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

Just bought a used C3 Pluriel Automatic, never had a Citroen Automatic before. Not sure if it is a problem but when the car is in 1st gear and I remove my foot from the foot brake the car will roll either forwards or backwards depending on which way I’m facing on the hill. On a hill start this is not a problem as I would pull away from a hand brake start, but on the occasions when its clear to go so the hand brake is not engaged, roll back occurs. Previous Automatics I’ve driven have started to move the car slowly or hold on a hill when the foot brake is not engaged or removed, so is this a fault or just a quirk with the car? Even thought perhaps the idling revs may be too slow? Can anyone help please? (Automatic - Convertible)

Answers

The car is not a true auto. It has a clutch, the manual states to never hold the car with the accelerator. When on an incline, always hold the car with brake and gently accelerate - Andy Australia from Australia

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2004

Does anyone know where I can get the covers for the boot when the car is in full convertible mode? Apparently they are called "laterals" and they fit on either side of the main cover which helps to keep boot contents secure when in convertible mode?

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

I have a Citroen C3 Pluriel, 2003. My key unlocks the central locking and deactivates the alarm and immobiliser. The key does not want to do this. I was able to unlock the doors manually and switch the alarm off, but it seems the immobiliser is still locked as I am not able to start the car. Which means I am not able to use the car. I need some advise please.

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2004

Is there a cure for water leaking into the boot of my Citroen C3 Pluriel? (1.4 petrol)

Answers

Took mine to Citroen service and they put some mastic around the window. This cured it - Jo Garnham from Middlesex

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

My reversing light won’t work on my Citroen C3 Pluriel. The bulb and fuse are OK. It could be the switch on the gearbox but I am not sure where it is. Can anyone help? Thanks.

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2005

I left the lights on and ran the battery down on my Citroen C3 Pluriel, It charged up OK but now I can’t open the hatch/tailgate and the roof doesn’t work. Is there a way re-open the hatch manually?

Answers

I have just had this exact same problem. Boot wouldn’t open and roof opened to first stage and then only closed with two presses of the button. For six days, we have driven the car as normal stopping and starting etc, trying the boot every day. I was just about to take it to the garage - tried the boot once more and hey presto, it opened as did the roof which then closed correctly - Alex from England

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

Hi, the blower on my Citroen C3 Pluriel only works on the highest setting 4 and not at all on lower speeds. It was a bit noisy on a 3 hour drive yesterday. Does anyone have any ideas to try before I take it to the dealer? Thanks everso!

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2002

My key will not lock the car and the car will not start. I have just replaced the battery in the key but it still won’t lock or start. I presume this is an immobiliser problem. How can I solve this? I can’t take it anywhere to fix it and I can’t lock the car either. HELP.

Answers

Hi, could be a number of things so will need to be investigated. I am an independent Citroen specialist based in Kent. I may be able to come out to you as we offer a mobile service. If you would like to give me a ring on 07747 741 780 we can arrange getting your vehicle fixed - Paul Watson from Kent

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2006

I have replaced both bulbs in the rear number plate but they still don’t work. Can anyone tell me where the fuse is for these lights? My book shows a completely different dashboard fusebox.

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

Hi, the battery of my daughter’s Pluriel has ran down and when I charged it up, the engine would start to turn over but nothing would happen as if it had no petrol. Does anyone have a clue what could be the problem? Thanks Terry

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2005

I have had this ongoing problem. I feel like getting out and bashing my car in at times it’s so frustrating! As long as I am on the move I am okay, but as soon as I come to a halt (ie. at roundabouts, junctions etc), I try to move off again and it starts flashing in second gear with the snow flake symbol on the top and won’t budge. I have taken it to a Citroen dealer who has taken the gearbox apart, but can see nothing wrong. They said it was a problem with the coil and replaced it but I still have the same problem. I have been looking on the internet and have come across other people with the same issue but have never had them resolved. Does anyone know what this could be?

Answers

Had the same problem, found that if you remove the plastic grills at the bottom of the window screen that there are two ducts leading into the van. There is a rubber drain there to let the water run away. These were blocked, cleaned them by poking my finger through then washed them out with water. Problem solved - Russell Marsay from Essex

I have an ’03 Pluriel, had it since new. Mine used to do the snow flay routine and no gear selction. There were some stored faults in the fault logs but although they said there was nothing wrong, the dealer did a fresh download. All okay since - Grahame Hadden from England

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2008

My car has been recalled for the software to be updated. When I bought the car we had 2 key fobs but have since lost one. Can it still be updated?

Answers

You can still take your car for a software download then if you find your other key, you can code it in at a later date - John from England

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003

When I am driving I suddenly hear a beep and the snow sign comes up and the car suddenly stops and refuses to enter any gear. After a while it starts driving again. Please help, it’s dangerous and embarrassing.

Citroen C3 Pluriel 2004

I have a huge pool of water in the drivers side foot well. What could cause this?

Answers

This possibly could be the seal at the top of the windscreen where the roof joins, there was a recall on these. If you check with your local garage they can tell if this had been done or not on the vehicle... Gema from England

Mine is exactly the same - probably the door/window seal where it drips in during drizzle and pours in when raining. Solved my own problem quite cheaply by placing puppy pads in foot well to catch leaks - easier and cheaper than going to a Citroen garage who will tell you it needs a full diagnostic check and upwards of £75 plus VAT - they will then tell you it’s the roof which is not covered by the warranty and the parts and labour will cost at least £2,500 plus VAT to repair! Puppy pads are by far the cheaper option!!! Nikki Girardier from Lancashire