Technical No starting problem

[Stovesweep]

Hiya folks. Trouble starting my Fiat Doblo Cargo 1.3 diesel multijet. 2008
New items:
Battery
Ignition switch
New chip and key
New transponder ring
Cam sensor
Starter motor
Most of the time it won't even crank, when it does crank it don't fire,
I have managed to get it started with easy start and it will keep running but refuses to start without it
Any help would be welcome

 

[Mike1alike]

Most of the time it won't even crank, when it does crank it don't fire,

Sounds like improper cables connections/bad cables.
Check them all, especially the ground cable.

 

[Mike1alike]

PS: Your title is tricky. Reading just the title, I thought you have no problem starting.

 

[Stovesweep]

Yes I see what you mean

 

[Mike1alike]

Probably the starter motor connections are your problem and/or something wrong with the starter motor cables.
This is a great video about it

Have that checked and also do check the ground cable. It is very important for the good functioning of the engine that the ground cable and it's connections to be in mint condition.
Also, do clean the contacts on the battery terminals and make sure they aren't loose.

 

[Stovesweep]

Yea I've done all that. The starter motor has been changed, I'm starting to doubt it's quality.

 

[Stovesweep]

Good video Mike

 

[Mike1alike]

Yea I've done all that. The starter motor has been changed, I'm starting to doubt it's quality.

I know that, you said it in the first post. But for it to work well, needs good connections.
Oh, and there is one more thing you should keep your eyes on. The crankshaft positioning sensor. If that is bad, it cuts the fuel injection, ECU not sensing the engine is revolving. So watch the RPM gauge while cranking. Normal behavior is the needle being on 200 ~ 300 RPM while cranking. If the needle stays down, not moving, means the sensor is bad and it is the problem.

 

[Stovesweep]

You're a star, I'll check that. I can't get my mind off it being the ecu at fault. According to Utube a faulty ecu gives starting and cranking prblems. It won't start even when it cranks unless I fool it with easy start.

 

[Mike1alike]

No need to worry about that, it's not ECU. If it is, the engine doesn't run well after you fool it with easy start. And when ECU is faulty you alway can see some registered errors in reference to the line it went off.
Also, when the crankshaft positioning sensor goes bad you don't get any error registered, ECU not "knowing" the engine is physically revolving. It only knows that when crankshaft sensor "tells" it and if there is no voltage = no movement. Therefore no fuel injection. And this is kind of a "trademark" of crankshaft positioning sensor going bad. It doesn't just stop working, it works intermittently with almost no behavioral pattern. That makes it hard to pin point it being at fault if you don't know about it and don't pay attention to RPM gauge while cranking.

 

[Stovesweep]

Cheers I will go and try that now

 

[Mike1alike]

And before even thinking about considering ECU, being a diesel engine you would first consider the glow plugs. But from your description I don't think they are at fault. If they were, you would have an error mentioning it, so connecting a diagnose tool could point you in some direction.

 

[Stovesweep]

The tacho does read about 200 rpm when cranking, does that mean the ecu should register that? And does that show that the crankshaft sensor is ok?

 

[Mike1alike]

Yes, it shows crankshaft sensor is ok.
Did it still not start?

 

[Stovesweep]

It fires for about two seconds but won't keep running

 

[Mike1alike]

Did you connect a diagnose tool? Is there any stored error?
How are the glow plugs? Did you ever replaced them? What's the mileage on the car?

 

[Stovesweep]

I don't own an obd but a friend is coming tomorrow afternoon and try again. Last time he tried he couldn't contact it, the dashboard lights seemed to dim

 

[Mike1alike]

What about the glow plugs?

 

[Stovesweep]

I'll see if he can check for that tomorrow. It kinda feels like feul is not getting through to me.
Thanks so much for all your help

 

[Mike1alike]

But did you ever replaced them? What's the mileage on the car?