Hello again,
More fun with the Xantia 1.8i 16V '96 petrol car recently purchased. We found the other day, when trying to start the car in the drive, that there was just a click from under the bonnet and no spinning of the starter. The click is almost certainly the starter motor solenoid.
The starter had only just turned over fast enough to start the engine in the past - in always sounds like it's not going anything like fast enough to start the engine, but does do eventually - so we put a bigger battery in place, as the one fitted is no bigger or more powerful than the one in my Renault Clio 1.4. The bigger battery turns the engine over faster, but still not good. Anyone know what the rating of the battery should be? The one in it was rated 44AH (Amp Hours) and 360 Amps.
Anyway, even with a slightly better battery, the starter sometimes won't spin and there's just the click with the turn of the key and marks the solenoid engaging but nothing else. Sticking the car into gear and rocking it back and forth seems to do the trick and the car will then start on the next key turn after doing this. Would this indicate worn brushes, a faulty/dirty commutator or a problem with the solenoid sticking?
I plan to overhaul the starter motor when a manual we've ordered arrives at the local parts place, as I've overhauled them before for other cars with a good success rate, but I'd like to know how difficult the job is and if I need to get underneath the car to do it.
Thanks all. [:)]
James
Xantia starter motor problem
Moderator: RichardW
James -
You've allready done all the fault tracing down to the problem - you just need a confirmation from someone - that's been there tried it - [:I][:I] - on at least 10 starter motors over the years [:D][:D]
Most definately worn brushes in the starter motor [:p]
Also the bronze axle bearing rings in the starter should be replaced - once that little dog is off engine [;)]
Ask around (friends - yellow pages) for any nearby auto electrician/specialists garage - they have the bits needed at very reasonable costs - off the shelf.
May be necessary to bring the old bits for correct identification - huge variety exists on these bits - read off the type no designation on the starter motor.
These cheap bits are usually NOT found at your dealer - they don't bother - will instantly try sell you a new starter.
You may try GSF online to see what a recon starter unit is priced at. May happen you choose the replace route then.
You've allready done all the fault tracing down to the problem - you just need a confirmation from someone - that's been there tried it - [:I][:I] - on at least 10 starter motors over the years [:D][:D]
Most definately worn brushes in the starter motor [:p]
Also the bronze axle bearing rings in the starter should be replaced - once that little dog is off engine [;)]
Ask around (friends - yellow pages) for any nearby auto electrician/specialists garage - they have the bits needed at very reasonable costs - off the shelf.
May be necessary to bring the old bits for correct identification - huge variety exists on these bits - read off the type no designation on the starter motor.
These cheap bits are usually NOT found at your dealer - they don't bother - will instantly try sell you a new starter.
You may try GSF online to see what a recon starter unit is priced at. May happen you choose the replace route then.
-
JamesQB
- Posts: 375
- Joined: 13 Aug 2003, 18:01
- Location: North Wales, United Kingdom
- My Cars: Citroen Xantia 1.8 - I miss this car a lot.
- x 5
Thanks for the info. Took the starter motor off (what a job! Took me ages) and took it down to a reconditioner who has done some things to it. Just picked it up and now must go out and refit it and hope it works properly now.
While under the engine I noticed that the hydraulic fluid had gone down a bit, then I noticed the hydraulic pump was coated in lhm and dirt. The middle bulb at the front of the engine bay has always ticked too much, constantly and I saw that with each tick, some LHM welled up at a union nut on the top of the hydraulic pump. This is where the fluid is leaking, from this union (big nut with smaller nut screwed into it, I think and pipe coming out of smaller nut). I hope this is why the middle bulb is ticking so much and isn't due to the sphere lacking in gas, as the fault symptom usually indicates from what I've read on here.
I asked down the local parts place if I could buy a small kit containing basic overhaul bits like seals, washers, etc but was told I must buy them from Citroen. Can anyone help further with this, can I buy anywhere else and what prices might I be looking at for some seals or washers for this top union part from Citroen or another place that might sell them. Do they come in kits?
Thanks.
While under the engine I noticed that the hydraulic fluid had gone down a bit, then I noticed the hydraulic pump was coated in lhm and dirt. The middle bulb at the front of the engine bay has always ticked too much, constantly and I saw that with each tick, some LHM welled up at a union nut on the top of the hydraulic pump. This is where the fluid is leaking, from this union (big nut with smaller nut screwed into it, I think and pipe coming out of smaller nut). I hope this is why the middle bulb is ticking so much and isn't due to the sphere lacking in gas, as the fault symptom usually indicates from what I've read on here.
I asked down the local parts place if I could buy a small kit containing basic overhaul bits like seals, washers, etc but was told I must buy them from Citroen. Can anyone help further with this, can I buy anywhere else and what prices might I be looking at for some seals or washers for this top union part from Citroen or another place that might sell them. Do they come in kits?
Thanks.