Starter Motor, Stater Motor will not engage - no power

[Citroenfan]

The joy of owning an XM......

Car has been running well (exception of the that bloody A/C heater fan going south - brushes) until a couple of days ago. Came home from a longish drive, pulled into the drive way and turn off. Had to move a few minutes later and when I hit the 'start' position the only thing that happened was that the starter motor spun like mad and would not stop until I removed the earth from the battery. Reconnected the battery (key out of the ignition switch) and stater started spinning again - but not engaging the motor. Left over night, same problem next morning.

Figuring (never a good thing) that some thing might have gone sour with the solenoid, pulled starter and took to a local auto electric shop. Motor tested just fine. Re-installed today and now nothing. Checking with a VOM I get no voltage on the feed wires (2) to the stater solenoid. Those are the two 8/10 gauge wires attached to the threaded post on the solenoid. And as I had to disconnect the battery to stop the damn thing, no codes to read either…… Additionally checked fuses and all are OK.

Anyone have any ideas, bright or otherwise. Bad relay somewhere? - Problem with the ignition switch itself?…… FWIW all 4 of the small relays mounted in the computer housing seem to be working just fine. Can feel them energize when the ignition is turned on.

TIA

Steve in California - USA ;

[Citroenfan]

Get it sorted out - funky solenoid was the initial problem - would give power to the starter motor but would engage the ring gear and would not release when power was removed via the ignition switch. The other problem that occurred was due to a sticking, I guess the best word for it, inhibition switch for the auto tranny. All working now as it should.

Steve

[Peter.N.]

Good to hear, thought that was likely the problem.

Peter