Xantia holiday help, sorted. Further update!

[Andy F]

Evening,

We are away in Devon and have developed a problem with my xantia estate hdi.

On the way down from Gloucestershire to Devon on Wednesday the alternator packed in. I managed to get to our destination but the battery was flat on arrival. Rac came out and agreed it was alternator. It was booked into garage in Barnstaple the next morning (Thursday)so I could empty my wallet for the privilege of them fitting it. Not wanting to spoil our family holiday i agreed to them doing the work.Since then the EML keeps lighting up at random times and today I have lost power at times. The car has never displayed this warning light in my ownership so its seems a bit strange that it's started now.

Any ideas what they could have dislodged/ broken when they fitted the alternator to cause the eml to illuminate. I have no tools with me so can't do anything about it, but if I can point to what they might have done atleast I won't get charged an eye watering amount again.

Any ideas gratefully received

[mickthemaverick]

The first thing I would check is that the battery has been recharged and is supporting the electrical systems properly. A battery can be problematic if it has been fully discharged and not been properly recharged. If the garage just replaced the alternator, then jump started the car and left it running to recharge the battery it may still be subject to voltage fluctuations when you vary the load. Worth checking the standing voltage with the engine off and the headlights on. Good luck.

[white exec]

If the car is now starting and running ok, and lights etc operating properly, and battery voltage good (12.5 ish everything off; around 14.4 engine running), then the alternator may be doing its job.

If the EML light comes on intermittently, but the IGN (charging) light doesn't, then there may be a logged Fault that needs clearing, which would require Lexia, which the garage may not have had.

[Andy F]

Thanks for the replies.

Those were my thoughts too. The garage told me they hadn't charged it as they commented it was completely flat when they tried to start it after changing the alternator. It was off on the first day but started coming on the following day. I was just a bit concerned when I lost turbo yesterday although it did come back when I restarted the engine. So it sounds like it's playing catch up then. I have lexia at home so will reset it on Wednesday.

Hoefully a good drive will go some way to sorting it but ultimately it may need a new battery I guess.

Any ideas why it would lose engine power though once its up and running?

[mickthemaverick]

Thanks for the replies.

Those were my thoughts too. The garage told me they hadn't charged it as they commented it was completely flat when they tried to start it after changing the alternator. It was off on the first day but started coming on the following day. I was just a bit concerned when I lost turbo yesterday although it did come back when I restarted the engine. So it sounds like it's playing catch up then. I have lexia at home so will reset it on Wednesday.

Hoefully a good drive will go some way to sorting it but ultimately it may need a new battery I guess.

Any ideas why it would lose engine power though once its up and running?

Possibly due to the ECU detecting random voltages in the engine ignition or emission control systems and switching the engine to limp mode to protect it. Especially if it is ok again if you restart it after a minute or two's rest. Just a thought

[thorter]

Hi Andy,

That’s unlucky, I presume it is the Xantia estate. A possibility is the mass flow sensor, which is quite vulnerable if the air cleaner and hose is removed to help access. It might be damage or a bad connection.

Also, the feed to the ECU in the battery positive lead bundle was repaired, but it is possible there has been further corrosion. This would show up as a voltage drop at the ECU, but unfortunately there is no easily accessible point to check the voltage. Perhaps I gave you a cut open Double Injection relay which does allow this.

F

[ksanturion10]

Worth checking the positive cable connections (alternator, starter, battery, engine fuse box).
Negative cable connections (battery, chassis, engine/gearbox).
Again both battery cable connections .
Also a check for blown diodes (the "gurus" at the local BHTC plant promised to tell me how to do the check -> yeah, found out myself - again ).

BR
Martin

[Andy F]

The weather improved enough for me to have a look this morning at it. After I finished doing the garages job all seems well. I found a loose intercooler pipe jubilee clip and the negative terminal very loose on the battery. Having sorted both of these and observed they've broken a couple of the engine cover clips all seems well. I'll report back tomorrow as we are going for more of a lengthy drive, hopefully all will be well! I'd rather not have to go back to that garage. Luckily I have a spare xantia hdi for spares so I'll change the clips when we get home. And I'll ignore the fact I have a perfectly good alternator on it that I could have used had it not broken while on holiday! Timing eh?!

Yes it is your old Xantia estate Thorter, it has provided sterling service and has continued to want for nothing. I would like to keep it very long-term.

Thanks again for all your replies.
Andy

[white exec]

Not a garage to go back to. What a pig's ear!

[mickthemaverick]

I think you should name and shame the garage on here Andy, at least to save any other member being turned over!!

[Andy F]

Small update, the xantia estate passed its mot today, a very small patch of welding on the sill was required, costing £45. Everything else passed and it even had no advisories! Roll on another year of Xantia ownership!