Help! Won't start...

[-JUT-]

2002 Citroen Xsara VTS

Little help please? The last few times I've got in the car it has seemed reluctant to start, but this evening it just refuses. Symptoms are as follows:

- when I unlock the car - "Economy Mode On" lights up on the multifunction display
- when I turn the ignition on - all the usual lights illuminate
- turn the keys to start - engine turns over but refuses to start - single bleep from dash - an amber square symbol with a key flashes

Little help? Is this an immobiliser problem or a duff battery maybe? I was thinking the battery but the lights still turn on at full brightness. Very odd! Help!

Oh yes, the other thing is that the harzard warning lights kicking in as soon as I try to start the car, and the "Economy Mode On" warning on the centre display lights up again...

[megamaniac]

try the fuel shut off solenoid under the bonnet,this is normally what makes the hazards flash. if not probably immobiliser.

[Soton Pug]

Economy Mode On shows in my company car (Peugeot) when i leave the lights on for a while without the engine running so that may refer to the battery being low on charge. Don't now about the rest... sorry...

[-JUT-]

megamaniac said:

try the fuel shut off solenoid under the bonnet,this is normally what makes the hazards flash. if not probably immobiliser.

Where is the solenoid located?

[106 gti]

On my peugeot its a big red button near the back right hand side of the engine bay ...

[-JUT-]

Found it, on the side of the offside suspension turret. It had tripped. Think it might be because the car has the wrong battery fitted, I've just found out, much too wimpy - maybe the voltage drop trying to start it is causing things to trip, will put a beefier battery in and see if that sorts it.

[-JUT-]

Well, happily the car hasn't given me any more bother with starting... but...

I couldn't resist buying a Jaguar XJR I saw on ebay for silly money, so the VTS is up for grabs on eBay if anyone is interested!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...