Citroen Dispatch 2.0hdi 2001 wont run.. anyone help?!

[ludavic1000000]

Ive owned my 2001 Citroen Dispatch 2.0 hdi for around 3 years and it has been faultless.. until this problem..!
The van wasnt used for a few weeks, then one morning I went to start it and the battery had run flat so I used some jump leads in attempt to get it going.. however it just wouldnt go, just kept turning over..
So we towed the van to a mechanic.. he did some tests and said the glow plug relay wasnt working nor the pump in the fuel tank and something else.. so suspected an ECU fault..(maybe an immobilser inside the ecu or something)
The ECU was sent away to be checked and returned with no faults..!
Just wondering if anybody could suggest anything else left to check.. or has had the same issue?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[xr4x4]

Try tow starting it or put a freshly charged good battery on it, then if it starts check the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine running, should be around 14v.

Sometimes if the battery hasn't got enough charge to crank and power the ecu, it won't start. Same applies when jumping to a flat battery.

 

[jonnyfishing]

I think you will find it's the lift pump in the tank that has packed up, you don't get any warning but you should have had a code stored in the ECU
with regard to low fuel pressure. When you switch on the ignition you should hear the pump in the fuel tank run for a few seconds. It's a small pump attached to the fuel level indicator sender unit (quite expensive part). I think you will have to drop the fuel tank for access as I did on a picasso last year.

 

[ludavic1000000]

Thanks for your help guys! one of the first things i tried was a new battery.. but the lift pump isnt buzzing.. it does when i put a 12v supply straight to it but still wont run as the glow glug relay isnt working either.. im sure whatever the porblem is.. is causing serval things to stop working.. to prevent it starting.. like some sort if immobiliser fault..

 

[jonnyfishing]

I think you will find that HDI engines only need glow plug assistance when the temperature is very cold, ie freezing. So it could be the immobiliser if you have had the lift pump working, try starting it when you put power to the pump. That should give you a better indication where to look next.

 

[Jimmyjaffa]

It's the multi-function relay on the n/s inner wing by the battery. These stick and this relay runs the fuel pump etc. Not alot of £ from the dealer. Give it a smack with something when the ignition is on.

View media item 29712

 

[ludavic1000000]

Hey Jonnyfishing.. ye i actually tried to start it whilst having a direct feed to the pump and it wouldnt go..
Skippster 76.. Thank-you!! that is definately something I havent tried... sound promising!! ill give it a go tommorow.. thanks again for you help!

 

[Peter.N.]

Can you hear the pump running when you connect a direct feed?

Peter

 

[ludavic1000000]

Unfortunaley the relay didnt solve the prob...
Yes Peter the pump does run when it has a direct power supply.. but still doesnt start..

 

[Jimmyjaffa]

Ok, i would now look at the crankshaft sensor which i think is located on the gearbox bell housing at the front but not 100% sure, remove clean and replace and see what happends.

 

[goves]

I know it was last year but my van has exactly the same issues
Want was the fix for yours in the end?
cheers
Goves

 

[Burnerman]

Its always a good move to replace the crankshaft position sensor (on the top of the bell housing) with a genuine Citroen one - costs around £16 and held with one Allen screw.
John

 

[djoucewoods]

My van has similar symptoms,havent been able to start it since a 1 month lay-up.The only thing out of the ordinary was a slight loss of power or hesitation on acceleration and a tendency to need a bit more cranking to start.At the time I put it down to a lazy starter or engine wear(192000 miles),now though it refuses to start.Preheating circuit is tip top,lift pump ditto,Im getting crank sensor signal,pressure in the rail(not measured just observed by cracking open the high pressure feed to the rail).
The afore mentioned hesitation could be relevant,a mechanic friend suggested the injection pump could have a worn or leaky piston or the pressure regulator is faulty.My next step now is to take the pump to a diesel injection specialist and have it tested.The system on my van is the Bosch EDC15.

 

[Shadie]

hi there,

just wondering if you solve the problem and did you check the (for air locks) fuel filter? Try pressing the bleed button whilst trying to start it ?

 

[AlanE]

I think you will find that HDI engines only need glow plug assistance when the temperature is very cold, ie freezing.

Don't think this is true!

The relay controlling the glowplugs seems a bit multifunctional:
1. When very cold outside causes the preheat function to operate.

2. Normal outside temperature outside, but engine cold, the relay operates with starter switch and remains on for around 5-8 seconds. (Cannot remember exact period)

3. Coolant temperature above certain certain level and operation of the glowplug relay is inhibited.