Technical Doblo COLD START problems

[jukedock]

Me again, I know a 'newbie' looking for all the answers.

My Doblo since I owned it (51 plate) for the last 12 months has a problem with starting.

Normally in nice weather it will start fine - but the coil light will flash. User manual says 'there is a problem but we arent going to tell you'

No it is getting cold, I am getting white 'smoke' behind whilst starting, and it takes at least 60-90 seconds of turning over for it to finally fire. Once it starts it is fine restarting until it gets real cold again. On both of these situations - the light flashes on the dashboard for about a minute approx.

New glow plugs were installed 6 months ago - it still did not cure the problem of the light flashing, but as it is not cold that time of year.

I am told that the white 'smoke' is unburnt fuel.

As usual the fiat dealers wont let anything 'out' about what this could be.

I am in Birmingham UK - can anyone help me, post a reply or recommend someone who can sort this out without me paying dealer prices ?

Thanks in advance chaps.

Phil

 

[The Sultan]

cold start light flashing after startup indicates heater plug failure hense cold starting problem

 

[T14086]

As usual the fiat dealers wont let anything 'out' about what this could be.

Its a business not a charity!

Check your glow plug resistances.

 

[andybloke]

cold start light flashing after startup indicates heater plug failure hense cold starting problem

Or cold fuel. Apparently there is a temperature sensor in the fuel filter housing. I think this is to allow the EMU to gauge the viscosity of the diesel, and adjust the injection timing accordingly. Not sure if the fuel temp reading is available on OBD (never found a list of codes), but a full bosch diagnostics gadget should identify this.

I had the fuel filter assembly replaced by a dealer, which stopped the warning and the smokey startup.

HTH

 

[Niall_G]

Phil,

Are you able to gain access to the glowplugs where the cable attaches to them? If so a simple volt meter would confim if they were being supplied power while trying to start.

Have you tried giving the plugs a couple of goes before actually trying to start the engine (had to do this on an old Sierra diesel for a few days before I could get 2 faulty plugs changed a few years ago).

Brum isn't too far from Wellingborough. The garage I use for Mrs_G's Doblo is excellent. (Owner is very knowledgeable with a very wide experience, always does a very good job - thinks about a problem rather than just throwing new parts on a vehicle until the fault goes away). I have no interest in them other than being a very satisfied customer. If you want their details let me know.

LUKHYGO

Niall

 

[T14086]

Phil,

Are you able to gain access to the glowplugs where the cable attaches to them? If so a simple volt meter would confim if they were being supplied power while trying to start.

After that check resistances of plugs...only real thing that can go wrong with them is going open circuit.