C2 1.4 HDI Starting Issues

[Franek-36388]

It's extremely common - I have it on my C5 X7 and previously before that on my other one and on the C3 too - all HDi cars.

I completely ignore it.

Glow plugs on HDi engines are rarely used except to help get the engine to temp more quickly and on occasions where needed, to assist with particle filter regeneration (if fitted).

I need help but i can’t post normally idk why, anyway my problem with my citroen c2 1.4hdi is that for a long time (1.5 months maybe) it has been left untouched in the minuses weather because that is my car when i get my drivers license which will be in like a month i live in germany. The car always hat a started problem (brushes gone) so we took it to a regeneration shop citroen, the starter in the engine rn is the original one with everything new. Basically two days ago i tried to start it cuz i wanted to drive with my dad in prep for my practical exam and in the gaps when im not driving, i wanted to start it so the battery (if not dead) could charge and the car to warm up, however when turning the key i went to the ignition place one click before starting the engine where all the instruments turn on, i was looking for the glow plug lamp because its a diesel but i couldn’t find it idk if i was partially blind that day or not however i still waited around 20 secs after most if not lights turned off, the engine struggled but it eventually turned over and as soon as it turned on i let go of the key as one normally does (i hope) but as soon as i did the engine stalled or just stopped i was in neutral with the clutch in and brakes. After that i tried to start it however i heard loud clicks, they sounded like the same when the starter was broken but im not a mechanic i just have ears. after my farther came home he tried starting it but said he heard loud bangs almost like the ‘pistons were hitting the roof’ he said and then said its scraps and should sell it asap for low price. after replacing the starter we drove it sometimes and he said that he’ll start it every now and then but maybe forgot but it ran okay there was and has been a loud and high pitched screeching noise for a long time now when starting (idk why and i have not questioned about it) but it hasn’t seemed to be a big problem because of the long time it has happened for. Please help as i said i couldn’t find a post option on a main forum page. On Saturday we’ll charge the battery using our main car and then try to start it. Please help if you have any knowledge. Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

Your Glow Plugs are only there to assist with starting in very cold temperatures, to aid in post heating and treating some of the NOx emissions. So these won't affect the starting as the HDIs really need these to start the car under normal conditions.

I suggest you have another issue, or combination of issues, like the vehicle battery being too old (this is the biggest reason for non-starting in the colder weather). If your battery is over 5 years old, then it's probably not holding a charge and its capacity is greatly diminished. So this can affect starting and running of the vehicle.

The starter motor may have other issues or not been repaired properly if it is still sticking. A clicking sound can indicate failure where the brushes aren't falling back into place, which is why a tap with a hammer on the casing can cause them to fall back into place - but this would indicate a failed repair or another issue. But it may just be that the battery does not have enough power.

[Franek-36388]

thanks for the reply and the thread however the battery is relatively new, it is most likely dead and that’s why on saturday i’m gonna try to charge and jumpstart it with a skoda octavia. The starter should absolutely not be a problem because it’s like 3 months* new. after my attempt of starting it my dad tried to who was a mechanic he said the bangs are very loud and sound like the pistons are hitting the ‘zylinder kopf’ cylinder head which is common practice with diesels and that, that will be more expensive than the car to repair. As i said the battery could and probably is dead but the starter is definitely out of question. Thanks again

[GiveMeABreak]

So if you are having loud knocking or banging noises then you have something else going on which is going to be hard to help with on a Forum I'm afraid, but viel glück on getting it sorted.

[Franek-36388]

Update
Sorry for not posting i forgot that i posted this, i charged the batteries and it started. I drove it, it’s good. However i have some things to do before i use it as transport every day the things are: Alimentary of the wheels (no problem), but these next things i need advice on; when starting there’s a screeching when starting that i think the starter might be the culprit (maybe something came loose) however this has im guessing 1k - 3k kilometres, my friend said that he thinks it’s the belts and that i should buy a spray or smth but im not sure, i will try to attach a file with the car starting.
Next problem is that the clutch pedal; when i press it down, it goes some the first 1/3 without any resistance and it’s quite challenging to find the biting point, definitely a lot different from my new vw tiguan. The break pedal had the same problem but it’s not the worse.