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isabellawagner50

DS3 Crankshaft Sensor Issue

My 2013 Citroen DS3 diesel is giving me fits. Check engine light is on, feels like it's lost half its power, and drinks fuel like crazy. I'm only getting rubbish engine response. The garage is saying something about 'Crankshaft to camshaft reference value' being off. Has anyone ever seen this before? Is my timing belt about to explode or something?

4 comment(s)

manfred_storm81

I also own a DS3. Reduced engine power and poor engine response are some worrying symptoms. Have they checked your crankshaft sensor already? A defective crankshaft sensor can cause the ECU to misinterpret the engine's timing, leading to issues with fuel injection and ignition. This could also explain the reference value error. Did they mention anything about the timing belt condition?

isabellawagner50 (Author)

Timing belt? Nah, they just mumbled about the crankshaft sensor being dodgy. But if the timing is off, wouldn't that mess with the camshaft position too? Is it worth replacing the crankshaft sensor first, or should I brace myself for a full timing belt job? How likely is it the sensor?

manfred_storm81

Indeed, a misaligned timing can affect the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft, triggering that error. However, considering your symptoms and the diagnostic code, the crankshaft sensor is the most probable culprit. Replacing it should be the initial step, as it's less labor-intensive and expensive than a timing belt replacement. It's still worth getting the timing belt checked for wear. If the new sensor doesn't resolve the issue, a deeper inspection of the timing components is necessary. Going to a workshop is the best approach, as measuring reference values requires specific tools.

isabellawagner50 (Author)

Okay, thanks for the advice! The garage replaced the crankshaft sensor, and it seems to have sorted it. Cost me around 340€ with labour. Now I can finally drive without that darn light glaring at me! Cheers for your help!

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