HDi 2.0 8V wont start when cold - FIXED - NOT - YES

[jgra1]

hi all .. just when I need the car this week to help me move house, it wont start.,.,

came home from a 2000 mile trip to France yesterday,, car faultless as ever, except yesterday morning took about 50 turns before she started,., temp about 5C, not felt since 6 months ago.,,

this morning outside home nothing at all.. about 5C again I guess..,,

I keep reading conflicting posts about the glow plugs not really needed on an HDi? Also, about the chances of a plug shearing.. and about weak batteries.. and glow plug relays, and lift pumps and,,

no lexia
is it worth swapping the 4 plugs anyway, just to rule that out?
I could try and jump start as well, which may prove the battery...
Is there a way to see if the plugs are getting power, like the TD, to prove the relay,,

John

[addo]

Can't fumble around the back with a test light/lead?

Cars have an impeccable sense of timing. You know this one's a good'un because it returned to base before failing. That defines a keeper, to me.

Would it catch and run on a squirt of ether?

I will point out, none of these problems existed before you fitted the part-worns. QED

[jgra1]

may try those things addo..
when it did start yesterday morning, it didn't do what the TD used to do when glow plugs suspect, I.e. smoke and run unevenly.., don't really want to risk changing plugs if they are not the obvious problem..
I am leaning towards battery,, even though it sounds like it turns over fine.. if power is not getting to injectors for example, that could cause similar symptoms...


hey they were brand new tyres, !! so glad I fitted them.., about 5 hours of torrential rain yesterday on the toll roads, and snow the day before.. the old boots would have ended things very quickly,

[isisalar]

I connected jump leads to mine once to start the wifes 106. I now have an airbag light on, an mot failure. All those ecu's dont like current spikes at all. From past responses to similar problems a new/known good battery often solves the problem, jump starts could well make things worse. IIRC the starter needs to get up to a certain speed for the engine to fire and with a slightly duff battery it cant.
Best of luck
Paul

[jgra1]

thanks Paul..

interestingly, the airbag warning light did come on yesterday, after the 50 turns when it started.. ...
it went off after a warm restart later in the day,,,,

landlady has a green version of my blue car, lol.. will nick her battery later,, doing a soft reset on both cars,,

[Northern_Mike]

may try those things addo..
when it did start yesterday morning, it didn't do what the TD used to do when glow plugs suspect, I.e. smoke and run unevenly.., don't really want to risk changing plugs if they are not the obvious problem..
I am leaning towards battery,, even though it sounds like it turns over fine.

Starter motor. I had this with the Berlingo last winter. Replaced the battery, it didn't make a bit of difference. Glow plugs were ok according to Lexia. After much head scratching I asked my friend at Savoy. Straight away he said starter motor, and was proved correct when I swapped a known good one onto the car.

[jgra1]

grr.. ok Mike.,,

would a starter give more problems when engine/temp cold.., guess it would.,.,

hmm

may as well do a batt swap anyway, as its free,,
if it does prove to be starter, may nick hers and give her a starting handle

[Peter.N.]

They will normally start OK without the glow plugs providing they are being turned over fast enough, a failing starter or battery could make it difficult. When my C5 wouldn't start I had to replace the HP fuel pump! That was difficult to start from cold but almost impossible when hot so if yours starts OK when hot that's probably not the problem.

Peter

[isisalar]

Hope the battery swop does the trick for you. If it doesn't and you do need a starter motor I can thoroughly recommend these chaps :- http://www.sahibs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; They are unbeatable in this area for price, I recently used them for about the 4th time(different vehicles) for a new alternator. Unusually they offer a complete remove, exchange and re fit service while you wait. I can thoroughly recommend the lunch box curry meal from the next door restaurant too. Their online only prices look to be pretty good as well.
They're right on the Hanger lane roundabout, junction of A40 and A 406 north circular.
You were lucky with the airbag light, that's something that's got to be sorted on mine before the mot about February.
Best of luck with it.
Cheers
Paul

[jgra1]

thanks paul.. a curry while you wait sounds a good move to me

bit of a schlep from here at J6 but could go for it.. will try the battery swap later

[isisalar]

If you can avoid the morning and evening rush hours, being on major roads, the traffic is not usually that bad, I wouldn't bother with the south circular though. PM me if you are going to go. You could get stuck on the north circular for a good few miles if the wrong turning was taken. From your way a U turn is needed through Mc Donalds LOL. Food on all sides.
Cheers
Paul

[jgra1]

no news... took battery out carefully last night.. but couldn't swap with landlady as she needed her car for an important airport run.. so I thought I would charge mine.,, but the charger is somewhere in storage :O
for what its worth, the voltage on the battery was 12.4ish this am, and the green circle test thing was present.., however, when trying to turn her over again, the display on the LCD screen was dimming.. I just cant remember if that is normal for a C5 having never noticed it before.. hoping to try her battery later (Hers is brand new)

[Peter.N.]

Everything will dim because the voltage will fall considerably when you engage the starter, does it sound as though its turning it over fast enough?

Peter

[jgra1]

yes it does Peter,, sounds same as ever,
I have just brought a service kit and a new battery from ECP for delivery tomorrow.,, fingers crossed,,, although I am only 50/50 its the battery...

[Stickyfinger]

although I am only 50/50 its the battery...

I'll take that bet and give you odds of 85-1 on the battery...toes crossed