Also turning over ok so can’t see how it’s the starter motor as a few are suggesting. Only thing a diesel needs is fuel, air and compression. Take your pick where to start.
Turns over but won’t start
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- Sep 12, 2018
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Modern diesel engines are run off a ECU so it could be electrical.
Common rail injectors are controled by the ECU any problems with wiring or sensors can course a not start .
Fuel injector Pumps require a stop solenoid which if sticking will also course a non start.
Even a low drop in voltage has been known to course the ECU to not work correctly when trying to start a vehicle
A bit late but.....we had a similar random no start problem. Ours was a faulty ignition barrel. Once I changed it, it starts every time. eBay item @£30
OP
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Bit of an update after years.
It still does the same today, I have however noticed it’s only ever when the ignition lock light stays on when I turn the key.
I can only assume occasionally it doesn’t register the right key so it won’t start.
Just turn off and on till the symbol disappears and starts every time.
If it gets worse and it hasn’t in three years, I will change the ignition barrel as Baggydave suggests and see if that sorts it.
It still does the same today, I have however noticed it’s only ever when the ignition lock light stays on when I turn the key.
I can only assume occasionally it doesn’t register the right key so it won’t start.
Just turn off and on till the symbol disappears and starts every time.
If it gets worse and it hasn’t in three years, I will change the ignition barrel as Baggydave suggests and see if that sorts it.
Van Weasel
Free Member
Well this is an interesting read to which I can add my two pence worth. My Ducato 2.3 is less than 3 years old 11,000 miles and it’s done this no start thing recently when hot twice now. 1st time was at a filling station when I tried to move it from the stupidly expensive Vpower diesel pump to the just expensive diesel pump. It wouldn’t start so after a couple of minutes my Mrs said ‘ have I left the fuel cap off’ yep idiot! I replaced the cap and she fired up instantly (van not Mrs) and I put it down to that.
However yesterday we pulled into campsite lay-by at Reception and it wouldn’t start again. The engines was hot as we’d been thrashing up and down hills and B roads, sure enough it started again after a little time. As the van is relatively new I wouldn’t think it’s fuel lines etc. I did open the fuel cap this morning and there was a whoosh as others have experienced so draw your own conclusions from that.
I’m inclined to guess at some kind of heat protection shutdown mode but I’m no expert clearly otherwise I’d have the answer, just wanted to add some more data for group contemplations.
It’s going in for a service and 1st MOT next month so I’ll suggest full diagnostics check and plumbing check integrity of fuel lines show them suggested forum antidotes etc and report back if they find anything.
However yesterday we pulled into campsite lay-by at Reception and it wouldn’t start again. The engines was hot as we’d been thrashing up and down hills and B roads, sure enough it started again after a little time. As the van is relatively new I wouldn’t think it’s fuel lines etc. I did open the fuel cap this morning and there was a whoosh as others have experienced so draw your own conclusions from that.
I’m inclined to guess at some kind of heat protection shutdown mode but I’m no expert clearly otherwise I’d have the answer, just wanted to add some more data for group contemplations.
It’s going in for a service and 1st MOT next month so I’ll suggest full diagnostics check and plumbing check integrity of fuel lines show them suggested forum antidotes etc and report back if they find anything.
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Thanks for coming back with an update. It is always nice to know the resolution or solution of any problems people ask about. Big thumbs up from me for the updateBit of an update after years.
It still does the same today, I have however noticed it’s only ever when the ignition lock light stays on when I turn the key.
I can only assume occasionally it doesn’t register the right key so it won’t start.
Just turn off and on till the symbol disappears and starts every time.
If it gets worse and it hasn’t in three years, I will change the ignition barrel as Baggydave suggests and see if that sorts it.
Thank you.
Van Weasel
Free Member
Mine failed to start again on yet another filling station forecourt and this time the battery ran out of juice. We had to push it off the forecourt away from pumps and recovery guy put a booster on the battery and she started instantly.
I then drove it 300 miles home without turning the engine off, parked up and tried to restart the engine but battery didn’t have enough juice to start it, concerned that was alternator/battery not heat.
So we decided the 3 year old battery must be at fault dead cell possibly and very unwilling to take a charge. Checked alternator and charging system is fine so it’s now got a new massive battery with 5 year guarantee and had a full service. Fingers crossed for the next big trip in a few days to Suffolk and then Belgium GP
bought one of those 500 amp lithium battery booster chargers just in case.
My fault but due to lack of use the old battery had been allowed to go flat a couple of winters ago and again last winter the same despite having a designated solar panel linked to it so I suspect this weakened the battery. I’ll be using a Ctek maintainer on it in future, probably more sophisticated and suited to purpose than relying on the solar panel.
I’ll let you know if the above is complete nonsense and it breaks down again because of something else!
I then drove it 300 miles home without turning the engine off, parked up and tried to restart the engine but battery didn’t have enough juice to start it, concerned that was alternator/battery not heat.
So we decided the 3 year old battery must be at fault dead cell possibly and very unwilling to take a charge. Checked alternator and charging system is fine so it’s now got a new massive battery with 5 year guarantee and had a full service. Fingers crossed for the next big trip in a few days to Suffolk and then Belgium GP
bought one of those 500 amp lithium battery booster chargers just in case. My fault but due to lack of use the old battery had been allowed to go flat a couple of winters ago and again last winter the same despite having a designated solar panel linked to it so I suspect this weakened the battery. I’ll be using a Ctek maintainer on it in future, probably more sophisticated and suited to purpose than relying on the solar panel.
I’ll let you know if the above is complete nonsense and it breaks down again because of something else!
Just to throw in 2 sensors that cause havoc in an intermitant error senario. The crankshaft or rpm sensor and the camshaft sensor. This last one is important in starting issues as it is only used to identify cyl 1 on start up then all timing issues are dealt with by the crankshaft sensor. Note im not suggesting this is your issue.
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Well, another update.
It did get slightly worse, both keys and started happening about 1 start in 10. A few weeks back it was every other start for a few days.
Despite me looking to bypass the Immobiliser with lots of help from Jev88, it is a later model which has no external immobiliser and it’s all done through the ECU.
The Fiat forum came up trumps and I discovered that the wires for the antenna ring at the ignition barrel literally went straight to the ECU and that was it. It wasn’t a key issue as both keys were the same. The ECU was fine as were the connections to it. So the only issue could be the antenna ring or the wiring between it and the ECU.
Coastal Motorhomes had an antenna ring for £19 so was worth a punt and I could check the connections too.
Literally took me 2 minutes to change and so far, it hasn’t done it for about 20 starts.
I might have given it the kiss of death, but it seems to have fixed it for £19. If it hasn’t I will post again, I am crossing everything!!!
It did get slightly worse, both keys and started happening about 1 start in 10. A few weeks back it was every other start for a few days.
Despite me looking to bypass the Immobiliser with lots of help from Jev88, it is a later model which has no external immobiliser and it’s all done through the ECU.
The Fiat forum came up trumps and I discovered that the wires for the antenna ring at the ignition barrel literally went straight to the ECU and that was it. It wasn’t a key issue as both keys were the same. The ECU was fine as were the connections to it. So the only issue could be the antenna ring or the wiring between it and the ECU.
Coastal Motorhomes had an antenna ring for £19 so was worth a punt and I could check the connections too.
Literally took me 2 minutes to change and so far, it hasn’t done it for about 20 starts.
I might have given it the kiss of death, but it seems to have fixed it for £19. If it hasn’t I will post again, I am crossing everything!!!
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- Oct 28, 2022
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My MH is a Fiat 2.3 and I had the same problem, it was the oil pressure sensor .
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Wouldn’t a Ducato of that vintage have a factory fitted immobiliser? The only time I’ve had an identical problem on a 2012 Ducato, it was the immobiliser. Cost £500 to replace and programme by Fiat dealer about 15 years ago.
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If there is one, I can’t find it and the Fiat forum were insistent it’s done via the ECU on a 2013 Ducato.
Sorry, brain not in gear. Mine was a 2006, acquired in 2012 so please ignore my nonesense
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Thanks for the update
Slightly related,I had an Iveco daily 2.3(2011) had similar starting issues sometimes with codes (rail pressure and similar)was a bit smokey(not bad enough to fail MOT)so had injectors tested all poor,had recond no smoke but still random starting issues,having done lift pump,high pressure sensor and relief and loads of other stuff,went back to the old goto
fitted non return valve in fuel lines (£5/6 for 2)
no more problems,was always the first thing done if no obvious fault found on fuel system,before common rail
fitted non return valve in fuel lines (£5/6 for 2)
no more problems,was always the first thing done if no obvious fault found on fuel system,before common rail
This has been a very useful thread, especially the later updates from google bot. I have a (from new) 2021 2.3 160 20000 miles, extra high top extra long self converted van...the other day, on Ibiza, after driving off the ferry maybe 20 mins we pulled over and turned of the van...went to start again...wouldn't start, turned over like normal, starter engaged like usual, a message came up 'Change fuel/diesel filter'. the last 2 fill's of fuel fuel I put in were Ropsol and BP. 2nd try at starting no luck so I left if for about 1/2 hour and then it started...All good for the rest of the day. Next morning it started on second attempt this time no warning lights or messages...all good for the rest of the day...next day during the day one more 2nd attempt start..all ok for a few days...then again during the day a 2nd attempt start. During this time I've been searching the internet for anyone with similar problems...this is the only thread I've found on the subject so thank's all. We're going to Morocco for a few weeks in November so have ordered a complete fuel filter housing and an antenna ring to carry as a spare...there about the only things one can change at the roadside that might get me going if it gets worse....PS I did put a new air filter in as well.....Just my two penneth worth....
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I would get the fuel filter changed before you go, if it’s that causing the issue, it’s then excluded and same goes for the antenna ring. You might even find the definitive cause if it isn’t that rather than be stuck abroad.
I've got the same problem on a vivaro which is our breakdown van buts it only ever does once in a blue moon I put up with it
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So...OEM Fuel filter changed yesterday...all was good for the rest of the day and this morning wouldn't start first time, after waiting about 2 mins started 2nd time, rest of the day has been fine...I'll be ordering an antenna ring and oil filter sensor In Algeciras as I will be there for a few days before going over to Morocco. Was wondering about getting an OBD2 scanner to see if that could point me in a chirtain direction.....anyone have any advice about scanners?
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Try this thread. Lots of options are available.
Engine lights on in France - get a cheap code reader
At a remote mountain crag Wednesday and beeping starts, warning flashes up and engine light comes on. I crapped myself it would go into limp mode so headed straight back to a main road from the gravel track we had arrived on. Van has been fine, 2.3 130BHP Fiat, 2013 model. Plugged in cheap...
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bluebenz1, you may have a slight leak somewhere in the fuel system up to the hp pump, this can allow fuel to drain back to the tank, slightly starving the hp pump ?
Try cycling the ignition a couple of times to operate the lift pump before you actually crank the engine over which will hopefully prime the system up ?
Do you have a primer bulb in the engine bay as these sometimes crack or perish, allowing air in to the system.
Try cycling the ignition a couple of times to operate the lift pump before you actually crank the engine over which will hopefully prime the system up ?
Do you have a primer bulb in the engine bay as these sometimes crack or perish, allowing air in to the system.
My 1989 VW California camper has been like that since I bought it 10-15yrs ago.
Initially, I spent a long time investigating and even took it to an expert near Homfirth. We changed many things from injection pumps to fuel cutoff valves and relays.
It still persists, so I have learnt to live with it.
Put in the key, turn engine over twice, if not starting, turn off and immediately try again.
It starts straight away!
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Hi, thanks for the suggestion, will definitely try that, not sure if i have a primer bulb, its a 2021 ducato, I’ll do a bit of research on that. Cheers
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