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xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:29 pm
by adam03031980
hi all
i have now changed to a xsara hdi 90 so my wife can drive however in the mornings its a bit more difficult to start in the morning and is lumpy i took it to a garage and they tested the car advising me the glowplug relay needs replacing which i can get for £30 but does that sound right i only wonder as the engine was warm when i got there and wasnt sure if the relay would still come on when warm he said there was no power getting to the plugs but there was power going into the relay
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:36 pm
by omega
got a hdi 90 here and if the relay is the same[and i can find it or you know where it is] you can have it for a tenner
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:10 pm
by jasper5
Very easy to check the relay.....
Put a jump lead on the positive battery terminal and place the other end on a glow plug end...get someone to turn on the engine after waiting a few seconds, if it starts nicely the relay is faulty.
Another way is to place a thick wire/solid piece of metal across the terminals of the relay and get someone to start the engine, if it starts nicely the relay is faulty.
Be careful not to keep the wire/metal on there too long.
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:40 pm
by adam03031980
right changed all the glow plugs as they were all shot, checked relay turned the key when cold no reading at first new plug but 13.5 volts when cranking it over is this normal as i understand the plugs come on for smooth running when cold. i have also read that it could be some sort of temp sensor any ideas.
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:04 pm
by Doggy
Are you sure your lift pump is running every time?
The glow plug behaviuor you describe is probably normal, (minimal preheat unless it's about -10 deg. or less, but energised during & for maybe 30 seconds after starting).
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:07 pm
by adam03031980
no its not that as its not a pump just a sender unit but keep reading about temp sensors which is making me think it could be that
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:27 pm
by adam03031980
ive also noticed today that when its cold its chucks out a plume of white smoke after struggling to start but has new glow plugs
Re: xsara hdi 90 cold start issue is it relay
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:42 am
by martint
Is your starter motor quick enough to get it started? Mines is slow & takes a longcrank to get her started