jgra1 blog

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 21 Apr 2010, 15:09

So what are you doing for the rest of the day then John?

That list should keep you busy for an hour or so.....

Tell me more about this accessory earth strap. It may just have some bearing on your ABS issues...

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 21 Apr 2010, 15:14

thanks both

Jim, can't quite remember how it started.. but added an old jump lead (one of those small useless ones) from the gearbox to I think the battery.. it made the car able to start on that day and I didnt bother to remove it until last week... the original cable was getting warm, so was that one.. suspect original has a break somewhere and the add on wasn;t up to handling the current.. between them they have worked up until now, just.. but thought I would try and find out whats really going on..

ABS has been an issue from before I brought the car Nov 2007.. i.e. ABS and charge light have been in cahoots since before then

suspect its something really silly.. wouldnt mind trying another ECU (3rd) but I think between us we have ruled out that as a problem...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 21 Apr 2010, 21:31

Wish I could have a look at the car with you John.... I'm sure two heads would soon sort it...

The poor earth is likely to be the old problem of a high resistance where the cable crimps into the battery clamp.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 22 Apr 2010, 09:17

The earlier blog entry was written after I began work on the xant

well over the course of the week I did the pads, the aux belt tensioer last night - what a horrible 3 hour job that was

need to drop the engine to get tensioner and bolt out.. the inner sleeve of the tensioner bearing stuck onto the engine... trying to undo the allen bolt that holds the lower spring to the tensioer is impossible.. the 3/8 square slot isnt 3/8 or 1/2 ,, I have nothing that will fit and turn the tensioner.. as others have found the whole thing doesnt seem to want to move when done up tight grrr

anyway, all done, the old roller was really noisy constantly squeeking, and the thrumming was caused by an undertensioned belt.. both noises are gone, engine sounds almost like a dream

really horrible job I thought..

also, front tyre done, bonnet and wing found in Cambridge. door card and C/L done , headlight adjusters adjust

, put an airline through the screenwash system, seems to work although new jets needed sometime, will try and do earth cable or at least find out where it's bad, tonight..

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 22 Apr 2010, 09:18

The earlier blog entry was written after I began work on the xant

I have finally got a pic to display in a post !

well over the course of the week I did the pads, the aux belt tensioner last night - what a horrible 3 hour job that was

need to drop the engine to get tensioner and bolt out.. the inner sleeve of the tensioner bearing stuck onto the engine... trying to undo the allen bolt that holds the lower spring to the tensioner is impossible.. the 3/8 square slot isnt 3/8 or 1/2 ,, I have nothing that will fit and turn the tensioner.. as others have found the whole thing doesnt seem to want to move when done up tight grrr

anyway, all done, the old roller was really noisy constantly squeeking, and the thrumming was caused by an undertensioned belt.. both noises are gone, engine sounds almost like a dream

really horrible job I thought..

also, front tyre done, bonnet and wing found in Cambridge. door card and C/L done , headlight adjusters adjust

, put an airline through the screenwash system, seems to work although new jets needed sometime, will try and do earth cable or at least find out where it's bad, tonight..

I couldn't get her running last night so added the jump lead from Neg to the injection pump.. started fine then but sparks from the jump lead as I unclipped it, quite bizarre but maybe thats normal as it's forming part of the circuit..

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 23 Apr 2010, 11:23

I changed the earth strap completely for a similar one I had (actually a TD positive cable, with a smaller guage wire at each end (terminal and gearbox 'eye' ends) - the same as the earth strap..

Every connection (4) was cleaned on the wire brush, bright and shiny

and it seems better.. not sure I have fixed the problem completely.. wonder now if the starter is just taking too much power and this is causing the need for a better earth ? the engine is still sluggish when turning really..

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 23 Apr 2010, 11:24

I changed the earth strap completely for a similar one I had (actually a TD positive cable, with a smaller guage wire at each end (terminal and gearbox 'eye' ends) - the same as the earth strap..

Every connection (4) was cleaned on the wire brush, bright and shiny

and it seems better.. not sure I have fixed the problem completely.. wonder now if the starter is just taking too much power and this is causing the need for a better earth ? the engine is still sluggish when turning really..

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 23 Apr 2010, 12:07

Perhaps swapping the starter would clear it up!
I remeber on one of the first xantias my parents had, we had a persuasion tool to make it start, in the form of a hammer....
one bang on the starter and she always worked!

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 23 Apr 2010, 12:37

maybe Dave

used the hammer / wood trick a few times in the past..

I have a feeling the first time I got this problem, I changed the starter.. and the extra earth strap was the second idea.. anyway.. it starts for now, think I will leave it for another day..

MOT booked in morning.. wondering if I should try and get some derv in, or fill up with my WVO.. WVO better for emissions maybe, but more smokey on idle.. I have a bottle of injection cleaner which i may throw in the tank anyway.. plus will give the tunisian tune up

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 23 Apr 2010, 18:07

hmm..

My best efforts last night made no difference..
(I changed the main earth cable (which didn't look bad) for a good one, and cleaned all contacts.. )

tried to start car from cold just now, earth and pos cable are both warm/hot.. car wont turn over enough to start

car will start when another jump lead is connected (from battery- to Injection pump, as it's big and metal) - plenty of sparks when earth touches Injection pump and for example ignition is on (glows etc)

without jumplead engine turns over sporadically , some fast rotations then slow ones.. with jump lead, perfect

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 23 Apr 2010, 18:14

Ive always gone for the WVO and injector cleaner option and never failed an emissions test.
Just make sure you get the engine nice and warm before the MOT!

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 24 Apr 2010, 16:13

passed!

low tread on rears, NS track rod end going, and a bad sidelight earth were advises.. the blowing at the last join in the exhaust was not a problem, and the abs light issue went unnoticed...

happy but now I need to fix the few things and get the bonnet and wing picked up in a week from Cambs...

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 04 May 2010, 14:24

Xantia
Changed the TD starter over the weekend, car still wont start and I cant spend any mroe time on it... Will add a second earth lead from battery to engine or gearbox to cure it for now..

Took all glows out on Saturday, and checked them directly on battery.. number one was the suprising candidate for renewal

Coupe
Coupe, added a spare PS pump and still think I am loosing fluid..

may have to pressure test the system at a stealers, and or buy a new rack (the fourth rack change) !

LPG has taken a back seat as the weather was complete rubbish this weekend

Have a small air powerfilter to fit in the evening which should free up space for the vapouriser..

Boat
nothing

VFR**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
its second battery in my ownership.. charging still not quite right and am on the third Reg Rec now.(all second hand)

GPX

its taxed for the first time in my ownership, as of today.. and for the first time since 1998, when it was placed into a hedge for 10 years storage

14000 rpms

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 04 May 2010, 21:54

fitted a spare thick red cable (all i had to hand) between earth terminal and the post for the main earth on the gearbox.. no difference..

took the cable under the pull clutch bracket to another gearbox bolt and all seems to be fixed

left the factory earth strap on the other post, as darkness was falling and an after-market airfilter needed fitting to the coupe

which I was worried about, being too loud....

but it sounds pretty nice with the windows open and reflecting back from some hedgerows, really hear it's a v engine

reason for fitting is room for lpg vapouriser.. pics tomorrow but it aint pretty

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 05 May 2010, 11:34

That's an odd one with your earthing points John

Are you saying that it's good on one gearbox bolt but not another? Very strange...

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car turning over sporadically, starts with an extra earth