HELP - Starting Problems driving me mad!!

[nigpay1]

2004 1.5 DCI Dynamique

Up until last Nov all was fine then it started having trouble starting, it would turn over but not fire.

Had the glow plugs changed and the car looked at. Halfords checked the battery, that was fine, carried on having the problems.

Took it to Renault who only said the battery needed replacing!

Took it to Kwik Fit who tested the battery (it said it was fine although it needed charging - I had charged it for a day the week before)
They also tested the alternator - that was fine.

So I had a new battery...problem still happening!!!! help!

[davelowe]

Did you get any fault codes read? A local independent should do that for £20 or so.

It's impossible to guess what the problem may be, but fuel faults, electrical connector corrosion and dodgy fuel flow actuator are all contenders.

Need more details really.

[nigpay1]

I get the usual injection fault code but have had that prior to the starting issue.

It went into Renault who ran diagnostics but could only find that it needed a new battery.

My one last attempt to work out what is wrong is that Renault also said the fuel filter had broken up and had contaminated the fuel system which they have cleaned but they said it would take a week to clear properly.

May this be contributing to the non starting problem?! If so would filling up with some 'proper' diesel instead of supermarket stuff help and maybe add in some injector cleaner?!

thanks

[AlexB]

Get the fault codes read, as Dave says. They are different from what you see on the dashboard. ELM327 from ebay plus a laptop will do the job, or ask any garage. The codes are likely to point at glow plugs among some other things, if so then replace the plugs and come back here to listen, probably, about air in the fuel line, camshaft and temperature sensors.

[mr. megane]

Had what sounds similar with ours around Christmas. Managed to start it by glowing twice (pressed stop before it tried starting and then start again) then drove it to the garage and got the glow plugs changed.
Had it serviced at the same time so fuel filter was changed as well. Haven't had any problems since, fingers crossed!
I should add, it was about -20 C at the time which didn't exactly improve the situation.

[direstraits]

If fuel lines are contaminated by metal pieces from diesel filter, then the high pressure pump is probably fecked up, together with the common rail injectors... Sounds like an expensive fix.

[triumph2.5man]

Hello fellow 1.5dci owner!
Being a bit thick and easily confused, can I ask, does the car eventually start? If so how does it run - smoothly? I ask this because you said you took it to the Renault dealership and had it tested. Did you drive it there or tow it or have it picked up? If it is a total non-starter, I can't believe the Renault fitters allowed you to take it away without solving the problem!
Perhaps you told them you wanted it diagnosed, not fixed! (As a matter of interest, how much did the diagnosis cost?)
As for changing to a different fuel supplier and using injector cleaner, I think you are clutching at straws there.
Cheers, Mike
(PS I don't wish to sound insulting or offensive, but are you 100% certain that petrol has not been put in the tank by mistake......?)

[nigpay1]

hello!

yes the car does eventually start after maybe 1 or 2 goes but not all the time.

Once started it starts for the rest of the day and runs smoothly.

When I took it to Renault I just told them it wasn't starting well and that I'd had the glow plugs changed and the battery tested.
They then told me the battery needed changing and that particles from the filter had found their way into the fuel system

They then cleaned the system, changed 2 bulbs (one dreaded headlight bulb) told me i needed a new battery (for which they wanted to charge £150!)
and then charged me £180 for it!! They said it would take a week to clear the fuel properly.

I then went to Kwik Fit who couldn't find anything wrong with the battery or alternator although the battery came back as needing to be charged.
I'd already charged it so figured it must be the battery and had a new one.

I've since filled up with BP ultimate and added redex to see if that will help

I'm also absolutely positive petrol has not been put in the tank rather than diesel.

my poor 1.5dci has never been ill before so i'm desperate to get it back to health!!

[AlexB]

nigpay1,

You can find yourself in a serious trouble, by which I mean replacement of the fuel system. Read the EOBD codes!

Meanwhile, check the clear fuel line attached to the fuel pump for bubbles or foam (in the morning, obviously).
Then measure the voltage of the battery while starting the engine, also in the morning.

[burnie1982]

Hi,

I'm currently experiencing the very same problem with my 1.6vvt megane. So far this week I've had the camshaft sensor and a pair of coils replaced, now today each time I start the car from cold it takes me at least two attempts, then when driving it feels like the engine is braking ever so slightly. There are no warning lights showing so I'm at a loss as to what could be causing this I'm reluctant to take it into my local Renault again as they seem to sting me with a large bill everytime I visit. Is it possible that the earlier issues could have affected my battery?

Thanks in advance for the help.