I got this car that doesn't start after the radio was taken off, I have tried multiple stuff without success, the fuses look good, tried different connections with wires, jumping the battery… and nothing. idk what to do anymore Id appreciate any help on the matter please! Thanks

I would start by insulating these cables. Separately.

First, get those exposed wires taped up. Old Citroen electrics are super touchy, and crossing a wire could easily trigger the immobilizer. If you still have the original radio, plug it back in and see if it starts. If it fires right up, that pretty much confirms the system is locking you out because the immobilizer module is missing.

On these cars, the factory radio is often tied into the immobilizer or CAN system, so removing it can trigger a no-start condition. Even if the wiring looks fine, the BSI may need to see the original unit or a coded replacement. Reconnecting the stock radio and doing a proper battery-disconnect reset can help. If that fails, a diagnostic scan to reconfigure the BSI is usually required.

Citroen C3 MK1 won't start after removing factory radio—immobilizer issue?

traaxdesigns 633 3

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#1 21562714 28 May 2025 15:00

traaxdesigns traaxdesigns

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Post #1
21562714 28 May 2025 15:00

I got this car that doesn't start after the
radio was taken off, I have tried multiple stuff without success, the fuses look good, tried different connections with wires, jumping the battery… and nothing. idk what to do anymore
Id appreciate any help on the matter please!
Thanks

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#2 21575990 11 Jun 2025 11:07

artur.heise artur.heise

Level 33

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Post #2
21575990 11 Jun 2025 11:07

traaxdesigns wrote:
I have a car that does not start when the radio is removed.
The radio has been removed, i have tried many things with no luck, the fuses look fine, i have tried different wire connections, jumped the battery.... and nothing. idk what to do more

I would start by insulating these cables. Separately.

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#3 21777733 11 Dec 2025 11:31

bennettlyle912 bennettlyle912

Level 2

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Post #3
21777733 11 Dec 2025 11:31

First, get those exposed wires taped up. Old Citroen electrics are super touchy, and crossing a wire could easily trigger the immobilizer. If you still have the original radio, plug it back in and see if it starts. If it fires right up, that pretty much confirms the system is locking you out because the immobilizer module is missing.
#4 21815270 21 Jan 2026 14:17

michaeljamesromt michaeljamesromt

Level 3

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Post #4
21815270 21 Jan 2026 14:17

On these cars, the factory radio is often tied into the immobilizer or CAN system, so removing it can trigger a no-start condition. Even if the wiring looks fine, the BSI may need to see the original unit or a coded replacement. Reconnecting the stock radio and doing a proper battery-disconnect reset can help. If that fails, a diagnostic scan to reconfigure the BSI is usually required.
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