2000 Xsara Picasso 1.6I Petrol Hard To Start When Cold

[wuforn]

Hi i am having problems with starting my xsara picasso when the engin is cold. The engin turns over very slowly like the battery is flat but usually starts after a few attemps. However now that the temperature has dropped it would not start at all. I purchased a new battery and the results are the same. but once it has started i can turn the engin off and back on again and it starts no problem? 

 

Has any one got any idea what could be causing the problem?

 

Thanks

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Check the battery voltage before trying to start the engine in case it is being discharged by something. It should be about 12.5 volts, any lower and there may be a problem. Also check the battery is the right size and not under powered. Then check the wiring from the battery to the starter motor and the engine earth wire and the connections. Check the engine oil is the right spec and not too viscous. If all these checks are ok then maybe the starter motor is the problem and needs overhauling or replacing.

[wuforn]

Thanks for the reply.

 

Having checked the battery the garage put the wrong size battery on so I have had that changed. It appears to be starting better but I wont know for sure until the temp drops a bit more.

 

Where does the earth connect to the body? I don't appear to see where it connects?

 

Engine oil looks black, so I will replace that. I am not sure that last time the spark plugs have been changed so I will do that (ive only had it a few months) Looking at the manual it appears that you need to take the coils off to change the plugs, is it worth changing the coils and leads while I am doing the spark plugs?

Edited October 24, 2014 by wuforn

[paul.h]

A look in the Haynes manual suggests the body to engine earth wire is connected on the gearbox. I would think the battery to body earth wire will connect somewhere near the battery.

 

Engine oil will always look black since it is not possible to remove all of it when it is changed, so if it was replaced recently then it should not need changing.

 

The ignition coil cassette can be checked whilst it is off the car to replace the plugs. Look at the terminals at the top of the spark plug rubber boots to see if there is any corrosion. On our last C3 the metal terminals had corroded so I replaced it but there had not been any running problems, more of a precaution since I had read they are prone to failure. Also check the wiring connector to it is in good condition but there are no plug leads to worry about. Unless there is any misfiring, then I would not bother replacing the coil since they can be expensive.