Citroen C4 AL4 transmission problem

one positive experience about owning a citroen is that I learn a lot about cars!!

I guess if you own a Toyota, you never open the bonnet, just the fuel cap is all you need to touch.
 
addo said:
What happens sometimes, is if the solenoids have been changed, some people do not correctly adjust the detent inside the gearbox, preferring to "fudge" the work by adjusting the multicontact switch.

As a quick fix, the switch can be adjusted by loosening its two Torx securing screws and rotating ever so slightly. As a better fix, one is advised to have the shuttle valve and detent setup checked by someone with either the factory tools or good knowledge of the "cheat" (a helper pulling the gearstick back ever so slightly as the spring is locked down). Then, adjustment of the multi contact switch is a slight tweak only (or may not be required).
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Are you a citroen mechanic!

I rang my local guys, he wouldn't touch it..
 
I rang my local guys, he wouldn't touch it..
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It's a German gearbox. I'll bet the local guy will take on a Beemer or a Merc though. They even do Toyotas which are far from simple. These blokes tend to think that current Cits are as different as the DS was in its day. As for never opening the bonnet of Japanese cars, forget it. They have the same problems.

Because PSA has a disgraceful attitude to sharing info with the diagnostic equipment makers, you will be better off at an experienced Cit, or Pug, or even Renault specialist. Post where you are and somebody will suggest one.
 
I'm not a Citroën mechanic, although I have been known to impersonate someone who knows what they're doing. ;-)

Toyotas - especially the V6 models - do not take kindly to being ignored, BTW. Eventually the engine will develop faults relating to lack of oil changes and the degradation of oil quality due to heat and age. Then, like the other "never lift the bonnet" car - the modern Commodore - it gets expensive...

I agree with Seasink about Citroën's attitude to the public - especially in Australia. In the EU it is legally mandated that people must have reasonable (ie; not expensive) access to information about how to fix their cars - it cannot be withheld. So for €5,20 per hour you can look at wiring diagrams, read the official "how to..." instructions and surf repair time estimates. This information is also able to be bought online here by the hour from "service.citroen.com", for a while they blocked it but I and others lobbied for its reintroduction.
 
Page seventy covers the adjustment of the shuttle valve and detent spring; they call it a "roller blade".
 
Thanks for all your help..

of course, I was kidding about 'never lift the bonnet' comment, car still need regular service. But the C4 has full dealer service history!

I have owned a 2000 Honda CRV (150,000km) before this citroen, other than a leaking brake master cylinder, not a single item went wrong.

my wife drive a 1998 ford laser with 250,000km, other than both CV joints and 4 shock absorbers replaced. It is still going strong.

BTW, I must thanks everyone for your advise, you guys are awesome, got more knowledge than the dealers!

one last question, how do I know if the valve was replaced without pull it out??
 
with no reply, I will assume there is no way to tell if the Electrovalve Solenoid has been changed by previous owner other than dismantle the gearbox. thx
 
martinln said:
with no reply, I will assume there is no way to tell if the Electrovalve Solenoid has been changed by previous owner other than dismantle the gearbox. thx
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Hi Martinln,
If the valves were replaced by a dealer and the software upgraded they are supposed to put a sticker or a stamp on the end of the transmission. The far left hand vertical end. I have never seen it so I do not know what it looks like !
I can only say get a lexia on to it before you spend other money. It does not sound like a 'classic' valves failure. Could be a combination of things or just a badly adjusted cable or ?? Some person before may have jumped to an expensive diagnoses and frightened the previous owner who then sold it. However it may be much more easily fixed.
Jaahn
 
jaahn said:
Hi Martinln,
If the valves were replaced by a dealer and the software upgraded they are supposed to put a sticker or a stamp on the end of the transmission. The far left hand vertical end. I have never seen it so I do not know what it looks like !
I can only say get a lexia on to it before you spend other money. It does not sound like a 'classic' valves failure. Could be a combination of things or just a badly adjusted cable or ?? Some person before may have jumped to an expensive diagnoses and frightened the previous owner who then sold it. However it may be much more easily fixed.


Jaahn
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shame on the previous owner! I think I am lucky.

btw, is coolant temperature equal to transmission temperature? I may change the ATF later myself but my scanner only show coolant temp... it needed to be 60c, right..
why can't the factory set the level at cold to make life easier! damn
 
You can always feel the screw heads on the pan cover - if they're sharp/jagged there's a good chance an "expert" has been in there.
 
addo said:
You can always feel the screw heads on the pan cover - if they're sharp/jagged there's a good chance an "expert" has been in there.
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good idea! thx

see, everyone learns a lot if you own a citroen, not if you have one of those japaness car! well, we have to look at the + side.
 
The fact that you say the box works ok in auto mode [have I read that correctly?] indicates to me the fault lies with the external electrical control system. I think any internal shift problems would show up in both change modes. Manual shift mode is external electronically controlled, nothing to do with cables or electro valves [the same valves are used in both modes of gear change] or the multifunction switch, or any of the sender units plugged into the gearbox, the exception being the output speed sensor which will give all sorts of change problems if it's faulty. I would go with a wiring fault.
 
wiring fault?, you mean it comes loose after few years? I don't think anyone would touch the wiring.

I will order a lexia scanner unit. it is just to hard to work it out..
 
It can be read with Lexia, or you could splice in a mechanical temperature gauge, or read the case temperature with a pyrometer.
 
martinln said:
then how can I get the ATF temperature?
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The hand make a good thermometer. When its too hot to keep your hand on the front pan then its about right :)
Jaahn
PS this method of getting the fluid level right is used by other cars as well.
 
jaahn said:
The hand make a good thermometer. When its too hot to keep your hand on the front pan then its about right :)
Jaahn
PS this method of getting the fluid level right is used by other cars as well.
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I think the infra-red pyrometer is a better choice and a little more accurate.

They can be picked up for around $50 and you avoid the possibility of hurting your skin.

Jo
 
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