Unreliable start

[306pc]

I bought my new 306 dturbo 3 weeks ago. Sometimes it starts fine, sometimes it just turns and won't fire up. It's had a new battery and I've got some new glowplugs to go in. Just been to start it this morning and it's dead. Any ideas?

[Eeyore]

Sounds like the battery is on the way out :/

[Toms306]

When it doesn't start, does pumping the primer help?

Could be an immob fault if not, is it a keypad?

[306pc]

Battery is fine, 1 week old turning the engine fast.

Pumping the grenade didn't help.
It is a key pad immobiliser.

[Ruan]

Does the exhaust smoke like hell or not?

[306pc]

No smoke from exhaust.

[Toms306]

I'd probably remove the immob to make sure its not that, easy enough with a keypad.

[ADV_93]

Leak off, glowplugs, fuel filter can all make it be like that tbf mate

When i pop up for that anti roll bar some time this week ill have a look at it mate

[306pc]

How do you bypass the key pad? I thought there was a page in the guide section but can't find it now. Looked online and people say start it and unplug the pad? Anyone done it and know how?

[PartyJas]

That's all I had to do on my Citroen Synergie.. start it up then unplug the key pad.

[306pc]

Think it's the glowplugs, changing them tomorrow.

[Toms306]

If it was the plugs you should get a plume of white smoke when it does finally catch. Can't hurt to change them though!

[306pc]

When I bought the car the last owner told me to start it as soon as the Glowplug light went out on the dash. I think it's them. Also want to do it before I change to a bosch pump.

[PartyJas]

Strange they said that. The plugs glow for 5 seconds or more after the light goes out. I wait for the relay click before starting.

[306pc]

I'm hoping he said that because they're knackered and a new set will sort it.

[silverzx]

Pfft, if I try and fire mine up as soon as glow plug lights out it willl turn over 10-20 times before firing.

Turn the key, let glow plug light go out and wait another 8-10 seconds. Then fire.

Catches first time everytime.

[Ruan]

If it doesn't billow smoke whilst attempting to start, it's not the glowplugs. The engine isn't getting fuel.

If it was glowplugs, you'd have one glowplug slightly better and one cylinder will fire for ages and the rest just blowing smoke. I'd say definitely fuel draining back to tank or solenoid problems.

[306pc]

I did increase the fueling on the lucas pump a few days ago?

[306pc]

Sorted. Black cap on front of the pump a touch too loose.
Happy.

[306pc]

Been fine for 3 weeks. Now won't start again after a day in the carpark at work after driving there fine this morning. Im thinking its the stop solenoid or immobiliser. wish I bypassed the immobiliser while I had the chance.

[Zippy121]

I had a fault with the stop solonoid, it would run but as soon as moderate to high revs used it'd cut out.
Then it became troublesome at starting, I was having to use the granade to prime the system every time but ran well once it was running.
Finally it just wouldn't start after a long motorway run and the engine was still warm.
I removed the solonoid inner plungerr and spring, hey presto no more faults!
Had to use the manual stop lever for a few days until the replacement solonoid arrived.
Well worth a look if you have erratic starting problems
My car has the Lucas pump btw and the genuine Lucas solonoid was £15 from eBay.
Hope this may help?

[306pc]

It's still intermittent. I just bump start it now. Getting bosch'd soon. I just park on hills a lot. Lol.