Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD

About 3 weeks ago the car started to judder whilst driving, almost like a loss of power. Then it was fine. Since then the alternator failure light has come on, but the battery has been strong when she is being cranked over. There has been lots of white ish smoke coming out of the exhaust, which smells odd (like a plastic smell).

Now it wont start and the dash lights have gone out. I left it for a day and then she started first time but wouldn't rev over 1500rpm and cut out, wouldn't start again. I called the mechanic and he took it away - he started it first time in his garage and took it for a run - no problems. He then tried again in the afternoon and it wouldn't start. He put it on the computer but there were no fault codes, he tried his mates software and still no fault codes.

It still not starting and the mechanic has said he doesn't know what to suggest, but has looked online and suggests a problem with the dashboard circuits, but wont commit to it being that.

Any suggestion???

"White smoke" suggests water in the combustion area. Head gasket or water in the fuel?

have the alternator checked for a start.

check the fuse box on the battery-check the positive lead to the starter-check the battery clamps. look for corrosion, breaks etc.

Disconnect the battery for an hour, ensure the battery is fully charged during this time. When you put it all back, put the key in but dont start the car, just turn the dash on-note what happens, what lights come on etc

White smoke can also suggest timing issues, which if you are having electrical problems that could mean issues with fuel injection etc, you might also have a damaged injector or similar.

this will probably take some diagnosing, but id be getting the electrical side of things checked first - alternator, battery, cables and fuses. best of luck.

The car has done 58k with no problems ever. It's now at the garage who are towing it back this week still not starting. The latest is that the battery is flat from trying to start it and there are two lights on the dashboard constantly on even when there there are no keys in the ignition. Garage have failed to find the fault......

if thats the case, Im even more suspicious of bad earth and bad connections. they need to stop pissing about flattening the battery, which frankly is amateurish for a garage, its going to cause furthur damage.

Id be getting that battery out and changed or charged, and while it is out, check and clean the fuse box, clamps, positive to starter-check both ends, and check all earth straps, maybe even add one to see if that elliminates the two lights on the dash etc...

Could it be the crank sensor?

Crank sensor would generate a fault code. As your garage(s) say there are no fault codes, it won't be the crank sensor... unless your garage(s) are using the wrong diagnostic equipment.

Which, if any, of the suggestions posted by "Clivvy" and "cris1117" above have you or your garage tried?

There's no point people trying to help you if you're not going to respond to their suggestions.

I finally got it going today, its was the EGR valve, she now runs like new - but the lights are on the dash are still lit up constantly, which is going to run down the battery. None of the clocks work and the indicator lights are constantly on along with the full beam light......

I have driven it for a few miles - but no change on the dash.... any ideas?