Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking

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Mon 24 Nov 2014 18:20
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - ndevans

I am having difficulty starting my car in the resent cold whether. When i turn the ignition the car cranks slowly struggling to start but usually does start. Once it has started it will start fine for the rest of the day even if i turn the engine staight off after the initial start and restart it. It only struggles in the morning when the engine is cold say 10c or below.

i thought it might be the battery so i got a new heavy duty one for the picasso but the problem remains.

Today the temp was below zero and it would not start at all, it cranked over extremly slowly, so slowly i would hardly call it cranking! Tried to jump start it but no change to the cranking speed. Luckly i live on a hill and bump started it, it bump started fine. As soon as i bump started it i pulled over and turned off the ignition and restarted it and it started fine?

Ive checked the earth connection to the body and they seem fine no corrosion.

Im thinking its possibly the started motor but dont understand why it would start fine after bump starting as the engine would still be cold? And if the temp it warm enough i have no issues?

Has anyone encountered this before?

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Mon 24 Nov 2014 19:54
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - elekie&a/c doctor

If you are happy that all the connections to the starter and chassis are good,then i would think the starter motor is at fault.Once the engine has started,oil has found its way around and makes the next start easier with reduced friction.

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Mon 24 Nov 2014 23:15
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - Peter.N.

I would agree, feel the battery connections when you have been trying to start it and see if they are hot. Check the voltage across the battery with the starter engaged and then check it across the starter,if there is a lot of difference you probably have a poor connection somewhere, if not it will be the starter.

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Mon 24 Nov 2014 23:58
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - ndevans

Thanks for the replies.

Ive checked the earths connected to the body on left and right side, not checked connection to the starter motor. To be honest i cant see where it is located. I think its at the back of engine but cannot see it from the top of engine. Going to take it to garage in the morning for them to have a look at it. On the phone he said it could possibly be a lazy starter motor?

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Tue 25 Nov 2014 08:24
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - Railroad.

There is no such thing as a lazy starter motor. How many times have we heard this before? The starter motor is an electric motor like any other, and works in exactly the same way. There's nothing special about it just because it happens to be fitted to a car.

You need to carry out some volt-drop tests on the battery positive to the starter motor, and also on the engine/chassis earth back to the battery negative using a voltmeter. Also volt-drop test the starter solenoid. Voltage drop must not exceed 0.5v under load. If any of these tests show more than 0.5v you will have found your problem. Any good garage or technician should know how to do this.

Edited by Railroad. on 25/11/2014 at 08:27

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Tue 25 Nov 2014 13:44
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - Peter.N.

These starter motors do contain a reduction drive and if the grease has dried up or gone hard that can slow the motor.

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Tue 25 Nov 2014 14:26
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - Railroad.
That would show up on a cranking amps test. The harder the motor is forced to work the more current it will draw. I'd consider the starter motor on a cold petrol engine to draw a maximum of 150 amps. Less than that when it's warm.
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Thu 27 Nov 2014 10:23
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol 2001 - slow cranking - ndevans

Well got the car back and they have replaced the started motor, it now starts without any problems. Thanks for all your advice.

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