xsara picasso 05 2ltr petrol Automatic. Plus and minus ?

[jerseykevsweden]

Hi folks,

l am a little bewildered. In the engine compartment, in the middle-ish off to the right, there is a plastic piece with a plus and minus on it.
I am assuming this is if you need to connect jump cables unless someone tells me no its not for that. But what I don't understand, when l connect a volt multimeter, I get no reading which I find strange as if there is no power going to those two cables. I did put a little grease on them but surely that would not stop a reading. I appreciate a reply.

[Paul-R]

A photo might help identification if you can take one.

[Michel]

Hi folks,

l am a little bewildered. In the engine compartment, in the middle-ish off to the right, there is a plastic piece with a plus and minus on it.
I am assuming this is if you need to connect jump cables unless someone tells me no its not for that. But what I don't understand, when l connect a volt multimeter, I get no reading which I find strange as if there is no power going to those two cables. I did put a little grease on them but surely that would not stop a reading. I appreciate a reply.

It is for that, but I also get no reading on my HDi version. When I've had to use jump cables on it, I attach the + terminal to the positive , and use the engine mount on the opposite side of the engine to clamp my earth cable to.

[jerseykevsweden]

Thanks, Still pretty strange no reading.

[GiveMeABreak]

There should be 2 terminals there - remote connections to the battery under the seat. This is what I have on this - but according to this you should be able to both charge and read the battery status - but as mentioned - don't use the earth behind the bonnet lock:

Figure ?: Location of the ancillaries battery:
The ancillaries battery is located under the driver’s seat
A remote terminal block (positive terminal and earth) is located under the bonnet (at "b")

CAUTION : Do not use the earth that is behind the bonnet securing hook; this screw being painted, it cannot be used for checking the ancillaries battery.

Figure ? : Checking the ancillaries battery using either a battery tester or a voltmeter (at "a"):

• Open the flap for access to the remote positive terminal
• Check the state of charge of the ancillaries battery using either a battery tester or a voltmeter (the black probe on the remote earth and the red probe on the remote positive terminal)
• Close the flap for access to the remote positive terminal

Figure ?: Recharging the service battery:

• Open the flap for access to the remote positive terminal
• Connect a Marque-approved charger to the ancillaries battery at "b" (the black cable on the remote earth and the red cable on the remote positive terminal)
• Using the approved charger, commence the recharging of the ancillaries battery, keeping to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Close the flap for access to the remote positive terminal

[jerseykevsweden]

thanks for all the replies much appreciated in understanding now.

[jerseykevsweden]

Just a quick query on the matter. now I know that you only get a reading when you put the earth to the chassis or somewhere on the engine. and put the plus on the plus. When l initially said that there was a plus and minus in the engine compartment. l noticed today that it is only 2 pluses. And that's why l wasn't getting a reading Because l took it for plus and minus. Can someone explain why it is 2 pluses that sit together ??