2.5Td XM intermittent starting fault, plus odd indicators!

[lankytim]

Hi gang.

My 2.5 Exclusive sometimes won't start! There's just a clicking relay sound from the passenger footwell and no cranking from the starter. If I turn the ignition on and off a few times it will eventually engage and the engine will start. It's gradually getting worse though and eventually it won't start at all. eek!

Also, the relay for the indicators seems to have gone crackers. I can hear it clicking manically, although it doesn't affect the indicators themselves which still seem to work normally. Anybody know where this relay is?

Many thanks!

[old-un77]

the starter problem could be
A. the solenoid contacts are burnt and only making good contact occasionally...........

B. the brushes in the starter motor are past their best
I had a Renault 14 that played up in that fashion, by giving the gearstick a whack sideways often persuaded the engine to crank
that was bad brushes.....

C, a bad connection, main battery/starter lead wise

Bob

[Hell Razor5543]

It is possible that the indicators have a similar issue that afflicts the Xantia indicator stalk. I did a write up on sorting out a stalk from a series 2 Xantia. I hope it helps (but I am not certain of this, as you have an XM);

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=49528

[hattershaun]

I've experienced both faults on various XM's I've owned.

Indicator fault is as described by James. When it happens you may be able to stop the constant clicking by ever so slightly lifting the indicator stalk, it should stop the contacts arching internally.

The mother-in-laws XM had the starter motor issue same as you, a new starter motor sorted it out in the end.
I've also known this to be a worn ignition key barrel in high mileage/well used cars, a relay fitted to take the load off the ignition switch may help.

[Peter.N.]

yes, so have I on XM's. Very often giving the indicator stalk a good workout will cure it, at least for a while, you will find metal filings inside the switch and they are intermittently causing a short.

For the starting problem I concur with the previous posts but check the battery connections before you replace anything, if that is the problem you will find that the panel lights go out when you try and engage the starter.

Peter

[lankytim]

Although I can hear the indicator relay going crackers, it doesn't result in any flashing indicators, either outside or on the dashboard. I'll have a look inside the indicator stalk and see if anything looks amiss.

[chinkostu]

Although I can hear the indicator relay going crackers, it doesn't result in any flashing indicators, either outside or on the dashboard. I'll have a look inside the indicator stalk and see if anything looks amiss.

You won't, i've had them sound like a fire cracking and there were no lights.

best sort it before you get to the burning smell stage of them breaking down

[CitroJim]

The indicator clicking problem is a very common problem on the Xantia as well.. A perfect solution that I've done several times is to carefully dismantle the stalk (not has hard as it might first appear) and give the indicator contacts a good clean and renew the silicone grease in there as this is what traps the metal particles and causes the problem.

I believe the XM stalk is similar and will respond to similar treatment.

[chinkostu]

A temporary fix is to go hell for leather throwing it in all positions, that worked for mine and its still going a year on

[CitroJim]

A temporary fix is to go hell for leather throwing it in all positions, that worked for mine and its still going a year on

Excellent

Another one is to blast compressed air into the back of the stalk...

That blows out some of the particles causing the issue...

[lankytim]

This was really annoying me on the M25 the other day so I gave the indicator a damn good thrashing up and down... Seems to be fixed at least for the moment.

Thanks guys!

[chinkostu]

The only time that getting agressive is a documented fix