Citroen ZX 1.9D starter relay location

[Farmer Dan]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question

Anybody know where the relay is situated for the starter motor on a ZX 1.9D?

Any help will be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

Dan

[CitroJim]

Hi Dan and welcome to the forum

I'm not sure there is a starter relay as such. Wiring will be battery - fuse - ignition switch -starter solenoid...

Only an automatic will have a start inhibit relay to permit starting in P or N only...

Why do you ask? Are you finding operation of the starter motor intermittent with the solenoid just clicking at times and OK at other times?

If so, the ignition switch starter contacts may be tired - a common Xantia and XM V6 problem - where the addition of a 'helper' relay may resolve the issue.

[Farmer Dan]

Hi Jim,

Having trouble to start the old girl.

Symptoms are was starting ok a bit ago, then bit sluggish, then perfect, now just clicking.
Have taken starter off and tested new battery and bridge the starter. Motor works fine and when bridge the other way, shaft moves in and out while spinning too.

Had a new battery on but now thinking about dodgy battery but lights work ok??

Now you've said no relay it must be the battery or switch. Earth strap fine and nice and tight

Thanks for clearing up for me

Any tips appreciated Jim

[CitroJim]

One big possibility Dan, before you dive too deep, is to check the battery terminals... They are known, especially on the Xantia, to go high resistance where the heavy cables are crimped into them... Some have caused fires due to the heating caused. Check both positive and negative terminals, and also check the earth connection to the gearbox is good and clean. Just a tiny bit of resistance in the heavy starter cables and connections can cause this issue.

Two good diagnostics is to measure the voltage at the starter when attempting a start. This should be at least 11V and close to the voltage measured across the battery. If this seems OK, try running a wire, via a 30A fuse, from the battery direct to the starter solenoid terminal, thus bypassing the ignition switch and wiring... If the starter now runs lustily when this wire is just touched on the solenoid terminal then you'll know the problem is with the ignition switch and/or wiring.

A good check of high resistance battery terminals is to turn on every electrical item on the cars, including all lights, heated rear window, heater blower at full speed and so on... Then after a few minutes of this, feel the battery terminals and see if they feel warm.

If they do, there's excess resistance there... Often it can be temporarily cured by using a massive pair of pliers to crimp a bit tighter...

Let us know the result and we'll take it from there...

[Farmer Dan]

Thanks Jim

Did wire direct to starter and the starter turned over but sounded slow and with a rough/grindy noise like bearings and wouldn't fire up.

Then tuck off and thought try normal starting with ignition and fired up!!????

Is this a possible 'lazy starter' and indeed the starter is on the way out?

If so would you recommend new starter motor as this is original!! Just thinking with the slow noise and roughness it maybe the motor giving up the ghost?

Thanks so far Jim

[CitroJim]

Definitely a new starter Dan If it's original, it's not done bad!

I have no direct experience one way or another but there have been reports that some starters from Euro Car Parts have been a little problematic...

One sourced via a decent motor factors should be OK...

I have a starter sitting on my workshop bench for my Saxo.., It went a bit intermittent about two years ago and ever since I've had a spare on hand it's been faultless...

[Hell Razor5543]

It could be worth checking out GSF. They sell refurbished starter motors, and if you give them back your old motor they will give you money back on it. When I had to replace the starter motor on my C5 a motor refurbished by Bosch was around £120, and when I gave them the old motor (in the box provided with the refurbished motor) I got back about £60.

[Farmer Dan]

Thanks guys will get one ordered

Have a great week all!