C5 2.0 Hdi 2002

[andy147]

Hi

 

I have just bought a C5 2.0 HDi 2002 with 119,000 miles on the clock. It's a very tidy car hardly any marks inside or out and drives very well, comfortrable and quiet. However I have a problem starting it in the mornings. In the past week it has started fine twice,struggled to start 3 times and not at all once but did start about an hour later. The car turns over and feels as if its about to start but dosnt.The battery is fine and plenty of fuel in the tank. I was going to get the glowplugs and relay changed as the glow plug warning light stays on for a very short time before going out. But after reading many posts im not sure as to the problem now as some say it could be glowplugs, relay or fuel delivery problem. I've listened to the pump under the rear seat when starting and this seems to work ok as i can hear it working. The car is a lovely car and i hope its a relativly simple fix, any ideas ???

[Randombloke]

Get it to a Citroen indy and get a diagnostic done.

 

This is not an indirect injection engine, and glow plugs do not get activated above 0/-5 Degrees C (look for posts by iannez or kfk for correct temp) so starting except in the depths of Winter is nothing to do with glow plugs.

 

Tired injectors, low fuel pressure would be my first ports of call.

 

Second port of call would be to look for an air leak in the low pressure side of the fuel system.

 

What does the battery measure?

[andy147]

Thanks for your reply.

 

I must admit after reading many posts i dont think it will be glowplugs or relay.

 

The battery was reading about 3/4 full earlier today but after a few attempts to start it has slipped back to just above half on the gauge.

 

In the mornings this week it struggled to start but after driving and turning off the engine after a short drive (2 minutes)it started immediatly and after being at work all day (8 hours)it started no problem. The mornings here havnt been cold at all so no major drain on the battery.

[Johndouglas]

Can you leave your battery on a trickle charge overnight so that you try a start with a full battery. When you unlock in the morning, the first thing that happens is the suspension pump brings the car up to correct level so that hits the battery Maybe your battery is a bit weak.

[andy147]

Thanks for the advice.

 

Unfortuantly its not something i can do here but a friend can charge it for me. What things do i need to do after i reconnect the battery, immobiliser etc ??

 

Does anyone know what a good battery reading would be before starting the engine and whilst driving. Earlier this week it was at 3/4 full before and driving now its just above half.

 

Thanks to everyone offering advice its much appreciated.

[Johndouglas]

For the battery to be in a good state for starting, the voltage reading should be 12.6 or above. When the engine is running, reading should be around 14+ volts. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery is not as straightforward as what it would seem. To disconnect, switch off and remove the key. Wait 5 minutes to allow the ECU to power down. During the 5 minutes don't open or close any doors, otherwise it re-awakes the system. When you reconnect the leads, wait at least 2 minutes before doing anything. Then turn on the ignition and wait a short while before starting. Window anti-pinch facility may be wrong and the clock will need resetting.

[mechcanico lee]

Hello first things i would go at would be to get the injector back spills tested to see if any excessive ,this can cause air to get into rail and cause drain back and then bad starting but normally they just crank and crank without even attempting to start.

 

You report that it tries to fire up but doesnt quite make it , next one would be make sure cam sensor signal and crank sensor signals are good ........you need a scope for this, have seen a few cam shaft sensors fail but there only cheap so maybe worth replacing just to rule it out , the cam sensor mounts on an elongated fixing so it can be moved in or out towards the camshaft sprocket, the gap measured from the solid part of the sprocket is about 1mm

 

The crank sensor is right at the top of the gearbox bell housing , it picks the signal from segments on the flywheel , make sure connector looks clean and secure

 

Like others have said a good battery and good crank over from cold is essential

 

Somethings to have a go at.

 

Lee