C5 Hdi, engine light on won't start

[Peter.N.]

I'm in trouble again only its the C5 this time. Was running fine last time I used it but its been parked up for a couple of months, battery flat. When I eventually managed to get the drivers door and bonnet open I put a fairly decent battery on it and have done a BSI reset - still doesn't go, I tried it with the fast charger across the battery in case it wasn't turning fast enough, turned faster but still wont start.

Help!

Peter

[Paul-R]

Any bongs of doom sounding? Any messages, such as Immobiliser Fault, from the centre display panel?

[Peter.N.]

I had several more goes at it and in desperation squirted some easy start into the air intake, result loud clatter and it burst into life.

No immobiliser light on only the engine light but that has gone off now.

Thanks for looking.

Peter

[Stickyfinger]

That will be the fuel regulator or the pump then......mine was the regulator

I take it the filter has been changed ?

[Paul-R]

When you turn the ignition on do you hear a whine from the in-tank pump for a short while? I'm assuming that your car has Bosch injection system as I don't know if Siemens stuff was fitted to the facelift C5. Siemens injection setup doesn't have an in-tank pump but does have a squeeze bulb for priming.

Here's a thought. If it is Siemens try priming.

[Peter.N.]

Yes pump is working OK, fuel regulator was changed last time I had a problem. I think it was just the extra speed that a dose of easy start gave it that started it. I wonder if it having been standing the oil had drained from the pistons and caused low compression?

I shall be checking/changing the injectors shortly, I'm pretty sure at least one is faulty so that could be partly to blame by dropping the rail pressure.

Peter

[lukepl]

Hi, I have a 2.0 hdi 8v '02, sometimes it has a holiday of 2 - 3 weeks, summer or winter, and I have never ever needed to crank it any longer than usual after such a break. But I did have the non contacting tank pump issue.
My wife calls: 'She doesn't want to start' - 'Well, slam the door honey, and crank her again'

IMHO the injectors are the least to suspect
Fuel filter? Poor fuel?

[Peter.N.]

It starts OK now, just messes about when it gets hot it seems, only usually misbehaves on quite a long journey, never locally. If injector leakage is an accurate indication of a problem I am inclined to agree, there is only about a 10% difference between any of them. Could be the lift pump I suppose but I changed that when I first had it.

The new 406 I bought has also got what I thought might be injector trouble, it drives beautifully and has been very well maintained but its struggling to do 40mpg locally when the old one with 250k on it does 50+. I know this is correct by the miles per tank. I was going to swap the injectors to prove that out, but what else could be causing it, I've changed the MAF and fitted a new thermostat.

I've had no trouble with the old 406 in over 5 years and 60k+ until I left it unused for a couple of weeks now it wont start and the immobiliser light is on. Not my year so far.

Peter