Citroen XM Forum

I also hear a clicking sound when this happens and to my ear it's the solenoid trying to pull. Someone a long time ago had a topic about this problem on the Finnish Citroen forum and even though he didn't find the problem he found that the solenoid gets power but not enough to engage the starter. Mine usually does this when the engine bay is hot and that's enough to make a bad connection.

Of course, it's not unusual for the starter to fail. How many miles has it done?

Use a jump wire from the solenoid Ign contact to Batt+ve to test the starter.

Mine was doing this and turning slowly, which a strip and clean fixed both issues. I suspect e brushes were sticking in their guides.

It has done 162k miles, the starter looks like it has been reconditioned already as it is painted black all over. I think a strip down and clean up is the way forward, depending on what I find..

Citjon wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:41 am

It has done 162k miles, the starter looks like it has been reconditioned already as it is painted black all over. I think a strip down and clean up is the way forward, depending on what I find..

I suspect it will be the later, smaller Mitsubishi starter motor, in which case it is very likely to have been reconditioned already. The early Valeo ones are incredibly robust.

Dieselman wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:03 am

Citjon wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:41 am

It has done 162k miles, the starter looks like it has been reconditioned already as it is painted black all over. I think a strip down and clean up is the way forward, depending on what I find..

I suspect it will be the later, smaller Mitsubishi starter motor, in which case it is very likely to have been reconditioned already. The early Valeo ones are incredibly robust.

Thanks Will, are they fully interchangeable? I think I've got a spare Valeo one somewhere - do you know the part numbers?

Not sure, they have a differing number of teeth on the pinion.

Edit: disconnected the Textron alarm unit and the indicator is no longer stuck on.

Resurrecting the car after the winter lay up, I decided to strip down the starter motor. It looks like a Valeo unit, probably a D7R8 although the label has been removed or painted over so can't say for certain. Some Mitsubishi / Bosch ones look very similar. The brushes were OK and cleaned up well along with the commutator. The solenoid is a sealed unit so cleaned it where I could and refitted it.

Fitting it back on the car it has worked perfectly 9 times out of 10, so either the solenoid is dodgy or I need to do the relay mod. I will see how it goes over the next few weeks before pulling it off again.

Another interesting fault appeared in the form of a permanently lit driver's side indicator. After a bit of research on the forum it sounds like the alarm bitron unit is the culprit. Left indicator works fine but hazards don't, plus it comes on as soon as the battery is connected. Fingers crossed it will be a quick fix, the siren is no longer working so disconnecting the alarm isn't an issue.

I'm hoping to take it down to the D Rally at Little Horwood this weekend, so haven't got long to chase wiring faults. It could really do with an engine and gearbox oil change too, on time rather than mileage.

Some interesting developments after a successful trip to the D Rally (and back).

Firstly I've found that turning the ignition key harder to the start position results in better starting, which indicates it is the switch at fault. Extra relay mod definitely required.

Secondly the battery light has now decided to stay on permanently so the alternator will be coming off. At least it didn't leave us stranded in Milton Keynes!

Onwards and upwards, possibly!

Alternator removal wasn't the easiest but it came out eventually. Required loosening of high pressure pipes and removal of the oil filter. Worst bit was squeezing it out between the pump and top radiator hose. Almost forgot to release pressure at the regulator, that would have been a bit messy... Anyway once stripped down the slip ring has definitely seen better days. The brushes didn't look too bad considering it is probably the original unit.
The bearings feel OK, however, you can buy a rebuild kit with slip ring, brushes and new bearings for around £13.
Just to keep me on my toes the climate a/c panel has also gone awol. Could this be related? Had a quick poke around and found fuse F2 has been "professionally" upgraded to a separate 40A fuse. Will see if it revives itself when the alternator is fixed.

There is an "engine running relay" which takes its signal from the alternator and disables the A/C, heated seats and heated rear window, so probably related.