starting problem TD xantia

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 01 May 2010, 15:47

all, a quick recap..

My xantia has all the symptoms of a flat battery and fails to start from hot or cold. The engine turns sluggishly or fails to turn at all

A jump lead placed between the - battery terminal and a metal part of the engine is all it needs, its perfect then. (with ignition on, glow plugs etc , there are sparks when this spare Earth is connected)

So far I have ..
replaced the main earth cable from battery to gearbox with a spare.. cleaned all contact points until shiny.
changed the starter motor

nothing different.. still a non starter..

any thoughts? should be an easy fix really... John

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 01 May 2010, 16:00

So, if you use a jump cable between the negative terminal on the battery and the gearbox its ok ?

It does still point towards your earthing then. You say you have done the gearbox to battery earth lead. It might be worth if possible trying another point on the gearbox with the earth lead, there are a few other nearby bolts you could use.

Check your gearbox (or battery) to body / shell earth too.

jimleshed · Unread post by **jimleshed** » 01 May 2010, 16:53

And why not just add another permanent earth lead directly to the engine, if that is what solves it. Its a fix and it wont do any harm!

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 01 May 2010, 17:06

thanks both..

have replaced gearbox to chassis earth (its part of the main earth cable, but a smaller gauge fly-lead)

Jim, yep think I will just do this now... cant spend much more time on it