Hi Chaps
My Father in law's C5 has died on him. The battery seems fine - wipers and lights work and all dashboard lights come on BUT turn the key to start the engine and nothing happens. Not even a slight attempt to turn the engine. Does anyone know where to start looking
What year & engine is it ? any work done on it recently ? What makes you think the battery seems fine ? have you tried jump leads ? what is the battery voltage at rest & when you try to start it ?
OK - not much to go on I know. It is a 3L V6 version (from memory), automatic, petrol engine. No work done recently. Haven't jump started the engine as yet. Will have a go tomorrow and post an update. As the lights and wipers were working without engine running assumed battery ok.
NAM wrote: As the lights and wipers were working without engine running assumed battery ok.
Thats not really a good indication of battery condition as it may be failing under load. When you connect the jump leads leave the other car running for 10 minutes before even trying to start the C5.
I don't know how much they changed from the Xantia V6 wiring, but assuming (until corrected) that they are similar, then there is a starter inhibit switch on the transmission, which controls a relay between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid (the same relay also disengages the cruise control if the transmission is in Neutral). The Xantia V6 has the control wire to the solenoid clipped to the bottom of the alternator in a rather vulnerable position.
My advice would be to get out a multimeter and check the voltages on the starter teminals when the key is turned to the start position. I imagine that access to the end of the starter is not great, but can be reached from below if the car is jacked up.
Turns out it was the battery after all - so I feel a bit silly now. We tried the jump leads and she sprang into life straight away. Had the battery checked and it was on its last legs so a new one has been installed and all is well.
Sorry to have troubled you with this - lesson here is to make Father in law do the obvious first before deciding to make son in law take things to the experts!
