Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Thu 2 Jun 2016 00:29
Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start - Mr McNougat

A couple of days ago the battery light came on on the dash a few times on the way home. Later it became permanently lit. The following day car used briefly a couple of times but on return home it would not restart. Battery flattened trying. Tried charging battery and it took charge but will still not start and no sound of fuel pump running. Also will not jump start. All fuses fine and garage are confused. Is there anything electrical that would stop engine starting because of an underlying fault? Hoping to avoid a trip to main dealership which may not be financially viable although car is otherwise a great runner.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 2 Jun 2016 00:33
Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start - phillip b

Car battery light is usually alternator but can be knackered battery. Does the ignition lights come on? Does it crank? Etc

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 4 Jun 2016 17:26
Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start - Bromptonaut

Does the heavy duty lead connecting battery with alternator and starter look healthy?

Don't know if Xsara has same weakness but on a Xantia of same generation it was prone to copper corrosion resulting in loss of conducting capacity. Escaping verdigris type stuff and melted insualtion were tell tale signs.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 5 Jun 2016 21:30
Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start - Mr McNougat

Battery and leads all seem good. Battery took charge from charger.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 5 Jun 2016 21:29
Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start - Mr McNougat

Thanks. Ignition light was on but refused a jump start. No fuel pump running just turning over until flat. Later at garage key light came on and windows failed and boot locked! Boot now okay! Local electrics guru to have a look but I am wondering if it may be that the alternator has died and it's had some sort of a computer brain meltdown that's blocking stuff (technical eh?!). Am left wondering even if we change the alternator would it remedy the mess?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 6 Jun 2016 14:31
Citroen Xsara 1.4 2003 - 2003 Xsara Battery Warning and Now Won't Start - Gibbo_Wirral

New battery / alternator. BSI reset and recode the key as in the manual.

Pugs and Citroens need a good 12v supply, when it drops to 11 or less odd things start happening.

For example when I change my fuel filter and partially flatten the battery as I try and get the air out of the system I get "airbag deactivated" on screen.

Edited by Gibbo_Wirral on 06/06/2016 at 14:32

Reply | Report as offensive | Link