Xsara Starting Problem Please Help

[JOLLEE]

Please can anyone help I am desparate. I own a 1990 (x reg) 2.0 HDI Diesel estate and it turns over but will not start. The car turns over and the problem appears to be as if there is no fuel. The RAC tested the pump (working) and suggested that there was resistance in one of the wires leading to the pump. I took it to a garage of a (supposed) car electrical expert who was unable to find any wiring faults. However for some reason the car started but now appeared to show intermittant instrument light display and electric windows working. The car failed to start again after using for one day and went back into the garage. Garage suggested that the fault was the BSI unit. This was sent to a spealist refurb and diagnostics company who could not find any faults on the BSI which would cause the car not to start although they suggested it might be a software issue.

 

I have since had the BSI back and re-fittted to the car and has been starting. However 2 weeks later and the problem is back. So far I have spent £150 plus on diagnostics alone and the car still has the fault.

 

Can anyone help please.

 

Thanks

[dauntless]

I've got the same problem! Have you had any success in sorting it out yet? I suspect computer problems - v.expensive and v. hard to diagnose. Any feedback welcome.

[c5 novice]

I've got the same problem! Have you had any success in sorting it out yet? I suspect computer problems - v.expensive and v. hard to diagnose. Any feedback welcome.

 

Hi,

 

Although my name is "C5 novice" I actually still drive a 2001 XSARA 2.0 HDI. (I was thinking of getting a C5).

 

I have also had similar problems with starting as you described. It seems as if there is no fuel. That's because the fuel pump on top of the tank does not get the signal to pump fuel to the engine.

 

I have had it at the dealer's 4 times, twice there was a broken wire, but the last two times it had to do with the brown relay (under the bonnet near the windscreen roughly in the middle). It seemed that if it was disconnected after a problem it reset itsself and works fine again. I don't understand why or how this happpens. Perhaps this might help someone who has the same problem.

 

If anyone can shine more light on this one it would be greatly appreciated. Peter

[c5 novice]

Hi,

 

Car wouldn't start again this morning...AARGHH!!

However, I took the brown relay mentioned above out and stuck it back in and it worked again!! Don't know why, but it's working. Maybe this will work for others too! All the best! Peter