Technical Intermitten Hiccup & starting problems

[E3P0]

Hi
I have a 2001 Multipla 1.9 JTD which exhibits three issues, and is it normal for the heater plugs warning light to flash for 30 seconds after a normal start?

The first is that while driving it hiccups every now and then. Some days it does it quite frequently every mile or two and sometimes it doesn't do it at all.
Yesterday it had a big hiccup and I noticed the rev counter drop to zero during the hiccup.

The second issue is sometimes after a short stop it will not restart. However, if you wait 15 minutes it will restart. When it first started doing this the time to restart seemed much shorter.

The third issue is sometimes while at tick-over it will cut out. Most of the time when it stops in this way it will then revert to issue two.
My wife will not drive the car now as it stopped on her at some busy lights recently and would not restart.

Many of the topics on this forum strongly imply I should not take it to a dealer. So I would like to read the ECU myself; I have recently joined the UniDiag yahoo group but obtaining information on identifying and obtaining the correct connection cable for my ECU has proved difficult.

I have various suspects as to the causes for these problems, firstly I have considered to immobiliser unit for the restarting problems. Secondly it has occurred to me that a faulty fuel pump could be the cause. And thirdly I think it may be the crank sensor.

Any Ideas

 

[T14086]

is it normal for the heater plugs warning light to flash for 30 seconds after a normal start?

Sounds like needs a glow plug(s)

Many of the topics on this forum strongly imply I should not take it to a dealer.

Says who? Most of the time faults go unresolved for weeks/months & parts are brought on a 'guess basis' until owner goes to dealer

 

[rolo]

Yep glow plugs which are a pig to get at,only likely to be an issue when starting in subzero temperatures.Cutting out is probably crank sensor....fairly straight forward diy change.My nearest dealer has always given a good service,not cheap but always sorted problems.Only nightmare was with a local independant who couldnt sort a problem,ended up at the dealer where I should have taken it in the first place.

 

[a1ant]

Hi mate,

As said above, flashing glow plug light indicates a fualt in the pre-heat system --- normally caused by 1 or more dead glow plugs. SOmetimes a fualty cold start controll unit but i wouldnt worry about that yet. You can test the glow plugs easily with a multi-meter if you want to check them as they can be a pain to get at.

I second the crank sensor for the cutting out if you click HERE there is a guide with pictures on how to replace it if you want to have a go yourself. Dead easy to do.

Also I second whats said above about dealers. Not all are poo, the few give the many a bad name as it were.

Hope that helps,
Alan

 

[JTDman]

As above really , crank sensor is my first thought then followed by aftermarket immobiliser if it has one.