Citroen C1 Common Problems and Solutions
Struggling with First and Third Gear
Problem:
Your C1 runs smoothly, but occasionally you have problems moving into either first or third gear.
Solution:
Check your gearbox oil level. In most cases, this will be caused by drivers forgetting to change the gearbox oil or to check its level. If that's not the problem, then try applying lubricant to the gear linkage. In rare cases, there may be problems with or damage to the selector linkage arms that you'll find at the rear of the box. These will need to be replaced by a new version available here if they have become worn or damaged.
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Doors Won't Lock
Problem:
You are unable to unlock one or all of the doors of your C1.
Solution:
If you've tried both your key and your fob and there are still one or more doors that won't lock, then the problem is very likely going to be a blown fuse. Replace the fuse with one of our own, using your owner's manual if you need help locating it. If you do replace the fuse and the problem persists, then you're going to have to check for any faulty wiring between the b-pillar and the driver's door.
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Fuses Multipack
Car Won't Start
Problem:
Your C1 simply won't start.
Solution:
There are lots of reasons why your car won't start. It could be a dead battery, a faulty alternator, or a fuel pump failure. Before you start looking at these bigger jobs, it's always smart to first check the fuel filter. Although these don't wear out, they can easily become clogged by dirt. Your C1 will start to drop in terms of performance and will eventually simply not start. If your fuel filter does become clogged, it's not something that you can remove and cleanout. Instead, you will need to buy and install a full replacement. The good news is that this is very easy and low-cost, especially if you buy from us.
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Fuel Filter
Battery Keeps Dying
Problem:
Your car battery won't charge anymore. You've even replaced the battery, and after a few days, it has also lost all of its charge.
Solution:
Although they last longer than ever, a defective alternator is the problem here. The older your C1, the more likely it is that the alternator will have reached its end of life. The good news is that you can buy replacements very easily from us and installing them takes less than five minutes.
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Alternator
Stereo is Permanently On
Problem:
Even when the car is not running, the stereo continues to play. The on/off button is unresponsive.
Solution:
This could be a fault with the on/off button, in which case it's best to just buy and install a replacement stereo from us. Before you do that, it's worth removing and disconnecting the stereo completely, then reconnect it. In some cases, this will resolve the issue permanently.
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Condensation in Headlights
Problem:
There is condensation in your headlights. In some cases, that condensation will accumulate to the point where your headlight unit starts to become filled with liquid.
Solution:
This will usually be a case of not having enough sealant on the headlight unit. The best fix here is to remove the entire headlight and dry it out overnight before reinstalling it with more sealant. If the C1 is an older model, then you may notice rust or water damage. While this isn't dangerous, it's a good excuse to get a newer replacement from us.
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Short Rear Wiper
Problem:
The rear window wiper is too short and doesn't provide maximum visibility when driving in the rain.
Solution:
This is a design flaw of the C1, and the short wiper is the standard one. Even new models of the C1 still have this issue. While it's not a serious problem, it's worth taking the time to replace it with a more practical and longer rear wiper available from our catalogue.
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Wiper Arm
Loose Rear Window
Problem:
You can hear a rattling coming from the rear window or have noticed that it shifts position occasionally.
Solution:
This is caused by insufficient bonding on the rear window and resulted in a recall by Citroen. If your car is affected, then you can either rebond or replace the entire rear window with a replacement here. Both tasks are relatively simple, although replacing the entire window can be very awkward to do yourself.
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Phone Fails To Connect to Infotainment System
Problem:
Your phone refuses to connect to the touchscreen.
Solution:
This is a design decision made by Citroen and affects all C1s apart from the entry-level versions. The problem is that the MirrorLink function just isn't compatible with all models of the iPhone. If your phone won't connect and it's not an iPhone, then it's going to be a software problem, and you'll need to take it to a Citroen dealer for an update.
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Starting problems
Problem:
A common issue on the C1 is to do with starting problems specifically to do with the starter motor failure. This is caused by the electric motor getting burned out.
Solution:
A way to get this problem resolved is to have a timer fitted on the start relay. This will stop the starter running too long, which can cause the starter motor to burn out.
Difficulty level
Starter Motor Relay
Loud exhaust noise
Problem:
Have you ever heard a growling noise coming from the rear exhaust, either when you are driving or especially when you are sitting revving the car in neutral? If so, these are indications of a problem with the back box.
Solution:
You will need to replace the rear section of the exhaust system to sort out this problem. Breakeryard can help you find a cheap replacement rear exhaust.
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Exhaust Rear Box
Airbag warning light
Problem:
It is re known on the C1 for the air bag warning light to appear on the dashboard. If it is flashing then it is most likely the firing unit on either the passenger or drivers air bag is at fault.
Solution:
You will then need to correctly identify exactly which one it is by having a diagnostic check. Once you have identified which firing unit is faulty, you will need to fit a replacement firing unit to sort the problem.
Difficulty level
Airbag
Water leaks
Problem:
You may have experienced or be experiencing water leaking into either the front foot well or the floor of the boot area. The C1 is commonly known for having problems with the door seals. A tell tale sign would be noticing the carpets are damp in one of these areas.
Solution:
You will need to replace the seal which is leaking to fix the problem. Remember to dry out the carpets so that you can avoid a damp smell. If your vehicle is still under warranty, this will get fixed for free.
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Front Seat Belts not Locking
Problem:
The driver and passenger in the front seats find that the seatbelt won't lock into place.
Solution:
As this is obviously a very serious problem, faulty seat belts should always be repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. Common in C1s built in December 2009, the only way to repair the issue is to completely replace the seat belt locking mechanism with one of our new ones.
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Car Lights Won't Turn Off
Problem:
The headlights on your C1 stay on, even after you've turned them off and shut the car down completely.
Solution:
In most cases, this will be a fuse issue. Replace the fuses for your headlights and test them. If they are still faulty, try disconnecting the battery lead and then reattach it. This can help to reset any faults. If neither of these solutions works, then you will need to have a full diagnostic check.
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Worn Seat Belts
Problem:
You've noticed that the seatbelts for the rear seats are becoming frayed at the joint between the buckle and the anchor plate.
Solution:
Citroen recalled C1s built in 2020 due to the wrong stitching on the rear seatbelts. If your car is under warranty, you can normally get a Citroen dealer to replace the seatbelts for you. If you're not still under warranty, then you will have to replace the seatbelts yourself with one of our options.
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