Citroen Relay Earth Strap Issue?

[bigtwin]

My step-son had a problem with his 2007 PVC whereby five minutes after stopping (after a 10 mile drive) it wouldn’t start. I was summoned to assist with a jump start.

When I got there, I measured the starter battery voltage (on the battery terminals) at 11.8V.

I connected a Noco Boost GBX45 to the battery terminals (in the passenger footwell) and attempted to start the engine. The starter started to turn but was unable to actually turn the engine over. After a short period to allow the Noco to recover, a second attempt was made with the same result.
This suggested to me that there might be a high resistance somewhere in the electrical circuit?

I then decided to attempt a jump start via our 2.2 diesel Civic connected to the starter post in the Citroen’s engine bay with a view to ruling out any issue with the Noco and/or wiring to/from the battery. With 2k revs on the Civic a start attempt was made; same result, an attempted turnover without actually turning the engine over.
This, again suggested to me a high resistance in the electrical power circuit.

If this is indeed the case, this might also explain why his starter battery was flat (ineffective charging).

Does my diagnosis seem reasonable and do the symptoms allow a more specific diagnosis than my high level conclusion?

Any thoughts?

Ian

PS He has arranged for recovery of the vehicle.

 

[GAVLAD]

Had same issue last year in Spain.
Moved van on pitch the day before departing to have an easier exit and all was ok.
The morning after, it just would not start. Starter motor worked and all lights on dash were on/ok but engine just wouldn’t start.Tried jump leads to a car and also tried battery starter pack and eventually, it started when we put one of the leads onto the bonnet catch instead of the terminal.
A trip to the local Fiat garage and a new battery later, which did not cure the fault, they swapped the engine to chassis earth lead and hey presto, no more issues.
Hope you get it sorted.

 

[CamperManLez]

My step-son had a problem with his 2007 PVC whereby five minutes after stopping (after a 10 mile drive) it wouldn’t start. I was summoned to assist with a jump start.

When I got there, I measured the starter battery voltage (on the battery terminals) at 11.8V.

I connected a Noco Boost GBX45 to the battery terminals (in the passenger footwell) and attempted to start the engine. The starter started to turn but was unable to actually turn the engine over. After a short period to allow the Noco to recover, a second attempt was made with the same result.
This suggested to me that there might be a high resistance somewhere in the electrical circuit?

I then decided to attempt a jump start via our 2.2 diesel Civic connected to the starter post in the Citroen’s engine bay with a view to ruling out any issue with the Noco and/or wiring to/from the battery. With 2k revs on the Civic a start attempt was made; same result, an attempted turnover without actually turning the engine over.
This, again suggested to me a high resistance in the electrical power circuit.

If this is indeed the case, this might also explain why his starter battery was flat (ineffective charging).

Does my diagnosis seem reasonable and do the symptoms allow a more specific diagnosis than my high level conclusion?

Any thoughts?

Ian

PS He has arranged for recovery of the vehicle.

Coastal motorhomes will sell you the correct earth strap, remove near side headlight to change it, make sure you do a good job of cleaning the terminal contact areas with a buff or mini wire brush

 

[JimmE]

Pretty much the same symptoms we had in the first year of our van. Started perfectly every time from cold, but a warm start would be slow and then eventually not possible.

Our earth strap actually ‘looked’ fine compared to the photos I’d seen of the issue, so removed, cleaned up both ends and refitting seems to mostly resolve the problem - though I decided to fit a second (made up from some spare battery cable I already had) strap as belt and braces.

 

[bigtwin]

Coastal motorhomes will sell you the correct earth strap, remove near side headlight to change it, make sure you do a good job of cleaning the terminal contact areas with a buff or mini wire brush

That sounds about right. I could, just, see the chassis end of an earth strap on that side but couldn’t see/feel where it went.

Ian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}