Hi there,

I recently stated driving a Fiat Doblo 1900 Multijet for work but unfortunately, after a day's use, it quit and wont start.

The vehicle has a full history, with recent new cambelt and tensioners and was returning a superb 46mpg so I'd assume that the engine and such is in fairly good health (or i drive it very gently!)

The problem is this.

I went to it to drive to work in the morning and it churned for maybe a second on the starter motor and then nothing. Straight away after that, the Glowplug light started to flash which I take to be the ECU light. I've tried to read the ecu with a code reader, but nothing is stored. I've tried it with more than one key, in case there was a problem with the transponder in the first key I used, and that has the same effect. I've tried it on jump leads, with a different battery and no life from the motor. The dash behaves as usual, I can hear the fuel system pressurising, just nothing else gives.

Anyone got any ideas of where to go from here, apart from a dealership, as we haven't got a fiat place nearby that I'd really trust.

Thanks

Phil

If the starter motor isn't turning over the engine then thats ignition key, solenoid or starter motor problems, do you hear a click (from the solenoid) when trying to start? Try starting with clutch depressed, also if all else fails, roll the car in gear and release the clutch to turn over the engine a bit (just in case starter motor pinion is somehow jammed or the brushes are worn). Give the starter motor a thump.
The glowplug light flashing might be a problem with glow plug relay or individual glow plugs but the engine should still turn over and maybe start given the hot weather even if the glow plugs arent working.

That's good. Can these be bump or tow started?

Yes, its only automatics that can't be bump started. Make sure ignition is on and steering lock off.

johnhififan said:

Yes, its only automatics that can't be bump started. Make sure ignition is on and steering lock off.

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Hi,

It's I'll advised to bump start anything with a hydraulic tensioner on timing gear either as the sudden rotation on a slack drive belt/chain can cause it to jump. Hence me asking

Thats a new one on me and I suspect an urban myth. The oil systems has a non return valve so in theory the hydraulic tensioner should not be slack. Lets face it if it was slack thats a big problem jump starting or not.
Bump it in 4th so the engine turns slowly and is that any worse that the starter motor engaging suddenly I wouldn't think so? Just my opinion, I could be wrong and am happy to be corrected.

johnhififan said:

Yes, its only automatics that can't be bump started. Make sure ignition is on and steering lock off.

Click to expand...

Hi,

Whoops double post!

johnhififan said:

Thats a new one on me and I suspect an urban myth. The oil systems has a non return valve so in theory the hydraulic tensioner should not be slack. Lets face it if it was slack thats a big problem jump starting or not.
Bump it in 4th so the engine turns slowly and is that any worse that the starter motor engaging suddenly I wouldn't think so? Just my opinion, I could be wrong and am happy to be corrected.

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Hi,

Check valves will ensure the lubricant itself is present, not pressure. If you google "bump starting a mk 6 transit" you should find a topic on this subject explaining why it's I'll advised in far better terms than I have. I also don't like the idea of bumping in 4th as that would lead to a road speed of getting on for 30mph which I think would carry risk in its self (snatching if using a tow rope etc) so I think I will try bumping it but in 2nd at lower speed matching the gear used to the speed being travelled at, so I dont risk an accident as greatly as could occurr at higher speed

Hi Phil,

If the starter motor is knackered, take it to a specialist, I was only suggesting a very small bump start to see if it frees anything up just a slight push, after all a totally seized engine will mean no starter motor action, it will not turn. Absolutely do it at a low speed, I was thinking a push rather than a tow, but whatever road speed 4th results in lower engine speed than 2nd if youre worried about shocks to the engine and cambelts slipping. Good luck

I said 'roll the car in gear and release the clutch to turn over the engine a bit'
Sheesh, I can see it now, 5 killed as Fiat Doblo owner following advice from johnhififan, as owner dumps clutch at 30mph in 2nd and skids off into oap home!

Please whatever, be safe and dont do it if youre not happy, it does sound like your starter could just be knackered and an expert can tell you that without any need for turning over the engine.

Mate,

I don't mean to sound harsh in my reply, so please accept my apology as with what you've said since, it's clarified what you meant and I will try it. The only reason I have to consider towing is the only person I can get to help me is the Missis, and she has a bad back and wouldn't want to bump it. I dont think she is up to pushing and I want to be the one behind the wheel to "feel" what's going on.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it immensely. I will also (when the rain stops) be putting a multimeter around the engine bay to see what's what with voltage.

Thanks

Phil

glow plug light flashing indicates a glow plug circuit fault.........i'm a bit confused by what is/not actually happening here. Are you getting a supply to the starter motor from the ignition switch as the switches are a common issue.

Not been to test it yet as weathers bad here. What's the issue with the switches?

I had a problem with my 05 plate doblo where it simply refused to start.
Took it to the garage who tried alsorts, sensor this, BCU that etc etc.
To cut a long story short, after a month in the garage and 900 quid in bills I was told it was a corroded connection.
Might be worth taking some connections apart and looking for a green one, giving it a clean and connecting it again.

Maybe this will work for you, it's a fairly easy if a bit of a dirty job.
All Fiats I've owned have had crappy electrics.