Xsara Picasso clicking noise when starting

jessmist

Hi,
I have a 08 xsara picasso 1.6hdi and sometimes when i go to start the car when i turn the key i get like a fast clicking noise before the car finally fires up.
This doesn't happen all the time.
I have had the battery checked and that was ok.
I am taking it to the dealer on Monday as it is still within its 12 month approved warranty.
I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this before?
could this be the starter motor starting to fail?

Thanks

oldhand

could be the solenoid in the starter motor or check the earth strap from the battery where its fixed to the car body to see if its corroded there.Try taking it off, rub it with a piece of sandpaper and smear of vaseline and replace.

jessmist

oldhand wrote: »

could be the solenoid in the starter motor or check the earth strap from the battery where its fixed to the car body to see if its corroded there.Try taking it off, rub it with a piece of sandpaper and smear of vaseline and replace.

Thanks for the info.
will have to have a look at the battery tomorrow but will have to read the hand book first as the battery is under the passenger seat and i am not sure how to get to it.

Nagme

Just a point on having your battery tested - if you have just driven the car prior to the test it may give you a more optomistic result. As I discovered last week.

If the starting problems are worse on cold mornings, and it starts up fine within an hour or so of being previously used, it might suggest the battery is failing.

Definately get the dealer to check it out though, otherwise if you go poking with it yourself, they may try to suggest you caused the problem. If the dealer diagnoses that the battery should be replaced, and it's not covered under your warranty, do visit a local autofactors and fit a new one yourself - this is likely to be cheaper than getting the dealer to do it.

Protect new battery contacts with a generous application of vaseline to prevent corrosion.

thefishdude

the clicking noise is the solinoid for the starter motor firing to engage the engine and start it, how ever its firing but then not turning the engine which is why you just hearing a click. now that will either be some sort of fault with the electric in the starter or maybe not enough juice comming from the battry to turn the engine over.

Quiet_Spark

jessmist wrote: »

Hi,
I have a 08 xsara picasso 1.6hdi and sometimes when i go to start the car when i turn the key i get like a fast clicking noise before the car finally fires up.

It's either a failing battery or a loose connection on the battery leads

red_eye

oldhand wrote: »

could be the solenoid in the starter motor or check the earth strap from the battery where its fixed to the car body to see if its corroded there.Try taking it off, rub it with a piece of sandpaper and smear of vaseline and replace.

and then it the starter with a hammer to shock the solinode free

jessmist

Thanks for all the replies.
haven't used the car today but i am going to the garage in the morning to get it checked out.
Will post back when i have more info.

Thanks

jessmist

Hi,
Turns out the Fault was a connection on the battery was a bit corroded.
The mechanic has cleaned the connection and all seems well now.

red_eye

jessmist wrote: »

Hi,
Turns out the Fault was a connection on the battery was a bit corroded.
The mechanic has cleaned the connection and all seems well now.

some times the simplest of things are overlooked;)

Stooby2

and then it the starter with a hammer to shock the solinode free

They'll be lucky if they can see the starter let alone hit it on a French car.