Xsara Starting Problem

county2000 · Post by **county2000** » 29 Apr 2010, 14:18

Hi,
Hoping someone can advise on this.
I have a 2004 Xsara Estate which is intermittently failing to start. I can hear the starter solenoid operating but the motor doesn't sound as if it's turning. Sometimes it will start okay, other times after 3 or 4 tries but this morning it must have been 30 attempts over 45 mins before it started.
I suspect that it could be the contacts on the starter solenoid or motor brushes but just wanted an expert to tell me if there is anything else that could be at fault before I go forking out for a new one.
My starter is a Valeo, but I notice several different makes available for this model eg Bosch, RTX. Will any of these fit or does it have to be a Valeo?

Thanks in expectation

Dai

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 29 Apr 2010, 14:45

It certainly sounds as though it's starter motor related. An auto electrician would be able to tell you whether its motor or solenoid. You could get a replacement on an exchange basis where the one you get will be a rebuilt unit. On exchange you could get one for around £85.

county2000 · Post by **county2000** » 29 Apr 2010, 15:46

Thanks for the reply John.
I'm pretty convinced it is the solenoid contacts, but I was just worried in case it could have been something else such as the ignition switch or even the immobiliser though I don't know how that effects the starting circuit.
Next comes the hard part - removing the thing, it took me 20mins to find it last week!

Dai

spider · Post by **spider** » 29 Apr 2010, 15:56

Having disconnected the battery (important) , its worth taking the heavy leads off and examining them (both ends of the earth and positive and the engine / gearbox earth lead and the main heavy feed to the starter too)

Although even rarer (but I have seen this) the small thin 'start' wire to the starter (the feed from the ignition switch really) could be loose if its a eyelet type connection or corroded if its a spade.

It's not unknown for corrosion to have effected them, although I'd guess this would cause a permanent issue, but its worth checking these that they are clean / sound and generally OK. The only cost in this is time.

county2000 · Post by **county2000** » 29 Apr 2010, 16:00

Thanks Andy I'll certainly try that first.
It's odd that some days it will start first time every time but then will just click for a number of times before operating. It could well be a bad connection somewhere.

Dai

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 29 Apr 2010, 16:43

Take the starter motor out & oil the shaft that the gear runs on as it could be dry & sticking.

county2000 · Post by **county2000** » 29 Apr 2010, 18:01

Thanks Uncle Buck,
I'll try that too.

Dai

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 29 Apr 2010, 19:03

or if your realy unlucky it could be the fly wheel ring gear teeth chewed up at one point,

next timer it dont start try with ignition off put it in gear hand brake off and rock it to nudge the fly wheel round a bit, to try to find a section with good teeth,

a fly wheel usualy stops at one of two points when you switch the engine of, and it will more often than not be one of the same two points,

regards malcolm

county2000 · Post by **county2000** » 30 Apr 2010, 11:22

Thanks Malcolm
Hopefully that isn't the problem as I can't actually hear the starter motor turning, and also when it failed the other day it eventually started without the flywheel being moved. I'm getting more convinced that it's the solenoid contacts or a bad connection. Going to remove it tomorrow to have a good look, weather permitting.

Dai

county2000 · Post by **county2000** » 05 May 2010, 16:13

Have fitted new starter motor, but now after reconnecting the battery the immobiliser light on the dash is lit and the car fails to start. The remote central locking also does not operate. I have tried various 'fixes' that people have posted but no joy as yet. Does anyone have a definitive fix for this problem or is an expensive trip to Citroen my only option?

Dai