Xsara Pic 2.0 HDi watery death

[Michel]

For reasons as yet unknown, driving through the ford today, the ford I drive through at least once a week, the Picasso decided to suck up a load of water and seize.

That's by the by. I'll try removing the glowplugs tomorrow and turning it over by hand but I'm not hopeful as it made a noise and the air filter is sodden.

Why is it totally electrically dead though? Battery is fine, I've checked all the fuses, including the big separate 40A ones under the bonnet. All fine.

Any ideas?

Anyone want a dead Picasso for spares? It's got 4 good tyres and wheels!

[mickthemaverick]

That looks a trifle damp Mike!! Only thought that comes to mind is the immobilser possibly?

[Paul-R]

Lashings of WD40?

[Stickyfinger]

Lashings of WD40?

More like tow it to a lane (down hill one), aim it at a tree about 50 yards down and let the handbrake off CLAIM mud on the road!

(just kidding)

[Michel]

This morning I removed the glow plugs and turned it over with a big bar on the crank pulley. Got a nice watery shower.



I did this a few times until no more water came out. I then reassembled it.

There's no power to it. I have checked all the fuses, under the bonnet and inside the car. Yes, I have checked the maxi fuses hidden under the fuses in the underbonnet fuse box. All good.

I then discovered that it comes to life if I connect the battery up using the under bonnet jump start terminals like this.

It does turn over, but slowly and there's a bit of a thump on every revolution.



So, my main question - why is it dead when the battery is in the compartment under the seat, yet comes to life when connected as per the pic? I can find nothing apart from the maxi fuses.

Help!

Or.. is the battery flat? I've no charger anyway.

[wurlycorner]

Nice work with videoing the engine clearing there

The slow turnover in that video sounds just like low voltage to me, nothing more than that.

That it turns over if you use the jump terminals under the bonnet but not otherwise does suggest something with the original battery and/or with the connections to it perhaps (did any of that get any water in it/did a main ground in the engine bay etc. get damaged in the water?)

[Michel]

That is the original battery, I simply took it out and connected it with jump leads.

I've cleaned the engine earth, though it didn't get damp. Fusebox was dry. Gearbox breather got a bit filthy but other than that I can find nothing that should stop it working when the battery is where it should be.

[mickthemaverick]

Put the battery back in its home and then connect the positive via jump lead to the terminal under the bonnet and see if it turns. If it does then your fault is in the positive wiring, if not swap the lead to the neative and connect it to the engine earth point and try it. This will prove which leg you have trouble with.

[Michel]

Put the battery back in its home and then connect the positive via jump lead to the terminal under the bonnet and see if it turns. If it does then your fault is in the positive wiring, if not swap the lead to the neative and connect it to the engine earth point and try it. This will prove which leg you have trouble with.

Thanks Mick, I'll give that a go shortly

[mickthemaverick]

I didn't say but you will need to connect both it's original terminals before putting on the jump leads of course!!

[mickthemaverick]

Mike you might want to read through this thread which tells the tale of Neil's Xsara Picasso after it had a similar experience to yours!!