What are the reasons for the Citroen C-Quatre's starter motor not responding?
3 Answers
Here are the reasons why the Citroen C-Quatre's starter motor may not respond: 1. Carbon deposit factors: This is mainly caused by excessive carbon deposits in the idle speed motor, intake tract, intake valve, and combustion chamber. When there is too much carbon deposit or dirt in the intake tract, the cross-sectional area of the air passage changes, resulting in an overly rich or lean air-fuel mixture. This can lead to abnormal combustion or engine shaking after starting, or even failure to start. 2. Fuel injector failure: If the fuel injector has issues such as leakage or excessive carbon deposits, it can cause a lean air-fuel mixture during startup, making it difficult to start. Additionally, a faulty carbon canister or carbon canister solenoid valve can also lead to difficulty in starting.
As a seasoned driver of a Citroen C-Quatre, I've encountered this issue several times. The most common reason for the starter motor not responding is a dead battery, especially during cold winters or when the car has been parked for too long without use—aging batteries drain quickly. Secondly, it could be a problem with the motor itself, such as worn or stuck internal carbon brushes, or a faulty ignition switch, or even loose electrical connections disrupting the current. That one time, I was in a hurry to get to work in the morning, and the battery terminals were corroded—turning the key yielded no sound at all, leaving me sweating in frustration. My advice: first, check the dashboard. If all the lights are off, it's definitely a battery issue—test the voltage or use a jump starter. If the lights are on but there's no sound from the starter, inspect the motor's fuse and the tightness of the connections. If all else fails, don't force it—calling the dealership's roadside assistance is the easiest solution. For routine maintenance, test the battery health every six months, clean the terminals to prevent corrosion, and avoid frequent starts that drain power quickly.
I have some interest in car repair and have researched this issue. The main reasons why a Citroen C-Quatre fails to start are usually insufficient battery voltage, as older cars' circuits are prone to oxidation; or a faulty starter relay, solenoid failure, or the anti-theft system locking the motor's starting function. When diagnosing, listen for sounds to determine the issue: complete silence is often a power supply or switch problem; a clicking sound without ignition may indicate burnt coils inside the motor. I usually start by using a multimeter to check the battery voltage—if it's between 11-13V, the battery can be ruled out; then inspect the fuse box to see if the 10A fuse for the starting circuit is blown; shake the motor connections to check for looseness. However, motor disassembly and repair are quite specialized, so don't attempt it yourself—take it to a professional shop. For regular maintenance, it's recommended to clean the battery terminals and relay contacts to reduce failure rates.
