99 Xantia Electrics Just Gone Weired!

[Guest sellit]

Hi all, I have yet another problem with this 1.8I estate. Already had a new battery last year due to poor starting and cleaned out the idle control vlave thingy to cure intermittent stalling at idle, cleaned connections under seats to get air bag light to go out, and replaced front spheres so we didn't get bounced through the roof.

Thought I had finally got it to a reasonable state of repair, and in a good reliable condition, ha ha.

Now today it wasn't as keen to start as usual, but did start and run ok, travelled about a mile and stopped it, went to restart and while cranking the speedo and tacho jumped around wildly and the other gauges fell to zero, wasn't at all keen to start but did eventually, running fairly rough to start with, then after a bit of right foot therapy it smoothed out, but doesn't have the power it did have before the problem. I think the battery is fully charged but it does crank slower than it used to, Also the tacho is now stuck as far clockwise as it can get.

Any one got any ideas, or should I just dig a big hole and push it in it?

 

Thanks..

[mike s]

I have just had the same problem except that after fitting a new battery the car will not start at all, but gauges are jumping around madly.

Anyone have any ideas

[techbod]

is the alternator ok because if its giving out too much power because of bad carbon brushes it will fry the battery and then the electrics,

 

there are 2 sides to a battery ( CCA ) cold cranking amps and the battery 12v side so it might look like its got good power but if it cranks slow then the CCA is low and you could have a power drain somewhere

[kfk]

Go back to basics and make sure the connectors fit tight to the battery and that the cable isnt corroded where it enters the connectors.

 

Also check earths to the body of the vehicle and the gearbox.

 

If you have a jump lead knocking about put the clamp on the negative battery clamp (not wire) and the other end to the gearbox/engine casing.....if your problems are resolved suspect the negative lead/connections.

 

Try a similar check with the positive lead (but dont touch it on the engine/gearbox)...follow to where the positive lead goes.....usually fuse box and starter motor, see if bypassing the wire to the battery resolves the problem.