2000 SAXO VTS starting problem

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 08 Jan 2006, 18:17

Firstly hello my 1st post and doubt it will be my last as I own two french cars, lol. Right my 2000 VTS aint starting I suspected the plugs at first because of the symptoms which were, bad missfire while driving(no power) sometimes would cut out at speed`and it would often cut out whilst idling and then wouldnt start after cranking it, but would start 5-10mins later which made me think it was flooding and the plugs were knackered giving a weak spark hence why it wouldnt start for a while due to too much enrichment on startup. Well anyway went to start it last sunday (1st jan) and it wouldnt fire, pump was pressurizing but it just wouldnt fire. So I changed the plugs hoping it would work and exactly the same. Ive ordered a new coil pack after some advice from my mechanic and also some1 said the coil packs tend to go, but does any1 think this will cure it as Ive just shelled out £125 from GSF for the part and Ive been off the road already for a week now. The car has done 27,000 miles so seems unusual for a coil pack to go so early on in life(mind you i keep reminding myself its french). Ive also got a 1992 205 GTi 1.6 sat in my garage which wont start either which i think is down to the starter motor as I just spent £600 getting it on the road, wont be able to look at that till spring as its keeping warm in my garage as it has a tendency when left stood outside to suprise me with puddles of water in the back and a mold style interior, lol french cars but there so much fun, well thats what i keep telling myself. thanks in advance

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 08 Jan 2006, 19:56

Hmmmm, A TU engine thats difficult to start, misfires & has cut out.

Does the original coil pack have " SAGEM " on it anywhere?

If the answer is YES then you have found the problem, Fit an Electrofill coil pack & also fit only Citroen or Bosch spark plugs to this engine.

I would also clean the plunger on the idle control valve / stepper motor & also the air bypass hole the plunger slots into.

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 08 Jan 2006, 21:57

yep it does have sagem written on it, and the one replacing it is as a Sagem, does this mean im in for more bad news then?. The plugs that came out were NGK R's but couldnt get any so settled for BOSCH Super 4's. Not home till friday now so will have a try at cleaning out the stepper mottor, how easy is it to gain access to?

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 09 Jan 2006, 00:03

It is only the 8v engines that you really should use l'Electrofill coil packs,i wouldnt bother that it is a sagem coil going back into the 16v.

Horse · Post by **Horse** » 09 Jan 2006, 20:18

The car needs a coil pak and just keep reminding yourself it is a french car

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 09 Jan 2006, 21:28

wheeler wrote:It is only the 8v engines that you really should use l'Electrofill coil packs,i wouldnt bother that it is a sagem coil going back into the 16v.

The Sagem coil packs give the same amount of trouble whatever TU lump they are fitted to, It doesnt matter if its a 8 or 16 valve engine.

Sagem coil pack = I cant say those words on here because ill get banned.

16 valver, Fit the Sagem coil pack if you want, But I hope it comes with a nice warranty

Also you SHOULDNT be using NGK spark plugs in this engine, They make the misfire problem worse.

Citroen or Bosch spark plugs ONLY!

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 09 Jan 2006, 21:52

ok thanks for the advice, the NGK R plugs are the ones that came out I didnt fit them they were in the car when i got it. I have now changed to Bosch super 4 but cant comments as I aint had the damn thing running yet

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 13 Jan 2006, 18:49

update new coil pack on and bought a new battery and the dam thing still wont go, im at my wits end its been 2 weeks now and still no solution. Could it be anything to do with the fuel cut off?. Im not sure where to go next, the only sensor i can think of is the crank postition, other than that I hope it aint an ignition module fault, any help would be great.

cheers

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 14 Jan 2006, 13:42

someone must have some kind of idea???

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 14 Jan 2006, 13:51

Crank sensor failure would stop the engine running.

Also the transponder key immobiliser aerial is a favourite failure point on the Saxo.

Is the key light flashing on the dash while you are trying to start?

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 14 Jan 2006, 14:54

the light is going out on the dash for transponder chip, I tried with the spare key but the light flashes when I try to use that 1, so its not the key. have checked all fuses in engine bay and inside the car. The coil pack is not a SAGEM but its almost identical apart from 1 screw is missing to mount it to the head. I had a look at trying to get to the crank postition sensor but Im not sure where abouts it is mounted, is it worth trying to clean it up and see if it works? also does any1 have a diagram of the engine with all sensor locations etc...

thanks

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 14 Jan 2006, 16:47

Hi

You said the light is flashing on the dash?

Is the yellow key light flashing when you try to crank the engine over?

If the light is flashing when you try to turn the engine over then it means the immobiliser is still ARMED.

The crank sensor is normally located around the join between the engine & gearbox, Have a look around the top part in this area & normally has a brown connector plug with gold contacts nearby.

16valver · Post by **16valver** » 14 Jan 2006, 16:57

all lights are as normal when starting the car, its only if yout try and start the car with the spare key that the light for the key flashes.\ Ive even tried starting her on wide open throttle as thats what people have suggested but still no good. Ive disconnected my battery for now as Im going back to Swansea very pissed off that my car still wont start £150 later. Gonna try and get a mechanic to come look at it, and once its fixed may consider selling as I am not in the mood for this happening again and reading all the stories of other VTS owners it doesnt look too good for the reliability of this car.

lazokotevski · Post by **lazokotevski** » 18 Jan 2006, 14:32

Hi!
Have you replaced engine speed sensor?
Place spark plugs with one electrode instead of ones with three electrodes.