Technical Van won't start with rapid clicking sound

[Jd951]

Hi folks, looking to see if anyone has any ideas of what my issue could be. I have a 1.6 multijet doblo 2014.

My van won't start, its always had a rough start when cold since I got it last year when the weather gets cold. Will sound a bit rattly and low revs and the accelerator doesn't do anything until about 30 seconds after starting. Its always worked though and never skipped a beat and I was told thats just what they are known to do.

I came out of work the other day though and the van didn't start. All electrics inside were working but when trying to turn on there was a rapid clicking sound like a solenoid or relay clicking. I had a look on here and it sounded like battery issues so I've replaced the battery. This didn't work though and I tried to have someone jump start it in case the battery from the shop wasn't full but this didn't work either. Another thing after reading threads I tried was cleaning the contacts and then linking the negative to something grounded in the engine block to check for a corroded earth but this didn't work either.

Does anyone have any suggestions to what I can try next?

 

[Greasytrucker]

You could try arcing the connections on the back of the solenoid with a big screwdriver and see if it turns over like that, if it does then it’s your solenoid, just make sure it’s out of gear first though if you’re gonna try that!

 

[Jd951]

Thanks for the help, do you know where it would be? I also forgot to mention that when I changed the battery it did start up roughly and then died again

 

[Greasytrucker]

Sits on top of starter motor (depending on how it sits) Just be aware it’ll most probably spark a bit whilst trying and only try it just for a second or two just to see if it makes the starter operate

 

[Jd951]

Thank you again. Its stuck at work at the moment so will be good fun trying to get to the starter as I'm sure its underneath the engine in these!

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks for the help, do you know where it would be? I also forgot to mention that when I changed the battery it did start up roughly and then died again

Might point to a cable breaking down..

Wriggling battery connections made a difference

Odd that a jumper cable to another car didn't help though.. As that would almost rule out your battery to motor earth cable failing

 

[AnthonyH]

Could be one of your spark plugs has died. When were they last changed?

 

[varesecrazy]

Could be one of your spark plugs has died. When were they last changed?

New battery should not change that..

If it's clicking not cranking it's a problem with the electrical circuit to the starter..

But if it runs rough generally then yes it might be running on 3 x cylinders

 

[AnthonyH]

New battery should not change that..

If it's clicking not cranking it's a problem with the electrical circuit to the starter..

But if it runs rough generally then yes it might be running on 3 x cylinders

I think it needed a new battery and still has a dead spark plug. So both things came at once, its always extra fun when two things go at once

 

[Jd951]

Hi folks was at it for a while tonight, appreciate all the help.

Managed to get it running and thought I'd post for anyone in the future.

Tried to connect between the negative and the cable on the body itself but nothing, took off the engine cover and connected between negative and directly on the engine block and it started up so guessing its a breakdown of the cable between the engine/starter.

Hopefully helps someone else

 

[Greasytrucker]

Well done mate, glad you sorted it

 

[varesecrazy]

Be interesting to see if it now runs better with a new Battery and Earth cable

 

[Jd951]

Changed the earth cable and its starting again the crimp snapped off in my hand at the end of the insulation so that was the issue.

Started first time but still doing the same thing with the rough start. It seems to start rough with low revs almost like not all cylinders are firing and it was smoking quite a bit with a bad diesel smell and smoking. The accelerator doesn't work for about 30 second either. After about 5 minutes of driving it started to run fine and smoke was away.

Usually when it does this i can turn it off when still at low revs, turn it back on and the accelerator will work as it starts on a proper idle.

Any ideas of a cure for this one?

 

[varesecrazy]

Changed the earth cable and its starting again the crimp snapped off in my hand at the end of the insulation so that was the issue.

Started first time but still doing the same thing with the rough start. It seems to start rough with low revs almost like not all cylinders are firing and it was smoking quite a bit with a bad diesel smell and smoking. The accelerator doesn't work for about 30 second either. After about 5 minutes of driving it started to run fine and smoke was away.

Usually when it does this i can turn it off when still at low revs, turn it back on and the accelerator will work as it starts on a proper idle.

Any ideas of a cure for this one?

What does the glow plug light do..?

On for 10 seconds when cold.. And only 2 or 3 when warm?

 

[Jd951]

When cold its still only on for 2 or 3 seconds, but I've tried turning the barrel just before turning it on so the glow plugs come on 2 or 3 times before starting but it still seems to do the same. Would that be a fault if they're only on for 2 or 3 when cold though?

 

[varesecrazy]

When cold its still only on for 2 or 3 seconds, but I've tried turning the barrel just before turning it on so the glow plugs come on 2 or 3 times before starting but it still seems to do the same. Would that be a fault if they're only on for 2 or 3 when cold though?

Personally, I would spend 20 minutes checking plugs get power

My experience of my old mjet :
the light worked although plugs received no power (a failed glowplug had blown the Megafuse)

 

[Greasytrucker]

When cold its still only on for 2 or 3 seconds, but I've tried turning the barrel just before turning it on so the glow plugs come on 2 or 3 times before starting but it still seems to do the same. Would that be a fault if they're only on for 2 or 3 when cold though?

Does the glow plug light stay on for longer if you disconnect the green temperature sensor and try and start it? Just be aware it does put the engine light on but it’s the only way i can get my 1.9 Sedici to start sometimes. If so you’ve got the same problem as me!

 

[Jd951]

I'll try that next, it would make sense for it to be that, its now running but usually starts first time without being rough in summer straight away accelerator works. Is the temperature sensor a replaceable part?

 

[Greasytrucker]

replaced mine, still same as it was

 

[varesecrazy]

I'll try that next, it would make sense for it to be that, its now running but usually starts first time without being rough in summer straight away accelerator works. Is the temperature sensor a replaceable part?

It sounds like you've got a cold cylinder..
Had that with my 1.9 ( dead plugs were a nightmare on those)
You barely notice in the summer, but COLD weather it won't be enough heat to light it up

Do check the plug leads are seeing power (some are 12v..some are lower, obviously you want to see the same at each lead) had that on my 1.3

Will link to that info

Plenty of info here.. Do click on the links too,

Need help identifying battery wire - Fiat Doblo 2008 1.3 | FIAT Doblo

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www.fiatforum.com