Technical I always need to start twice

[MaartenM]

I have a Fiat Ducato 2.8 from 2005. It runs great, does not smoke, has plenty of power and does not use a drop of oil.

But it does have one issue:

I always have to start twice. When I start it usually starts quickly and then dies again the moment I let go of the key.
Then I start again, and it runs as smooth as ever.
This happens when it is cold, when it is hot, when I switched it off for 5 minutes.

There is no fuel leak. At least, I do not smell diesel and the block is clean.

I have heared from someone else who had the same problem for many years and never found a solution.

At itself it is not a serious issue, but it does mean the the starter gets worked twice as much as normal. And that is not nice.

Any ideas?

 

[Mike1alike]

How healthy/charged up is the battery?

 

[MaartenM]

How healthy/charged up is the battery?

Hi Mike,
Battery is in tip top shape.

 

[Communicator]

I have a Fiat Ducato 2.8 from 2005. It runs great, does not smoke, has plenty of power and does not use a drop of oil.

But it does have one issue:

I always have to start twice. When I start it usually starts quickly and then dies again the moment I let go of the key.
Then I start again, and it runs as smooth as ever.
This happens when it is cold, when it is hot, when I switched it off for 5 minutes.

There is no fuel leak. At least, I do not smell diesel and the block is clean.

I have heared from someone else who had the same problem for many years and never found a solution.

At itself it is not a serious issue, but it does mean the the starter gets worked twice as much as normal. And that is not nice.

Any ideas?

There are several possible causes for a 2.8jtd stalling immediately after starting, but why should it be OK at the second attempt? Have you checked to see whether any fault codes are stored?

 

[MaartenM]

How healthy/charged up is the battery?

Hi Mike,
Battery is in tip top shape

There are several possible causes for a 2.8jtd stalling immediately after starting, but why should it be OK at the second attempt? Have you checked to see whether any fault codes are stored?

No. I don't have a reader. And there are no lights on the dash, so I doubt there is a fault detected (or the check engine light would be on)

Reasons could be: fuelpump letting fuel run back when off in combination with a small (inward) leak in (for example) the fuel filter. It fires up with the fuel in the injectiin pump, but immediately starves. Second start brings enough fuel back into injector pump.

This is one of many possible reasons, but every engine has its quirks and I was hoping someone would recognize it.

I might get a ODB reader, but to get it just for this is a bit of a waste. I'm an old fashioned mechanic. I prefer to listen to the engine instead.

 

[lancepar]

Is this thread of use?

Glow plug relay location | FIAT Ducato

Hi I see that this was covered in a previous post in 2009, but received no replies. So giving it another go, with the difference being it is for my 2005 Rapido Motorhome, with 2.8 ODE. I have checked the relevant fuse, but no indication of pre-heat on panel. Suspect the relay but not able to...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[Communicator]

Is this thread of use?

Glow plug relay location | FIAT Ducato

Hi I see that this was covered in a previous post in 2009, but received no replies. So giving it another go, with the difference being it is for my 2005 Rapido Motorhome, with 2.8 ODE. I have checked the relevant fuse, but no indication of pre-heat on panel. Suspect the relay but not able to...

www.fiatforum.com

Perhaps post #16 made by @Anthony489 , suggesting reasons why a warning light may not be lit, is worth noting. The x244 does not have a canbus, so that possibility has to be excluded.