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jonathan_swift1

Xsara Mixture Preparation Error

Hi, I've got a 2005 Citroen Xsara with a gasoline engine that's playing up. It's done 121893 km. I'm getting a 'mixture preparation error'. The check engine light is on, and the engine is running rough, with reduced power and jerking when accelerating. Sometimes it even stalls at idle. Any ideas before I start ripping things apart?

4 comment(s)

wernerkoenig1

Hey, sounds frustrating! I had similar symptoms on my old Opel Astra. Check engine light, rough running, the whole shebang. For me, it ended up being a faulty mass airflow sensor causing the mixture to go all wonky. Have you checked yours? Also, any chance the throttle body is dirty? That can mess things up too.

jonathan_swift1 (Author)

Thanks for the tips! I haven't looked at the mass airflow sensor or throttle body specifically, but I'll definitely check them out. Was your Astra also showing similar stalling issues at idle?

wernerkoenig1

Yeah, the stalling at idle was the worst part, very embarrassing at traffic lights! Cleaning the throttle body helped a bit temporarily, but ultimately the new mass airflow sensor was the real fix. Honestly, with those symptoms, it's probably worth getting it properly diagnosed at a workshop though. Could be a fuel injection issue, which is a pain to troubleshoot yourself.

jonathan_swift1 (Author)

Thanks a lot for the advice! I took it to a workshop, and you were right on the money – turned out to be a defective injector. Cost me 515€ to get it sorted. Runs like a dream now!

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