Hi all

I was wondering if anybody on these boards knows how the auto stop-start function of the Greenline ii model works?

I don't mean the criteria required for it to operate - I've come across this on a couple of threads and it sounds like there are quite a few criteria that need to be met for it to operate.

I mean more the tech behind it. I did actually ask a dealer this question when I test drove one, but he didn't know (surprise surprise! I didn't buy from him in the end as he was a bit... odd). I'm not a technical expert myself, but I am a bit of a geek and find all this kind of thing interesting.

I couldn't help noticing in the demo that once the clutch went down to restart it, the engine fired up much quicker than on starting the engine for the first time. Is there a secondary starter motor or something like that?

Any clues?

I dont think the stop start begins to work until the engine is up to operating temp. It is then much easier for an engine to be turned over quickly. I think it uses the same starter motor though.

I think the car primes itself to turn the motor as soon as the clutch pedal moves away from the floor so by the time the clutch bites and engages the engine should be running ready to provide power. However i dont think its entirely fool proof.

Hello Redline, I've only driven the Greenline 2 recently and very nice it was too. The Auto Stop/Start is quite interesting. You can turn this function off manually if you wish so you don't have to have that function working if you don't want it. However, if it's engaged and the engine is warmed up, and as I found out, after 30 seconds of idling, the engine will stop if you are in neutral (at least that's what happened when I drove it). As soon as I pushed the clutch pedal down the engine restarted and I selected first gear and continued to drive. I think there are other conditions when it operates too. But didn't witness any of those. Same happens I think if you pause in gear for longer than 30 seconds, and it restarts as you lift the clutch (as Moley suggests) but can't be sure of that. Again I didn't witness that. One of the guys with this model will be along soon with a definitive answer I'm sure...bear with...bear with!

Edited 30 March, 201115 yr by Estate Man

Hi all

..... Is there a secondary starter motor or something like that?

Any clues?

On our Citreon C3 Stop-Start (2006 model) there is no starter motor. They have beefed up the alternator and belt/tensioner and put in electronics to make the alternator act as a motor. Because it's always engaged, it is very quick and silent.

The other benefit is that the weight of the starter motor and the very thick cables back to the battery are avoided. The "alternator/motor" I think works on about 50V, 3 phase (it's easy to get electronics to do this) so the current is about 15Amps (thinish cables).

I think someone with a Greenline needs to look/listen with the bonnet open to see if there is/can hear a starter. The other clue is if there are 3 cables coming from the alternator in addition to the normal charging/control cables.

regards

retiredbri

On our Citreon C3 Stop-Start (2006 model) there is no starter motor. They have beefed up the alternator and belt/tensioner and put in electronics to make the alternator act as a motor. Because it's always engaged, it is very quick and silent.

The other benefit is that the weight of the starter motor and the very thick cables back to the battery are avoided. The "alternator/motor" I think works on about 50V, 3 phase (it's easy to get electronics to do this) so the current is about 15Amps (thinish cables).

I think someone with a Greenline needs to look/listen with the bonnet open to see if there is/can hear a starter. The other clue is if there are 3 cables coming from the alternator in addition to the normal charging/control cables.

regards

retiredbri

Thats a good suggestion - when I've picked mine up (whenever that ends up being) I might listen out and see if I can hear a starter.

On the other threads where the criteria were discussed, I saw it was noted that turning up the air con can have the effect of kicking the engine back in, even if still in neutral with the clutch up, and this would lend weight to the idea that it is purely electrics based.

Plus I've heard if you sit in neutral for too long it will eventually kick the engine back in, though somebody suggested to me that this may be because the system has some part that keeps moving during the "stop" period, but not infinitely... once it reaches its limit, the system can no longer operate and the engine kicks in again. This was pure speculation though from an engineer friend.

....

Plus I've heard if you sit in neutral for too long it will eventually kick the engine back in, though somebody suggested to me that this may be because the system has some part that keeps moving during the "stop" period,....

The battery in the C3 is smaller than normal so while in "stop mode" current is being consumed (engine management, steering electric pump, lights etc at night, radio etc) so it can't last indefinitly.

retiredbri

The Greenline II monitors a number of things with regard to the stop start system.

Mine cuts out immediately as soon as I come to a stop, take it out of gear and let the clutch up. Then it restarts if sitting for a long time with the lights on (battery drain) or if I turn the climate control up and it needs more cooling (engine load?).

It also doesn't need the handbrake on, it'll quite happily stop the engine if you release the clutch but are sitting on level ground with no brakes on at all, or at any other time when you have your other foot on the brake pedal.

You can also roll forwards in traffic on a slope and it'll only restart the engine when you get to about 2mph or so. (guesstimate!)

It also doesn't operate if you put excessive steering inputs in prior to coming to a stop as the car thinks you are parking or manouvering. Very handy!

Overall I had serious concerns over the stop-start system before I got the car, as have others who have driven the car. I planned on leaving it switched off.

But now both myself and everyone that has used it (in my car) thinks it's a great system. It never delays your progress.

It fires up quickly with the stop start-system as the engine is already warm and ready to go.

I believe the Greenline II comes with a heavier duty starter motor to allow for much more use.

i have greenline II, not sure if ive accidentally turned auto stop start function off. was working yesterday but todays keeps saying its not possible. Any ideas

i have greenline II, not sure if ive accidentally turned auto stop start function off. was working yesterday but todays keeps saying its not possible. Any ideas

you cannot permanently turn stop start off, pressing the button between the seats only turns stop start of until you next turn the car off and then it turns back on the next time you start the car.

There can be lots of reasons why the stop start is not working from simple just not enough charge in the battery, a regen to a fault - if the battery has been disconnected it takes a while for the stop start to work.

Redline Greenline II

There is a simple answer for the faster start up using Stop Start than when you first start, oil distribution. When the car first starts there is more internal friction due to the oil being in the sump and the starter motor has to work just a little bit harder to turn the engine over. Once the engine is running the oil reduces the internal friction making it easier and quicker for the starter motor to start the car. On some occasions when you have been standing for a long time you notice it takes the car just a fraction longer to start.

One of the most complex functions on my Greenline II that actually worked every time and I could hear the starter kick in.

Edited 3 April, 201214 yr by Dempsek

The Greenline II monitors a number of things with regard to the stop start system.

Mine cuts out immediately as soon as I come to a stop, take it out of gear and let the clutch up. Then it restarts if sitting for a long time with the lights on (battery drain) or if I turn the climate control up and it needs more cooling (engine load?).

It also doesn't need the handbrake on, it'll quite happily stop the engine if you release the clutch but are sitting on level ground with no brakes on at all, or at any other time when you have your other foot on the brake pedal.

You can also roll forwards in traffic on a slope and it'll only restart the engine when you get to about 2mph or so. (guesstimate!)

It also doesn't operate if you put excessive steering inputs in prior to coming to a stop as the car thinks you are parking or manouvering. Very handy!

Overall I had serious concerns over the stop-start system before I got the car, as have others who have driven the car. I planned on leaving it switched off.

But now both myself and everyone that has used it (in my car) thinks it's a great system. It never delays your progress.

It fires up quickly with the stop start-system as the engine is already warm and ready to go.

I believe the Greenline II comes with a heavier duty starter motor to allow for much more use.

I too had thoughts of switching it off but like you know after a couple o weeks of driving the golf it's amazing