Xantia starting issues

[redzzed]

Xantia 1.9td i have just changed a failing battery for a good used one . which the guy showed me was showing 12.3 volts .
the car has been starting like a hero for the first week , but now occasionally when i turn the ignition there is nothing , not even a click
although the lights will be working
if i keep retrying sometimes it gives a half hearted attempt , sometimes nothing at all .

after about the 6th attempt it starts as lively as normal .
all terminal connections are sound

any ideas pls ?

i suspect the iginiton/starter , but this problem has only arisen since the bettery change a week ago .

thx

dave

[Xantidote]

If you're sure the battery leads and connectors/terminals are 100%, then I think your on the right track with ignition/starter. I had a starter on a Ford V6 Essex engine fail with symptons very similar to yours. Don't leave it too long before sorting, or you could be stranded

[Xaccers]

If it's the starter it might be worth doing the relay mod for that so you use the current main feed to the motor as the switching feed to a relay and wire in a new feed to the starter motor.

Also check the battery leads, especially for heat when starting, as they corrode over time and go high resistance.

[Peter.N.]

Would check the ignition switch first.

[miked]

It sounds like the old ignition wire fault.

redzzed: How willing are you to do a bit of fault-finding? With the car out of gear (important), if you short the big terminal on the starter motor to the small terminal does it start? Don't attempt this if you don't understand what you are doing.

(I'm not going to take this off topic but I rescued a stranded starter on a transit this morning)

[redzzed]

Thx for the replies guys , miked i'm hamfisted unfortunately .
i've now lost the handy little socket spanner down the back and underneath the battery rack

it started 4th time this morning and havent used it since .
the cable connected to the positive is frayed , think its the radio , the radio works ,
privided i get to where im going tonight , will book it in somewhere this week .

[redzzed]

Ho Hum , i booked it in with a trusted mechanic who took it for elec. checking and it started 20 times with no problems .
he said the cable to the starter was a bit loose , but could find no definite cause , except that the battery is a cheapo .

the problem has nt reoccurred since

[taffy]

well things can and do vibrate alot i guess..
but the battery is very important mate and u need a good one and if u look about abit u can find good bats for chepo price
i can deffo recomend an exide pro 62amp bout 60 quid but theres loads out there...
saving a tenner could leave u stranded

[redzzed]

No further re occurences .