C5 2003 2.0 HDI 110 intermittent non starting

[Lozzab23]

Hi all,
We have had our C5 for 8 years and no real problems. Three weeks ago it did the school run then refused to start. It will crank but not fire. I was away and it waited two days before I could look, it started for me and was fine all day, but refused to start the following day. I suspected fuel pump in tank so replaced it but still no joy. Car was towed to a local diesel specialist who charged me £180 to sort wiring to fuel lift pump in tank ( I cannot see where they have and suspect they have not) and also appears to have changed fuel pump fuse F2 and also engine control relay fuse F8.
Car ran ok for two weeks then repeated problem on Saturday but again was fine on Sunday up until this morning when again it refused to start.
any assistance or advice great fully received.
ECU system is Siemens type
I have considered going down the route of the chinese lexia tools on ebay but some say not usable with C5 and others say ok. I have no feel for which is best and advise here also willingly accepted.

[Hell Razor5543]

First, welcome aboard. Second, where are you located? There are members who already have Lexia systems who may be able to help;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 19&t=29178" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jgra1]

lozza , same problem, same car, same engine...

more news tomorrow

John

[Lozzab23]

Hi Hell Razor, Thankyou for the reply, I am in Romsey Hampshire.
cheers
L

[jgra1]

L

Brought a lexia on the bay for 79£ - works fine.. don't think its a clone either.. the seller is on another post of mine, will dig it out (JJDIAGNOSTICS)

My C5 has ran perfectly for a year and a half , and then without warning wouldn't start in Mid October in France on a morning of 5C.. this has continued until this morning. some days it would go, some it wouldn't.. problem seemed to relate to cold weather and / or periods without use (I.e. overnight)
Possible problems are many, but I would buy a can of easy start and spray for a second into the MAf sensor/intake area - if the car starts and runs well then that could be significant.. - I have been running mine like this now for a month, takes about 10 seconds to undo the pipe and spray, then off I go..

If engine turning over too slowly, it wont start, battery or starter motor could be to blame (I have a brand new battery if you need one, it wasn't my problem)
Glow plugs.. fdont think they will cause this problem, but I removed and checked mine, one was duff so I replaced - the plugs certainly get a positive feed on cold mornings, suggesting they do something for HDi's .. got 3 spare new ones if that helps you

I changed fuel and air filters.. fuel filter housing had metallic objects in, often indicative of the HP (and/or low P / lift pump) failing

Finally last night I threw a cheap second hand High P pump on, took an hour or so,. car now starts after 3 turns of engine..

Lexia.. Useful to have.. although I don't know at the time of writing that it pin pointed my problem or saved me any money not buying things I didn't need.. I cant cant answer that right now... but, for £80, still suggest you cant do without one, especially if you carry on buying PSA cars in future, as I think I will

John..

ps brother used to live in Chilworth, down the road I think,.

[Lozzab23]

Apologies first post said Siemens ECU. I was wrong its Bosch, the fuse board is Siemens.
Ok might be getting somewhere,checked feed to in tank pump and that was dead as a dodo, not even a priming feed with ignition in position 1, this only lasts 2-3 seconds then cuts out, I believe it stays this way until cranking begins as it primes/ raised pressures in the low pressure side of the fuel system pre starting (please correct me if this is wrong anyone).
Removed and checked all fuses then started on the three large multi plug connectors on top of the engine bay fuse board. The middle one appeared to have a corroded pin which is by chance the pink feed wire (235) to the in tank pump. Have cleaned and given it a squirt of AC90 and I have a working fuel pump . Problem now is the battery is so badly discharged from start attempts it not cranking very fast and the volt drop is causing the screen to blank out.
Battery is now on charge and will report more tomorrow.

[Lozzab23]

Battery charged and fitted after work this evening, turned over a couple of times and rumbled into life. corrosion on the feed terminal to the in tank fuel pump at the fuse box end. Middle multi plug of the three, pink wire, code 235.
Relief at last