Hi.
I’m an owner of Fiat Bravo 1,9 8v multijet 08 plate 24000 miles and I have an issue with morning and after work starting (when the car was left for a good 8 hrs) so truly cold start. The thing is that when starting the engine (proper sequence, glow plugs light goes off) 7 out of 10 times it comes to life with a major kick (shakes the whole car like it was meant to rip out something). I’ve noticed that it happens most often when the days are warm but it’s not a rule. It’s not dependant on the type of diesel because till now I’ve tested Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Shell (both cheaper and v-power), BP , Esso and that’s about it and it’s same on all of them. Even
Yesterday I’ve taken it to Mangoletsi but they can’t fault i . So does anyone of You has any idea what is going on with that car?
It has still few months of warranty left but that thing is absolutely driving me crazy :bang:.
Please advise.

take to another dealer

I've got the same engine, and I had issues with starting a cold engine on a warm day. Turned over a lot before firing.

Now I have no problem. I don't turn the key instantly the glowplug light goes out, but wait a couple of seconds after. I think on a warm day the glowplug light goes out too quickly, before the fuel pump has had a chance to build up pressure in the common rail. Others have said you can hear the fuel pump, but I can't. Try it and see.

I’ve spent some time searching for solution to that thing as well. As You say it’s posted somewhere to keep it heating up for a few extra seconds, wait for that pump to go out ( can’t hear it either) or turn the key on and off few times. Bu t nothing seems to work. Wonder thou if replacing glow plugs would make any difference or what actually is causing this issue.

Maybe its a silly question but how long do you wait before you switch off the engine? I have noticed that when I am in a rush and dont wait for at least one minute before switching the engine off, next time I start the engine rpms go around 1,5k and then fall to 1k and then to 750. Maybe this first peak in your car feels like a kick..

Hiya

I've Just bought the same bravo two weeks ago and Im having the same issue, its got 37,000 on the clock. It seems that upon waiting for the glow plug light to go out, it only manages 0.5 of a second before it goes off and you can hear the relay disengage. I've spoken to a friend who is an auto electrician with many years experience, he thinks that its down to worn out glow plug/plugs or a wiring issue between the relay and the plugs. He said to me today that if the relay doesn't detect any resistance on the plug it will simply switch itself off as if they weren't there, hence the ropey/juddery/misfiring start since the plugs haven't had time to warm up. I truly hope this is all thats wrong with it. I am taking it to see him on Monday at his garage before I go down the dealer route as to be perfectly honest I don't believe any of them when they say something needs doing on a car. If it is the relay thats at fault, thats covered by the fiat manufacturer warranty however I'll have to pay to get it transferred to my name and it runs out at the end of this month so hardly seems worth it unless a severe fault.

I'll keep you posted on Monday as to what the diagnosis is.

Cheers

Andy

Hi all.

I have the same 1.9 8V diesel and I will get the same juddery start if I try to crank the engine from cold too quickly. You have to give it a good 5 seconds at least when you initially turn the key. I can often tell that the car will start smoothly as I can hear the fuel pump energising then going quiet. I'll then turn the engine over without juddering. This works about 90% of the time, sometimes it makes no difference. Just a quirk with the beast!

Hi All

Had the car up to the garage in Tantobie today, checked the system out, no problems at all. Apparently there were 3 fault codes on the system but they were reset and John went through loads of testing on his diagnosis kit, all temps and pressures fine and the faults did not re-present themselves. Apparently on the 1.9 JTDi the fuel is already under a great deal of pressure so it doesn't need much assistance from the glow plugs to start up which can cause the engine to be much heavier on initial startup from cold. I noticed this morning before I went to the garage that the coil light stayed illuminated for a few secs rather than 0.5 secs and it started easier. It was a much colder morning here in Durham today. Was also told that the glow plugs will only really stay engaged for longer as the outside temperature becomes lower. I'll keep monitoring everything but I was basically told theres nothing wrong with the car at this time so don't worry.

Cheers

Andy

I got the perfect solution for you all.

Buy a T-Jet !!!

this thread is about a 'judder/kick' start.

It's been a while and in the meantime i had gearbox cushion replaced because there was a chance it was worn off but nope, no difference. Still the same issue every morning, afternoon, evening and it's even getting worse. Only this week three times it wouldn't start at all if not to a friendly manpower. Car is going back to garage and this time i've requested glow plug replacement which is going to cost me around 200 but well hopefully it's gonna sort it out.

Will let you know in a week or so.

Did anyone resolve this? Mine does the same, have had the glowplugs, relay, cam sensor and cam kit changed, and it still does exactly this. Anyone got any ideas? I was wondering if it's a wiring issue, but why would that be an issue with engine temperature? Confused

If your car shakes to much (metal touch) when u start it, you must change the nether gearbox bearer (there are 2) I think the part nubmer is 51811543, app.30€
I change it on my 1.9 bravo and it works.

Have fun

davidbravo said:

If your car shakes to much (metal touch) when u start it, you must change the nether gearbox bearer (there are 2) I think the part nubmer is 51811543, app.30€
I change it on my 1.9 bravo and it works.

Have fun

Click to expand...

Thanks. However, it's the fact that it doesn't want to start when left overnight etc and the "Check glowplug" warning comes up that I'm trying to sort. I think the banging is only caused because of the fact the car doesn't want to start properly, so sorting the starting problem will in effect sort the other issues.

The banging is a sign that you either don't let it heat up properly before starting or your car needs a good service with cleanup of the sensors.

I serviced and cleaned my EGR valve yesterday and the car's starting and running much better than before.

just brought my gf the same car. 8valve 120t with 34,000 on the clock on a 57plate. that has the banging noise when it starts and i thought at first it would be a worm mount or loose exhaust but after a few little tests and looking at it i cant find what it could be. goes back to dealer tomorrow. as for starting, only once did it turn over a few times before firing, i put that down to the engine being semi warm and a censor getting confused. my old 05reg astra used to do it from time to time when engine was semi warm.

On mine it didn't matter how long you left it before you turned it on, no length of time made the slightest difference. Sometimes it would take three or four attempts to get it to start.

Car went back to the specialist yesterday, and they say that there was something wrong with the wiring between the glowplug relay and the glowplugs, "opening up too much". Not sure what that means as I didn't get to speak to the mechanic, but if it helps anyone else who happens upon this in the future, that's what cured mine (touch wood - first morning since I've owned it that it started perfectly!!) so might be worth mentioning to whoever is trying to find out why it's playing up

Did the electrician or mechanic fix it?
How much that costed you?
More info, please!

how did you or electrician fix wiring fault??

My 1.9 bravo does the same but sometimes when i leave it a few seconds the key wont even turn to turn to turn engine on, so I have to switch it right off then turn key all way to start engine