xsara picasso 2.0hdi 2003 problems

[herbman01]

I am hoping someone on here can help me. I have a 2.0hdi 2003 xsara picasso and the other day it wouldn't start, turns over fine but just wont start. Also the remote locking stopped working and the instrument panel lights up bp until this I have had no issues with the vehicle. Any help would be much appreciated.

[NewcastleFalcon]

There is undoubtedy a logical procedure to be followed for a "crank but no start" situation.
Fuel, battery condition and terminal connections, immobiliser fault, key fault, air in fuel system etc.

One of the more catestrophic reasons is a broken timing belt, but simpler things like an old battery with enough oomph to spin but not start could be a cause. Unlikely to be glow plugs. Then again a completely illogical cause may be a faulty coolant temperature sensor, which I have read, more particularly with respect to petrol engines, can cause starting problems. This refers to a Xsara Picasso 1.6 Petrol, so may not be entirely applicable.

So, what you have here is a suspect fault ECT sensor.. thats the Engine coolant temperature sensor.

The Ecu sends commands to the fueling and ignition systems according to engine temp - If the sensor is faulty and thus sends incorrect , or no info to the ecu as above, the fuel and air mixture will be incorrect and thus do as you describe resulting in poor running and / or complete no start situations.

So, without the aid of plug in diagnostics at the moment and the results thereof - its well worth renewing that sensor. Its located on the right hand side of the engine - as viewed from looking under the bonnet on exact version has a two or four wires pin connector going to it.

Always buy one from a dealer / genuine unit. If you are unsure as to its position - ask the parts dept; when you are in there, to show you on the screen where it is located and too with it in hand, you can see with that above where it is / ID it.

That sensor is a common fault and will cause the problems you describe - its cheap and easy to replace as well -and again, given your description of the fault is the big suspect here. IF that doesn't cure it, one its no real loss because as above, they are not expensive and easy to fit ( 10 mins ) and the originals do fail so its a good job done - rather than having a breakdown at some point... but again, if that wasn't to cure or fully cure your issue, the next step then is to have a local garage plug in diagnostic equipment to the cars OBD diagnostic port and that then will trace whats going on for you

link here

Hope it helps.

Regards Neil

[myglaren]

That's a thought - mine had a period when it was a bit slow to start and when it did the temperature appeared to be excessive- on a cold engine, stood overnight in winter.
Was one of the temperature sensors (green one IIRC)

[wheeler]

Can you hear the fuel pump in the tank priming for a second or two when you switch the ignition on ?
If not try thumping the lowest point of the fuel tank with the palm of your hand while someone trys to start it, if it starts you need to replace the pump in the tank.

[GiveMeABreak]

If you have tried all tdhe above, might be worth a diagnostic. A friends Xsata Picasso exclusive ('52) developed similar problems, turning over but not starting all of a sudden. Turned out the imobiliser / transponder ring unit in the steering column neck had gone and was prohibitively expensive to fix so they scrapped it. Not saying this is the same issue, so would highly recommend a diagnostic before you go replacing parts willy nilly. Good luck!

[herbman01]

Thanks for all the advice, had the bsi out of the car and found a corroded pin on one of the fuse connectors, being an electronic technician I managed to replace the pin and sorted out a couple of dry joints on the circuit board and all is working again.