C3 Sensor drive calibration / initial setting

[corfco]

Hi All,

Newbie on this forum as was trying to wade through another one, so firstly thanks for existing.

I have my first Citroen, a 2012 C3 1.4 petrol with Sensor drive Semi Auto box, saved from the scrapyard as IMHO it was worth saving.

It had coolant leak (bad)and very jerky unreliable gear change, so I basically paid scrap money for it, and started repairs.
it soon became apparent that getting to the rear of the engine, and coolant pipe was a no go, so I removed the engine for access.
I changed everything i could get to, including the clutch, whilst I had access, water leak cured.
gearbox remained unpredictable, so one new battery and battery positive lead later its much better.

Drives well in manual using paddles, and much better in auto, if still slightly unpredictable.

I have read / heard about the importance of using diagnostics to reset clutch / gearbox after changing parts, so could someone please advise on the below.
Is it likely to improve gear change times (I presume so)
Am I causing any damage by driving it as is?
I do not have large sums of money to buy diagnostics, which seem very high end / specialised for this, so is anyone remotely near Manchester who I could pay for this?
A look on the directory saw trainman in Preston as my nearest I think. Every garage / mobile tech I have called do not want to touch it or do not have the right equipment.

Ready for some light hearted roasting and or advice.

Corfco

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi and welcome. 10/10 for the attempt to save this one! The piloted manual boxes can be a bit of a sod to work with, depending on what's wrong with it - which is where the diagnostics come in and why so many won't touch them as they can tale a lot of time to investigate.

If the clutch or actuators are replaced there are procedures to set the clutch point and gearbox grid - all done from Lexia / Diagbox.

Have a look at our list of members who have offered Lexia / Peugeot Planet 2000 / Diagbox Diagnostics help if you haven't already seen it - link below:

At the end of the list is a link to a Google Map, showing the geographic locations of members and details. Just use the Private Message or Email links on the member's profile to contact anyone suitable.

List of Lexia / Diagbox Owners with Kits Offering Help

Bear in mind, although we update the list as often as we can, not all members are active on the Forum all the time, so it may take a while for a reply.

[wheeler]

Really if the gearbox had been removed a re calibration of the clutch & gearchange actuators should be performed.
If you do get access to suitable diagnostics i cant stress how important good battery support is during the procedures (regardless of how new or good the battery is) ideally have another running car connected via jump leads, the process puts quite a load on the battery as most of it is done without the engine running. The process will nearly always fail if the battery is not supported.

[GiveMeABreak]

Good point.

[ozvtr]

Is this a Sensodrive or EGS? I didn't think the Sensodrive was in production after 2009-ish.

[corfco]

Thanks for the replies, sounds like something I need to do.
Not sure what EGS is, just gleaned Sensor drive from you tube vids and initial searching.
I have flappy paddles, and a reverse neutral drive on rhs of selector, If I move it left I can sequentially got up or down manually.
I will check directory and contact some nice people.
Thanks

[ozvtr]

The Sensodrive uses electric actuators for the clutch and gear change.
The EGS uses electric pumps and hydraulics to move the clutch and gears.
While they are both "piloted manual gearboxes" they are very different in execution.

[corfco]

OK, thanks, definitely Sensor drive then.

[ozvtr]

Um...Ok, then how did you reset the clutch actuator?

Here is a very good look at the clutch actuator, how it works and how to reset it. He resets the actuator at 6:05.



When the actuator is mounted back in the car, the actuator is slid forward until the "nose" of the shaft just touches the clutch fork. Then the actuator is moved forward a further 3mm.
The gearbox is then reset as per the instructions in the owners manual. Attention: you need to remove and install the positive terminal of the battery. You then need to observe the gear indicator on the instrument panel. The gear indicator must indicate a 'dash'...NOT a gear number or N. The reset procedure will not work if a gear number or N is displayed.
If you are successful the gearbox will "click and clack" for a few minutes. Keep your foot on the brake!