I can't open the citroen c3 doors

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

About a year ago, my father had a small accident with my citroen C3.
As we had other cars, the car was covered in the garage for about a year.
The doors have always been left open because the only lock on the car was damaged.

However, now I decided to start fixing the car, and one of the first things I did was put a new battery in the remote control(car key) and started to lock the doors.

Everything went well, until the day I had to remove the battery from the car to charge it. From then on the remote control stopped working and I can't open the car at all. I tried to open the door slightly and with the help of an extender I pressed the interior button to lock / unlock the car ... and nothing done .. nothing happens.
I have access to the engine compartment. Any idea how to solve this?
Break the small glass (triangle), and pull the rear door handle, will the door open with the central locking locked?

Thanks
wheeler
Posts: 6849
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 718

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by wheeler »

Wedge the door again & use a rod to pull the interior handle, If the car is not deadlocked it should open.
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

Thank you for your reply Wheeler.

I will try that.. but can you please tell me if the interior handle is activated by a mechanical or electrical mechanism?

Thank you
wheeler
Posts: 6849
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 718

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by wheeler »

Its connected mechanically however if the deadlocks are enabled the handle is mechanically disconnected.
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

Thanks again.

What can cause a deadlock and how can i solve it?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37014
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5648

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Deadlocking is a feature. It is enabled by making a second press on the remote when locking the car.

The first press locks the doors. The second press deadlocks, which basically prevents the doors from being opened from the inside. If you don’t want deadlocking, just press the locking button once on the remote.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
xantia_v6
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 9053
Joined: 09 Nov 2005, 22:03
Location: France or NewZealand
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: -
1997 Citroen Xantia V6 (France)
1999 Citroen XM V6 ES9 (France)
2011 Peugeot 308 CC THP 155 (NZ)
1975 Jaguar XJ-S pre-HE (NZ)
x 825

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by xantia_v6 »

It is unlikely that a Portuguese car will have the deadlocking option, it is generally only fitted to UK market cars , because it is a requirement of the insurance industry cartel.
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

Thanks for the replies.

Tomorrow i will use a rod to pull the interior handle, like Wheeler suggested. After that i will share the result..
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

I tried the four doors ... and nothing ... I can't open the car. I can reach the handles very well with a wire. I can pull them out ... but the mechanism is locked and nothing happens..
I don't know what to do anymore.
I have access to the engine compartment.
Any way to activate the electric windows?
Thanks
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Can you get a wire to the door lock button? If you can press it that MIGHT work.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

Thanks Hell Razor5543.

It was the first thing I tried ... and nothing ... It seems that all the central locking mechanism is dead!
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25368
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4889

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by myglaren »

Check the battery voltage. If it is low, remove it and charge it up.
Just had the same fault on my grandson's Punto but the key worked in the lock.

Same with my daughter's C3 last year.
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

Thanks myglaren .. Batery full charged
In fact .. I have already tried it with another one from another car.
I would like to understand what causes this total locking of the car!?!
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

As Marc said in an earlier post on this thread, pressing the 'lock' button on your key-fob a second time engages the deadlock. Unfortunately what has caused your problem is that you then removed the car battery to charge it, and now the key-fob and the car don't 'know' each other.

The way to re-introduce a key-fob and the car is to put the key into the ignition, turn the key to a certain position (I cannot recall which), and then press one of the buttons on the key-fob. Because the immobiliser system can see the key is 'paired' with the car (via the immobiliser chip in the key) the central locking system will then accept that THAT key is 'allowed' to control the central locking.

Have you tried using the key in the key hole on the door? I haven't seen that either suggested or done. You may have to turn the key twice in a direction (for example, left, back to centre, and then left again). I do NOT know if that is the correct direction, so you may have to experiment. Be prepared for the alarm to go off if you DO get the door open, as the alarm system is linked to the remote central locking system, and that will not have seen an 'unlock' command. Pop the key in the ignition and turn it on to cancel the alarm.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
rvca
Posts: 30
Joined: 31 Dec 2020, 11:02
Location: Portugal
My Cars: Citroen c3; citroen xsara
x 1

Re: I can't open the citroen c3 doors

Post by rvca »

Thanks Hell Razor5543. I understand and it makes sense.
The lock is damaged, so I can't turn the key.
So I have no alternative but to remove one of the glasses, right?
Post Reply