Citroen Xsara Picasso wont start!
Variant: 1.8 petrol
Model Year: 2001
Categories:
Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
I have a 2001 xsara picasso, everything worked well and then the battery went in October so a new battery was fitted. It worked fine for a while then it started to play up where the dash lights went then returned, it started to struggle to start as it just clicked but would start with a jump leads. The battery was sent back for testing and was informed that it was working correctly. A second hand alternator was fitted and the car worked fine for about 6 weeks but then that alternator failed so a brand new alternator was fitted and the car worked for 1 week! All wiring has been tested and is working fine. A different battery has been fitted and the car was left standing for a week and started every time we tried (ive 2 young children so didnt want to risk breaking down yet again!). So I decided to start using it properly and it has worked for 24 hours and failed again. The car was used for three short trips yesterday and was fine then tried to use it after an hour and it just clicked. It wouldnt jump start down the hill but did start after a couple of attemps on the jump leads. Has anyone please got any ideas? Could it be the starter motor? Could it be shortening out somewhere? Could the battery not be connecting properly? All looks fine but me and my dad are running out of ideas!! Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted: Feb 10, 2014 (10 years ago)
Check the earth lead from battery to chassis and engine or end of gearbox,If the starter is just clicking you need to find out if there is enough voltage in your battery ,check this with a multimeter,should be at least 12.5 volts. If voltage is ok then connect a jump lead from battery negative terminal onto the engine a good metal earth ,this will let you know that your earth lead is good.finally you would check that you are getting good voltage to the starter motor should not be much less than measured across the battery,if good voltage then could be a faulty starter motor,hope this helps you.
Posted Feb 10, 2014 (10 years ago)
an amp clamp would give you an idea of starter condition due to excessive current draw if faulty
Posted Feb 10, 2014 (10 years ago)
Wow!
A comprehensive informative question.
Points for you!
So,anyway,you've got jump leads,that's clear,
so take the black one,connect it to the battery neg- terminal and clamp the other end ON GOOD CLEAN ENGINE/GEARBOX METAL and retry.
What your doing is bypassing the engine/gearbox earth path,and if the fault is in there somewhere the jump lead will act as a new earth.
If there's any earth faults bypassing it will mean it will start.
Just to clarify,the jump lead isn't connected to any other car but yours,
Neg terminal then across to your engine,bypassed.
A comprehensive informative question.
Points for you!
So,anyway,you've got jump leads,that's clear,
so take the black one,connect it to the battery neg- terminal and clamp the other end ON GOOD CLEAN ENGINE/GEARBOX METAL and retry.
What your doing is bypassing the engine/gearbox earth path,and if the fault is in there somewhere the jump lead will act as a new earth.
If there's any earth faults bypassing it will mean it will start.
Just to clarify,the jump lead isn't connected to any other car but yours,
Neg terminal then across to your engine,bypassed.
Posted Feb 10, 2014 (10 years ago)
Hi
I have the same year car and the exact same problem. Car drives perfect no noises etc WHEN it starts. Can start it 4/5 times then on next start everything dies. Starts after jump or push started. Did you solve the problem I have two small children and am too scared to use car after breaking down too many times and am desperate to get it fixed properly
I have the same year car and the exact same problem. Car drives perfect no noises etc WHEN it starts. Can start it 4/5 times then on next start everything dies. Starts after jump or push started. Did you solve the problem I have two small children and am too scared to use car after breaking down too many times and am desperate to get it fixed properly
Posted Apr 30, 2014 (10 years ago)
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