Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

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Kal13
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Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

I have a dispatch van 2.0 07 plate and it has two issues that im looking to fix

1. Oil from the intercooler - anyway of testing before I purchase a new intercooler

2. Slow sluggish starting. The glow plug light comes on I can hear the relay clicking out and iv done a voltage test when I put on the ignition from the batter. The battery voltage (not started) shows good.

Iv attempted to find the glow plug harness plug to check if I can do a resistance check however I can’t locate it both times its rained on me.

Im sure they would have a harness plug? And im sure the glow plugs are right at the back. When I asked a dealer they both said glow plugs dont go on this model. Its done 94k

Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

It is possible the slow starting is due to a failing starter motor. I have had to replace one on an 04 C5, and helped to replace one on a similar age Berlingo. Assuming your van has an HDi engine it is very unlikely to have an issue with the glow plugs; it is so quick to start (even at low temperatures) the glow plugs are hardly ever used.

If it is the starter motor may I suggest you consider a refurbished replacement motor from GSF (certainly NOT ECP), as if you then return the old motor to them in the packaging provided you will get some money back. When I did so I got back about £60 (the original cost for a Bosch refurbished motor was about £120).

Oh, :welc: to the Forum, by the way.
Last edited by Hell Razor5543 on 15 Nov 2020, 16:34, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

Thank you for that advice. Much appreciated

And thanks again for the welcome
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by JohnD »

My first C5 got reluctant to start from cold. Once it had been started, it was ok for the rest of the day. Eventually, I took it to Citroen and they said it wasn't turning fast enough to build the correct fuel pressure to start. A new motor solved the problem.
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Kal13
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

Got an update:

My van only does the slow start on Cold starts

I took it to a starter motor company and they said this starter motor is of a good make and very rarely fails and if it does it wont last long. My issue has been for Years now Iv just lived with it.

The starter is a valeo make

I then took it to a diagnostic centre and they started taking about how much they charge per and would need to leave the van over night too. I am worried that I maybe left with a big bill yet no outcome. Its not that of a big issue just was thinking of getting it done.

The glow plugs are right at the back.

They said it could be fuel pump, timing belt?

So what Iv read in another post is to use battery pack in the morning and see if that helps start it fast or help the starter run faster. I my battery was replaced about 2 years ago. It starts even after a long 10-15sec of turning the engine over

Will see in the morning
Kal13
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

Started without any issues today with a battery pack?

Is it the battery?

Took it to Qwick fit and they said battery and alternator fine
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by admiral51 »

Okay just going to throw my hat into the ring.
Assuming it is a HDi engine then glow plugs are probably only used when we are looking at sub zero temps, this time of year when it is a little cold they are not really needed.
Alternator can be checked quite easy, but as you have not stated a flat battery then it is charging as it should ?
It is an 07 plate so thinking logically, a battery is expected to last 5 years but if we say the first one lasted 7-9 years before it was replaced the my guess is the current battery is anywhere between 5-7 years old.
As you stated above it started fine with a battery pack i would replace the battery, not a cheapo ECP one but a decent one, much cheaper than putting it into a garage and letting them tell you XYZ was wrong

Colin

** Edit ***
Just re read but a 2 yr old battery can fail if a cell goes down
Kal13
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

£200 for a battery! 💥
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by admiral51 »

Kal13 wrote: 17 Nov 2020, 18:37 £200 for a battery! 💥
You can a decent one for a lot less than that, you just need to look around and not take the first one you see.
If you have a battery pack on hand use it for 3 days and then try to start it on the battery and see if there is any difference.
I do not have access to find the correct rating for your vehicle battery, i am sure someone will be able to provide that info but gotta be worth a shot, cheaper than an alternator + labour charges etc etc

What is the current battery ampage etc, can you take a pic to show what it is rated at ?
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by myglaren »

Try: https://www.thebatteryguys.co.uk/ and https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/

There are many other battery suppliers too but these two seem to get decent reviews.

I got a Bosch battery for my C5 for £53+VAT.
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I seem to recall that, on an HDi engine, the RPM needs to be at 800 before the injector ECU will command the injectors to put fuel into the cylinders. If, therefore, the starter motor does not get the engine up to the required speed fuel will not be injected, so the engine cannot start. Maybe the booster pack acts like an adrenaline shot to help an aged starter motor spin up fast enough.

What is the mileage of the van? On my 04 C5 it was around 200,000 miles and she would, when she was cold, sometimes take longer to start up, and it sounded slow. When the engine was warm she started more quickly, and the engine spun faster. Remember, a cold engine is harder to turn over than a warm one for various reasons (oil temperature and oil being spread around the engine rather than mainly in the sump).
Last edited by Hell Razor5543 on 18 Nov 2020, 09:50, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by myglaren »

Very similar symptoms to my C5 too.
Kal13
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

I took it to a starter motor company and they said thats a very good starter. If it was the starter he said it would have gone within the month

I tried it without the starter pack yesterday and it started okay?

I let it turn over then stopped it then put on the glow plugs till the light went out and then started ok.

The weather has improved. Im waiting for another bad spell of weather.

The battery I got is a Honda 780A CCA. 31500-SEF-E11-HE. 12v -77Ah

I did have to top up the oil too. I dont know if that could have added to the issue. But that was before this post.

I did read about putting more power to spin a bad starter. This issue has been going for years. Time and weather will tell. My pal wants the Halfords stater pack back next week. I think the starter pack kicked my van up the backside 😂
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I would then check the cabling to the starter motor. If there is a poor/loose connection that might cause your problem.
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Kal13
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Re: Citroen dispatch 2.0 07 plate slow starting

Post by Kal13 »

I did feel it with my hand, like gave it a tug. What I will do is go round all the battery connections and The earth strap.
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