Xantia Turbo Diesel Problems

ash · Unread post by **ash** » 15 Jan 2004, 19:40

Got a couple of problems with the Xantia. Need some help to sort them out
1. Speedo stopped working. Believe I need some kind of electronic cable to the gearbox ? How much should I expect to pay for part and how much labour effort.
2. Starting. Doesn't want to start on morning after really cold evening. Just chugs and events dies, have to get a jump start. Is this heating plugs, Again, what can I expect to pay for parts and labour.
Cheers
Ash

Unread post by **RichardW** » 15 Jan 2004, 21:06

Ash,
What year is the car? Earlier cars still had cable operated speedos (I think). Usually a git to change on RHD cars as they go right across the back of the dashboard...
If it turns over sluggishly and the battery is soon goosed then I suspect you just need a new battery. If it fires up right away on a jump, then it is probably not a glow plug problem, as it would still be difficult to start on the jump.

ash · Unread post by **ash** » 15 Jan 2004, 21:32

Its on a 95 N, mechanic had a look yesterday and said it was an electronic one.
On the two occasions where car has not started, one was on a very cold night and not driven car following day. Would just turnover slowly then die.Other time was when I had left the light on for a couple of minutes outside a garage, damn thing would not start.
On both occasions, used jump leads to start the car. But fired up straight away.
All I've been told is that its the heating plugs. Had the battery checked by few places now and its fine, alternator is charging it too.

DarkendViper · Unread post by **DarkendViper** » 15 Jan 2004, 21:39

Do you know what size battery you have on there?
I changed my 400A (Standard I think) for a 600A one due to lack of cranking power in the cold. Fires first time every time. Well used to, but i've got an air leak into the fuel system and the fuel drains back into tank.
Ste

lhm_leak · Unread post by **lhm_leak** » 15 Jan 2004, 22:02

Ash,
Your starting problems, from your own description, are ENTIRELY down to a crappy battery. Replace it and the problems will just go away...
Stu.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 15 Jan 2004, 22:20

I agree with lhm_leak.
First real cold night - and a potiential weak battery instantly shows up.

arry_b · Unread post by **arry_b** » 15 Jan 2004, 23:14

Once you've driven to the garage, the alternator will have put a bit of charge back in the battery so it'll probably test OK.
More importantly, the current passing through the battery will have heated the electolite which will liven the battery up, the chemical processes in a lead acid battery get more energetic and will release more energy as the temperature rises.
Certainly looks like a duff battery to me.

ash · Unread post by **ash** » 16 Jan 2004, 01:34

So my problems starting are not down to heating plugs ? What the hell are they anyway and what do they do ? Seems like I have been taken for a ride here.

lhm_leak · Unread post by **lhm_leak** » 16 Jan 2004, 02:02

Nope, definitely NOT the glowplugs - as Richard W mentioned, if they were the problem you'd find it difficult to start the car at all! Someone's trying to pull the wool over your eyes on this one.
The glowplugs' main purpose in life is to warm the combustion chambers of the engine so that a suitable temperature for combustion is achieved when the air in the cylinder is compressed - I did A Level chemistry but can't remember the name of the gas law that states when you compress a mass of gas, it gets hotter (It was a long time ago...). Anyhow, the action of the glowplugs makes it very hot indeed, so when you squirt diesel into it it goes bang, so to speak.
The plugs themselves are just little electric heaters. Nothing magical at all.
Of course, to power all of this, you need... Guess!
Stu.

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 16 Jan 2004, 02:44

Gearbox electroic sensor - £53 from GSF - only one bolt to undo, easy DIY in less than an hour. Bit that got me, and it might have been the angle I had the car up on the ramps but on removing the sensor a fair amount of oil spilled out - probably between 125 and 250ml. Have a drip tray ready and some oil to top up with after you've done the job.
Regards
Rory