More Fiat starting woes

[Lizbiebrowne]

Not content with thwarting my engine starting attempts by intermittently showing me the yellow key/padlock warning light on the dash (https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/fiat-😡.311253/), my Fiat 2.8JTD engine has now developed another strategy by occasionally refusing to even turn the engine over when I turn the key to start it.

Any thoughts? I’m think perhaps there’s a relay involved somewhere, some poor connections or the solenoid. Not happening often (yet) but worrying nevertheless.

 

[Badknee]

Have you checked all the earth points and starter cable?

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Have you checked all the earth points and starter cable?

I know something about engines but not good on details so I was looking for some pointers. I’ll take a look at those items (if I can find them!) tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Baggydave]

Not content with thwarting my engine starting attempts by intermittently showing me the yellow key/padlock warning light on the dash (https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/fiat-.311253/), my Fiat 2.8JTD engine has now developed another strategy by occasionally refusing to even turn the engine over when I turn the key to start it.

Any thoughts? I’m think perhaps there’s a relay involved somewhere, some poor connections or the solenoid. Not happening often (yet) but worrying nevertheless.

Having had similar problems in the past on my last 2.8jtd I suggest it may be the ignition barrel itself. I bought a new barrel with keys easy to change once you remove the headless bolts. I then taped the original key to the security sensor ring & tucked it under the dash. No more problems after that.

 

[Bessy765]

There is a small contact at the bottom of the ignition barrel which can wer or corrode resulting in no contact when the key is turned, ignition comes on but the next bit fails hence the starter doesn’t turn. Check if you have a row of fuses itthe nearside top dash pocket on some models there is a 5 amp or 2 amp that works theimmobiliser take it out and clean the fuse twisting the blades a little may help. It’s model specific ours was a 1999 2.8 JTSD

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[Lizbiebrowne]

Having had similar problems in the past on my last 2.8jtd I suggest it may be the ignition barrel itself. I bought a new barrel with keys easy to change once you remove the headless bolts. I then taped the original key to the security sensor ring & tucked it under the dash. No more problems after that.

That might solve my other problem too - what year was your 2.8jtd?

There is a small contact at the bottom of the ignition barrel which can wer or corrode resulting in no contact when the key is turned, ignition comes on but the next bit fails hence the starter doesn’t turn. Check if you have a row of fuses itthe nearside top dash pocket on some models there is a 5 amp or 2 amp that works theimmobiliser take it out and clean the fuse twisting the blades a little may help. It’s model specific ours was a 1999 2.8 JTSD

Mine’s a 2003 model.

 

[Baggydave]

That might solve my other problem too - what year was your 2.8jtd?

Mine’s a 2003 model.

Mine was also a 2003. It was a rohill tag axel minibus.

 

[Baggydave]

Mine was also a 2003. It was a rohill tag axel minibus.

If you go for a replacement coastal Motorhomes is where I got mine. I tried just replacing the switch part from eBay but it didn’t work.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

If you go for a replacement coastal Motorhomes is where I got mine. I tried just replacing the switch part from eBay but it didn’t work.

Thanks Baggy. I’ve also have the additional problem with the immobiliser chip not recognising the key on occasions so although replacing the barrel might cure this starting problem I may still be left with the immobiliser problem even if I take your approach and tape the key to the sensor.

 

[Pausim]

Having had similar problems in the past on my last 2.8jtd I suggest it may be the ignition barrel itself. I bought a new barrel with keys easy to change once you remove the headless bolts. I then taped the original key to the security sensor ring & tucked it under the dash. No more problems after that.

That might work but presumably it removes the immobiliser protection. My NFU insurance specifically states a minimum requirement of a Cat 2 immobiliser for theft cover and I suspect most insurance companies would consider it to be an unauthorised modification.

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[Diabalo]

I had similar problems with starting and replaced just the ignition switch that I bought off fleabay, not had a problem since.

Plenty of guides on YouTube on how to do it.

 

[gus-lopez]

The easiest way to eliminate relays, solenoid ignition barrel ,etc ; is to turn ignition on ensuring this time there is no 'padlock'. get a length of wire & crimp a spade terminal on one end . attach this to the solenoid wire in place of the existing wire. touch the other end to the live terminal on the battery if it cranks& starts the problem is either the switch or circuitry or the connection on the wire to the solenoid.In my old coachbuilt fiat it would happen occasionally,usually at a petrol station & I just had a wire with spade terminal on the end & would just start it with that.

 

[Baggydave]

That might work but presumably it removes the immobiliser protection. My NFU insurance specifically states a minimum requirement of a Cat 2 immobiliser for theft cover and I suspect most insurance companies would consider it to be an unauthorised modification.

Maybe it did but I kinda figured who’s gonna nick my old disabled bus. It was a risk but nobody did. I guess it’s a personal choice. I told the next owner the situation & he was fine with it.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

The easiest way to eliminate relays, solenoid ignition barrel ,etc ; is to turn ignition on ensuring this time there is no 'padlock'. get a length of wire & crimp a spade terminal on one end . attach this to the solenoid wire in place of the existing wire. touch the other end to the live terminal on the battery if it cranks& starts the problem is either the switch or circuitry or the connection on the wire to the solenoid.In my old coachbuilt fiat it would happen occasionally,usually at a petrol station & I just had a wire with spade terminal on the end & would just start it with that.

Thank you, I’ll see if I can rig something up and try that.