Auto Gearbox Problem

[Munroast]

Citreon C5 VTR, 2010, 33,000 mile

Mothers car, says the gearbox has been a bit odd recently, slow to change up. I had a go in it today, in auto it won't come out of first, in manual mode couldn't get it above 3rd

Any ideas ?

 

[Burnerman]

Citroen had loads of auto problems around this time, particularly on the C3 / C4 and it required a new or refurbished gearbox ecu.....no surprise there then.
However, diagnostics on these are good -surprisingly enough - and some fault codes will be there but you'll need a trusted diagnostics garage to go to and that doesn't necessarily include Citroen.
Expect to pay £250 for a rebuilt ECU, no idea of the Citroen price.
I'm surprised if the car hasn't had starting issues - they are all connected.
John

 

[Munroast]

Citroen had loads of auto problems around this time, particularly on the C3 / C4 and it required a new or refurbished gearbox ecu.....no surprise there then.
However, diagnostics on these are good -surprisingly enough - and some fault codes will be there but you'll need a trusted diagnostics garage to go to and that doesn't necessarily include Citroen.
Expect to pay £250 for a rebuilt ECU, no idea of the Citroen price.
I'm surprised if the car hasn't had starting issues - they are all connected.
John

That is interesting, it not start (didn't even try and turn the engine over) the first time I tried it, I went back into the house and asked her when she had last had it running (which was last week) then I went and tried it again and it fired up first time.

So you are thinking ECU, but will need someone with PSA diagnostic tools ?

You're not in the Alnwick area are you - I will pay you to fix it - LOL - or would you know anyone in that area to go to? (I know you're northumberland but it is a big county)

 

[Burnerman]

I think initially I’d contact Semples of Berwick and see if they can do an auto transmission diagnostic, and take it from there.....BBA Reman or ecutesting.co.uk will probably help with a replacement ecu if it turns out to need one.
I’m in the Hexham area and find French car specialists pretty hard to find - although plenty seem to claim they are.
John

 

[Munroast]

I finally got around to having a look at this, there is no way I can access the fluid level tank on top of the actuator from inside the bonnet, it is buried below the battery and ECU, and even if I removed them I still doubt I can get to it. I can certainly see fluid that has leaked out ontop of the tray thing that sits below the engine.

I'm still hopeful that if I could top this up it may be driveable and I can take it somewhere to get fixed.

Do you know if the internal wheel arch cover comes out and would give access to the top of the gearbox ?

 

[Burnerman]

Unfortunately the C5 isn’t a car I’m familiar with but I’d doubt if you could gain much access with the liner out......suspension and steering being in the way.
How much fluid do you think has escaped? I think there will be a breather too.
I believe there is a variety of transmission oils too, and the correct one is vital.
John

 

[Munroast]

I should have given an update. My local mechanic who has been fixing stuff for me for years has said that
9/10 chance there is a certain pipe that has been leaking, when enough fluid has come out it has the symptoms that I described above. If I top it up and drive it back he will fix it. He got me the correct fluid from Citreon.
1/10 chance its buggered and expect a £3,000 repair at a gearbox specialist (this scenario writes the car off)

I had a quick look at a C5 today but can't work out how to get to the reservoir tank, a bit searching on Youtube showed a citreon picasso with the same problem and the bloke seemed to have access to it through the wheel arch. I'm wondering if the C5 is a simillar set up

I'm hoping to go and do the job tomorrow and I can't get in touch with my local mechanic to ask about the C5

I can't seem to find a garage near where my mother lives who will touch it, as soon as I mention auto box they just say I would be better off taking it to a specialist in Newcastle - how on earth to I get a non runner there for an estimate?

 

[Burnerman]

Fingers crossed!
Maybe there's some info on the Citroen owners forum or similar - just make sure you get the correct transmission fluid! Gone are the days when ATF suited everything.
John

 

[Munroast]

Just in case it is of any help to anyone, I did manage to find the fluid reservoir behind the wheel arch liner, unfortunately it was full so the easy fix is not going to be.

Citreon C5 VTR 'semi automatic' Actuator fluid reservoir.

 

[Burnerman]

Did you find where the oil on the sump shield was coming from?
John

 

[Munroast]

Did you find where the oil on the sump shield was coming from?
John

not even sure it was oil, may be just black road gunk

 

[sxturbo]

It may just need a flush with clean oil.

Oil doesn't last forever despite what manufacturers say is sealed for life.

 

[Munroast]

9yo but it only has 32k on the clock, criminal waste if it ends up on the scrap heap. I am going to have a gearbox specialist look at it (£200 just to get the repair costs, if fixable) I have been told these semi auto boxes are eye wateringly expensive to repair.

 

[Old Salt]

What about trying a scrapyard for one that has had some back end damage?

 

[Munroast]

What about trying a scrapyard for one that has had some back end damage?

for whatever reason I don't think you can easily swap these over like normal boxes, they all have to be programmed in by citreon. A local back street operation I have been using for years won't even give it a try, and he regularly sources stuff from scrappies.