General Problems with starting

[Emma1980]

Hi all, new on here, bought my sedici 5 weeks ago, 56 plate 1.9 multi-jet. drove it for 2 weeks and seemed to be having problems starting car up as it doesn't always turn over, also noticed car judders alot when in stationary position..... just wondered is this normal? its very noisy too. It went back to the garage ( under warranty ) for 2 weeks had new starter motor, fuel filter, egr valve replaced injectors and new battery, alternator checked. had it back for 1 week, not started 1st time in the morning all week, sometimes does later in the day. would the cold weather not make it start first time everyday? my last diesel car managed to start in all weather. any ideas anyone?

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
it does sound like they've potentially changed most of the normal things..,

what kind of garage is this..??,
how old / many miles on car?

try this,
turn the key to the 1st position, wait for the glow plug heater light to go out,
then turn off .. and do it again, repeat this 4 times,

then twist key to starter position,

does it start 1st time doing this..??,

if so then it's likely to be a glow-plug problem, = not getting hot enough in 1 cycle of heating,
try this 1st - and let us know what you find,

also try posting in Stilo - or Marea section too - same engines!! , as there aren't too many using the sedici section,
have fun,
Charlie

 

[dieselglider]

I'm surprised the glow plugs weren't replaced at the beginning, unless they tested ok. Usually check glow plugs, then fuel run back, then compression for diesel cold start problems. Well, in the old days anyway..

 

[chumbamoo]

Hi Emma
Sounds like a similar problem to our Sedici....

Intermittant cold start problems and weak revs (poor idling) under braking.

We tried new glow plugs...... Glow plug relay... New heavy duty battery... Earth straps but were unsuccessful.
(newer diesel engines rely more on compression for cold starts than the glow plugs unless seriously cold)

If you find the fix could you please let us know.

Have a fear it could be compression or fuel leak back (air in system) on our multijet diesel.

Thought about crankshaft and camshaft sensors but no fault readings stored.

 

[varesecrazy]

just a thought..,
BUT - vacuum leak springs to mind with the braking link..!!

Unsure of your vehicles specifics , but there is often a cam-driven VAC. pump on diesels ,
used for motor set-up , AND your brake servo.,
Charlie

 

[Emma1980]

Thanks for the replies, its done 37k , warming the glowplugs sometimes works. This past week.. good old english weather has given us snow, ice and 7c here, yet it still takes a while to turn over, sometimes 2-3 attempts. waiting for a call on monday from autoworld to see what they have to say next. They've had it longer than me since i bought it!!

 

[varesecrazy]

What kind of garage are doing this work..??,


noisy doesn't sound right..!!,
Charlie

 

[Emma1980]

noisy.... my wordings aren't the best. it sounds and feels like i'm driving a tank, even worse in reverse, looks like the dash board and steering wheel are going to fly off.
Autoworld have their own prep centre so thats where it goes. called " The mot centre " chesterfield

 

[varesecrazy]

that doesn't sound at all good..!!,
is this a warranty job..??,
or are you paying them good money to mess around with something they don't appear to know about?,

maybe give these poeple a call = http://www.fiattecnico.co.uk/ as they've been recommended in the "garages" section on here,

Charlie

 

[Emma1980]

Its still under warranty thank goodness.. They've now said the non-starting is a common problem in these cars, i can't understand why they've ( apparently ) spent money trying to fix something that they now say won't change.
But they have said i can swap the car for another if i wish. only other sedici they have is a petrol dynamic, plenty of tiny city cars to pick from but they are no good for me!!

 

[dieselglider]

"They've now said the non-starting is a common problem in these cars,,"

I don't really believe that, though they seem to be offering you a get out, which may be worth thinking about as they don't seem to know how to fix the problem.

I'm assuming by its age, that your Sedici is a 4 wheel drive model. Is the petrol one also 4wd, and is that what you need/want? They were all 4wd up until sometime in 2008(?), when 2wd became an option. I have an '07 petrol version 4wd Dynamic, and have had it nearly 2 years, which is quite long for me... Doing an easy 7 mile commute, with the odd longer run, averages me 38mpg winter/ 42mpg summer. Certainly not a performance car, but it gets me from A to B ok.

The reason I choose the petrol was mainly to avoid any potential DPF/EGR problems, due to my short journeys, and petrol warms up quicker!

 

[Emma1980]

I am now the owner of the petrol sedici.. 2008 18,000 miles. been driving it for 5 days now... such a difference, for a start i can hardly hear the engine and its so smooth to drive. Fingers crossed i will have no more problems. Thanks for all the replies from you guys.
BE WARNED.... Anyone going to a car auction, stay well away from the 56 plate black diesel sedici unless you have plenty of money to spare.

 

[varesecrazy]

Glad you got a nice car from it all,


I suspect anybody who knows thier diesel technology would make it a good car again,
Charlie