Xantia V6 won't start

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 10 Oct 2010, 22:07

Back again after quite a few years, and straight in with a problem

My Dad recently acquired a late Mk1 V6 Xantia (don't have the RP number, but might have the VIN number in a bit when I find it), and it's been absolutely fine until today when he went to go on his hols and it wouldn't start. The AA man was stumped, so he's left me with the task of finding a short list of prime suspects to try for when he comes back...

It would turn over, but no spark - and thats all I know! Its got the keypad immobiliser (and yes, the code was correct) - any favourite failures? My first guess would be a crank sensor - and advances?

Cheers, Guys...

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 10 Oct 2010, 22:33

Yes, Very Likely... Im not 100% sure of the Coil Packs, but would have thought they'd go out one at a time - but if you have NO sparks at all then its further back then the coil packs.

So Yes firstly try removing the pickup and see if it needs a clean up, the pickup could be dirty...

Paul

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 10 Oct 2010, 23:06

Cheers, Paul - I won't get chance to try and have a dig about for a week or so, but at least an ebay crank sensor is only £25 (same as a TD?) - or so it seems. If its reasonably accessible (for a V6 - there isn't much room under there for anything!), then might try pulling it out first for a check. Can they be checked with a quick resistance check - and would a generic OBD tool be of any use on these?

addo · Post by **addo** » 10 Oct 2010, 23:16

Surely first port of call is negotiating with the closest willing diagnostics owner?

If the injectors aren't ticking it's a security fault.

Post by **xantia_v6** » 11 Oct 2010, 06:43

Is the green light on the immobiliser solidly lit? If both red and green lights are dimly lit, it is probably a blown injection fuse.

The crank sensor is VERY difficult to access with the enine in the car (no so easy even when the engine is removed), so don't jump to that conclusion too quickly.

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 11 Oct 2010, 22:12

I'll check out the lights hopefully at the weekend, xantia_v6

addo - what is the diagnostics software for these? Never had to use any before..

Post by **myglaren** » 11 Oct 2010, 22:43

Diagnostics for Citroens is Lexia.

Several of our members own Lexias and have volunteered to help other members in diagnosing problems and resetting fault codes. Some may go further depending on experience with the machine.

You will find a list of members willing to help, along with a map link showing their locations in this thread

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 18 Oct 2010, 22:36

OK chaps - some "interesting" fault finding on Sunday (and today)...

Igntion off, red light flashes on the keypad. Igntion on, no keypad lights lit (solid red or even the green). Battery registered barely 12v, although would spin the engine pretty freely. No fire. Checked just about every fuse and nothing blown.

My dad gave the battery a charge and with the charger still connected, it started! Alternator kicking out about 14.5V. Stop the engine, remove charger, 12.8V on the battery and apparently just the flashing red light and the pad wouldn't accept a code. Connect the charger to raise the voltage to about 14 and it just starts - no code needed (still flashing red).

Looks like we might be looking at an earthing issue (or the main battery clamps?) - any favourite suspects to look for?

Post by **DHallworth** » 18 Oct 2010, 22:42

If the battery is barely registering 12v I'd take it out of the car and give it a good 24 hour trickle charge.

If that doesn't allow it to register a good 12v then I'd suspect a faulty battery, possibly a dud cell inside it.

A low battery voltage can cause all sorts of funny faults on modern cars with ECU's controlling everything.

David.

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 18 Oct 2010, 22:51

That was my thinking, David, (and suggested that a new battery would be a starting point as the one thats there is about 5 years old) - "dying" batteries can do funny things, it seems...although i've never seen such wierd behaviour, even on a Citroen!

Post by **DHallworth** » 18 Oct 2010, 23:18

If you've got a car with a known good battery, might be worth swapping it over and seeing what happens.

Make sure you've got a note of any radio codes etc.

David.

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 18 Oct 2010, 23:22

Glaringly obvious, but worth a shot - I've modified my Jeep Cherokee to take a Cit/Pug TD battery, so will pull that out for him to test with..

Post by **DHallworth** » 18 Oct 2010, 23:36

Won't do any harm to check the free things first.

Let us know how you get on!

David.

Stepto1 · Post by **Stepto1** » 19 Oct 2010, 10:34

My vote is the battery. All the signs point to that.

philhoward · Post by **philhoward** » 21 Oct 2010, 21:29

Well, using the battery off my Jeep (actually a 306TD one), the Xantia behaves itself and starts!

Guess whats on the shopping list....

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys, and i'm rather glad it wasn't the crank sensor!