Xsara Picasso electrical problem

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Brian60
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Xsara Picasso electrical problem

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

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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Location: Murcia,Spain
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

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

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

Post by RichardW »

Are you sure the new battery is charged..... sounds like it might not be!
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Brian60
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

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 2023
Posts: 1758
Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
Location: Nottingham - UK
My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new)
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

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...
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Re: Xsara Picasso electrical problem

Post by go2hell »

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