my newlly aquired citreon xantia will not start on the key but will start on a tow rope ,the battery was flat but will still not start on the key

brendan, December 2007

Probably the starter motor isn't cranking the engine quickly enough to allow the diesel to start...also the current that the starter is drawing may well starve the fuel shut off solenoid on the injector pump. Try a fully charged battery, or a jump start from another car with its engine running.

John, December 2007