Failing to start

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
rashmore
Posts: 156
Joined: 03 Aug 2004, 18:32
Location:
My Cars:

Failing to start

Post by rashmore »

Intermitant fault apparently- just had to rescue brother.
Turn ignition, all lights come on, turn once more to crank, lights go out, nothing. no sound or movement.
Battery fine, recently replaced - tried with jump leads same result - nothing.
Tried rocking car in gear - attempt to start - nothing.
Birmingham spanner to the start motor - nothing.
Push and jump started straight away.
Any thoughts what this may be ? car is ZX 1.4i
Cheers
madasafish
Posts: 192
Joined: 01 Sep 2004, 14:20
Location:
My Cars:

Post by madasafish »

Your battery leads are not connected firmly enough. Starter drain stops current.. With alternator running all OK.
Remove leads, clean terminals with emery paper/steel wool and tighten
NiSk
Posts: 1422
Joined: 24 Jan 2002, 20:11
Location: Sweden
My Cars:
x 1

Post by NiSk »

If the battery terminal clamps are anything like as bad on the ZX as they are on the XM, I would cut them off and fit a set of proper aftermarket clamps. The clamps on my XM had got hot enough (due to poor crimping) to overheat and melt the insulation on the cable! With new quick-release pole clamps the voltage across the headlights when up nearly a whole volt and the improvement in lighting was quite noticable.
//NiSk
User avatar
AndersDK
Posts: 6060
Joined: 21 Feb 2003, 04:56
Location: Denmark
My Cars:
x 1

Post by AndersDK »

The original fitted battery clamps are a lead composite - very soft - and VERY easy to damage overtightening the clamp nut.
My son-in-law exhausted my stock on BX red battery leads with clamps - as he do not (yet) have the "feeling" on how you nip up - or how you tighten - a bolt [:I]
Post Reply