Citroen Xsara Starting problems

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Fri 30 Jan 2004 23:01
Citroen Xsara Starting problems - jlo
Hi,

My wife has owned her Citroen Xsara from new (Jan 2000) Been serviced once a year and never missed a beat.

About 5 weeks ago the car was parked up for a couple of days (Hard frosts). Tried to start the car. The engine spun (I think more slowly) the dials went mad (Tacho meter went up to red line and back before engine started) and then when it did fire the engine imediatly died.

Managed to get going by giving it some throttle and reving it.

Went in for sercice. Asked to check Battery and Alternator and told all OK.

Fine since but has been parked up all week with the cold weather and same thing happened today. It did start after 20 goes!

I was wondering if the battery is weak under cold weather and once it gets going it quickly charges, or could it be cold start mechinism.

Every time its been cold and left for more than a couple of days.

Any ideas greatly received?

Cheers

Jlo
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Sat 31 Jan 2004 19:21
Citroen Xsara Starting problems - Greg R
Assuming it is an injector car, I think the battery is the problem. Same is with my scooter. If it is a diesel, best to get a heavy duty sealed battery and it should then start better.
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Sat 31 Jan 2004 22:18
Citroen Xsara Starting problems - jlo
Thanks for that!

My instinct is its battery as well. I will wait for the next cold snap and see what happens. Garage ensures me that its OK.

Cheers.

Jlo
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