C8 2.2HDI refuses to start

[Lyngaas]

Hello,

Our C8 2.2 refuses to start, the glow light does not light, the engine turns over and has enough juice left in the battery to start but nothing.

Any tips as to where we should start looking?

[demag]

Has it been running ok?

[wheeler]

Did it cut out whilst driving or would it just not start one day ? can you hear the fuel pump in the tank running for a second or two when you first turn the ignition on ?
I would try a sniff of easy start up the air intake to see if it at least kicks on that.

[Lyngaas]

Its been acting up due to what is most likely a failing battery, but never had a issue starting it. Started rather easy imo.
Ill check the fuel pump

[Lyngaas]

Ok so, car gets fuel. Battery is OK. no glow lamp? and the engine turns over.

Where to start looking?

[zs&tas]

Hi, it does not need the glows unless it is really really cold. Fuel, compression, and turning speed is what it needs. Have you tryed to jump start it ?

[Lyngaas]

its winter here in norway, sub 10 celcius. Tried starting it by releasing clutch while rolling, no joy.

[Hell Razor5543]

I would test the glow plugs. I do not know what their electrical resistance is, but I do know how to test them out of the engine. However, you will need to be VERY careful, as (if they are working) they will get very hot very quickly.

Carefully remove the glow plugs. Check their electrical resistance, to see if any are open circuit (if any are, replace them). Mount the remaining glow plugs into something that will hold them securely, and can handle great heat. You will also need to have access to the body and the power nipple of the glow plug, as well as to be able to see the whole of the hot end. Remove any flammable material from the area. Once you are happy it is safe to proceed, apply power to the glow plugs. The 'hot' end should glow, and only at the tip. If it glows in the middle it is also faulty.

I know that this works, as a different forum member had issues with his car starting. When he tested them all the glow plugs were faulty, and when he replaced them the problem went away.

[Lyngaas]

Should have added this in an earlier post but the glow plugs were replaced a year ago so the problem has to lie either in the power delivery or somewhere else?

[Hell Razor5543]

Ah, OK. I would use a multi meter (on DC volts, 20V range) to see if the glow plugs are getting power. Do NOT use the amperage range (unless it is a multi meter for vehicles), as it will NOT be able to handle the load.

[Hell Razor5543]

I have just had what might be a silly thought, but it could well be worth checking. Do all of the light bulbs in the instrument panel work? If you are not sure, check them out. This may seem like a silly thing to do (and hard work), but if (for example) the battery light on the instrument panel fails the alternator will stop working, as the light bulb is part of the 'exciter' circuit. I do not know how this works, or why the light bulb has this effect, but I know it does. I wonder if there is a similar issue with the starting circuitry?