Xsara Picasso electrical problem

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Brian60
Posts: 18
Joined: 19 Aug 2017, 17:13
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Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by Brian60 »

Yesterday the Pic wouldn't start just a click from the starter solenoid. Dashboard went really dim I checked battery voltage and it showed under 11 volts, on turning the key it dropped to 8 volts. So today I have been out and bought a new fully charged battery.

Its now in the car but I get the red ignition light and economy mode active on the dashboard. But the starter still just clicks and wont fire.

Can anyone tell me what I have overlooked please.
Rhothgar
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by Rhothgar »

Sounds like the starter motor is jammed in mesh would be my first thought.

If it's easily accessible, then disconnect battery, unbolt it and clean the internal screw shaft and make sure that the pinion gear which engages with the flywheel moves freely along the shaft. That would be my first shot at trying to fix this.

Alternatively, you can for starters, try disengaging it by hitting it repeatedly with a hammer to try and shock disengagement.

Also check earth strap to engine.
Brian60
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Joined: 19 Aug 2017, 17:13
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by Brian60 »

Thanks, I'll give the starter a look over.
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Paul-R
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by Paul-R »

If it is a jammed starter motor and it's a manual gearbox you could putting it in gear and then rocking the car back and forth to jar the starter motor.
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RichardW
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by RichardW »

Are you sure the new battery is charged..... sounds like it might not be!
Richard W
Brian60
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Joined: 19 Aug 2017, 17:13
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by Brian60 »

FOLLOW UP.

I did the simple rocking the car to make sure it wasn't jammed.

It was as RichardW said not fully charged as per packing said it was! I borrowed a booster from a neighbour and it started immediately, so I checked voltage of the new battery, 11.8 volts. A couple hours of battery charging and its now back to normal.

So thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions, sometimes you forget the simple solutions yourself and need someone else to prod you in the right direction.
Rhothgar
(Donor 2026)
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Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by Rhothgar »

Often the most simple solution.

I never want to suggest something so simple because I like to assume people have checked the very basics...
go2hell
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Joined: 22 Sep 2018, 08:51
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Unread post by go2hell »

Occasionally, some battery terminals are loose and same issue occurs in XP's.. regards