405 TD Resurrection

[evilally]

This old lady has been in my garage for 2 years without being started. I'm keen to get it moved out to make way for my broken 406, but I can't get it started. The starter motor turns very slowly, if I persist I get a puff of smoke from the negative terminal connector on the battery so obviously something is getting very hot. Battery is a newish Bosch S5 with a fresh charge. I whipped the starter out and cleaned up the solenoid connectors and bench tested it, it spins fine and doesn't draw excess current when doing so. I've removed and cleaned the gearbox earth connector. I'm convinced it's an earth issue, but I'm not sure what is the next likely culprit, any pointers? I seem to be collecting Peugeots that won't start.

[CitroJim]

High resistance in the battery clamp Ally... Getting a very common Xantia problem now...

[Peter.N.]

As Jim says, the clue is in the smoke, fit some new battery terminals, it will do it the world of good.

Peter

[spider]

Another vote for the terminals, usually can get warm too. 205 did this (it had those factory fitted plastic 'wing' type quick release nuts) , removed and replaced with a standard clamp no problems afterwards.

Slightly covered here too > http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 11&t=43319" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[evilally]

Thanks guys, I actually read that sticky in the Citroen forum a few minutes after posting! I'm going to out and investigate now.

[evilally]

Bah.....

Terminal wires looked in good health. I hooked up the positive and negative leads from the battery directly to the starter with jump leads and shorted the solenoid to spin it. Same unenthusiastic result. So despite running fine on the bench, it seems it's not up to the task of spinning an engine. That probably means that instead of a well earned long lie tomorrow morning I'll be out foraging in scrap yards for a replacement

[Peter.N.]

If its the type of starter with a reduction gear, taking it apart, cleaning and greasing it will often restore it to life.

Peter

[addo]

Xantia one will fit; some later models have a different terminal on the solenoid but that's about all.

[evilally]

I nicked a starter off a scrap 406 this morning and fitted it. She fired into life no problem and ran perfectly like she was started yesterday. A real buzz firing up an old diesel that's been sitting all this time She's a long long way from being drivable but I have big plans for this old lady, I'll start a thread when there is progress to report.

[Peter.N.]

Very nice car the 405 td especially the estate, there are still quite a number on the road down here. The 406 is even better but not as easy to repair.

Peter