Citroen Xantia (1993 - 2000) - 1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting

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Fri 31 Oct 2008 12:46
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - donnyrov
having problems cold starting my citroen xantia pls help its ok once started just first thing in mornings clould it be glow plugs as just bought it

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 31/10/2008 at 13:40

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Fri 31 Oct 2008 14:24
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - Screwloose

The glow plugs are the first thing to check. Does the relay click on at key-on and click off after 10-ish seconds? Does the dash glow-plug lamp come on?
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Fri 31 Oct 2008 14:43
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - donnyrov
thanks for reply yes the dash light comes on and relay clicks
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Fri 31 Oct 2008 15:00
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - Screwloose

Do you have access to a multi-meter?
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Fri 31 Oct 2008 15:11
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - donnyrov
thanks yes i do
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Fri 31 Oct 2008 15:46
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - Screwloose

Undo the small bolts [7 or 8mm] holding the thick wire joining all the glow-plugs; [key off and in your pocket.]

Remove the thick wire from each plug and - using the Ohms section of the meter - measure the resistance from the wire terminal of the plug to a good earth on the engine block. [Or the metal body of the plug - if accessible.]

A good plug should read very little - around 0.5-2 Ohms - a dead one will read open circuit; exactly the same reading as with the test leads disconnected.

Reconnect the thick wire before turning the key back on.
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Fri 31 Oct 2008 17:43
1994 1.9td lx having problems cold starting - Peter.N.
An easy way to check them is to watch the interior or panel lights while the plugs are in action, when the relay drops out you should see the brightness of the lamps increase slightly as the load is removed. This doesn't ensure that they are all working but does show that the system as a whole is OK.
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