New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

Stuey · 2021-04-30 19:57:24

Hi everyone,

Im a new member who has just discovered this forum while googling help with my Citroen Dispatch 2006, so apologies that my first post is asking for help.

I bought a Citroen Dispatch 2006 1.9D last year with a full MOT and have started to turn it into a campervan. I declared it sorn while converting and have almost completed the conversion so booked it in for its MOT. It always started no problem but on the day of its mot it wouldn't start so i had to cancel the MOT as I couldnt get it there. I noticed that on the dash the Stop light was lit up and so was the Oil and Battery lights.

I fully charged the battery and everything electric works so I dont think battery is the problem.

Previous MOT shows it has a small oil leek so i topped up the oil and it started, next day it wouldn't start with same lights displayed.

When i turn the ignition - Stop light , Oil Light, Battery Light and Parking/brake lights are on, Glow plug light comes on and goes off, and there is a small buzzing noise for a few seconds but when i try to crank the ignition nothing happens?

So i wonder if anyone has any idea of what the issue is? could it be the immobilizer or does the engine management not allow the engine to start if the oil pressure is too low?

Any help would be greatly appreciated , thanks

Casper · 2021-04-30 20:55:31

A battery can read 12.??? V yet still be buggered. Not enough CCA left to turn your motor so try a known good battery or hook u to another car. Dont start the van when the glow plug lights go out. Listen for the relay to click off. If like my last 1.9 that was around 37 seconds. You may not be getting diesel. Air in system will make it not start. Engine will crank but no vroom vroom. The seal round fuel filter must be tight and the aftermarket stuff you get sometimes with new filters are shite and let air in so fuel runs back to the tank. Try the prime button or as a one off try blasting easy start or even some break and clutch cleaner up the air intake to see if it will fire into life.

Stuey · 2021-04-30 22:17:16

Thanks for the swift reply. I'll try a different battery first as that seems more likely. Not sure about the possibility of air in the fuel line as the starter motor doesn't even turn.
Does the oil light being on point to anything as there seems to be enough in?

OAT · 2021-04-30 22:21:38

I would expect the oil pressure light to be on until engine runs.

Casper · 2021-04-30 23:29:06

Aye Stuey. Oil light should be on. Some motors it goes out after a few seconds and other when the van starts so that is no drama. I presume you hear the starter motor solenoid clicking when you try and start it. If you are adamant you have a good as new battery the starter could be sticking. Give it a tap with an ammer or rock it back n forth in gear then try but my money is on battery.

Stuey · 2021-05-01 14:17:51

Thanks for the suggestions but no luck so far.

Fully charged the battery overnight and no difference. it jumped my car straight away and my car battery had no effect on the van.

Tried tapping the starter motor and no difference.

I wonder if theres a loose connection somewhere as there is nothing when i turn the key? when I had a low battery when i first bought it it still tried to turn over and the dash lights dimmed but now there is nothing. As this happened the other day and it started when i topped the oil up I wonder if i knocked a wire somewhere and thats why it started?

Seems like everything is working except there is nothing telling the starter motor to turn? the immobiliser light goes out when i turn the key to start the glowplugs. Stoplight is on.

Stuey · 2021-05-01 16:21:38

So i just managed to get the van started through blind luck or stubbornness big_smile

I gave all of the cables and connectors under the bonnet a wiggle and poke. I also jacked up the van so I could get a better swing at the starter motor and give it a harder whack with a small hammer. Turned the key and it started right up? So im not sure if its a sticky starter motor or loose connection some where but its booked in for its mot next week and il ask the garage to take a look while its there, hopefully they can identify the issue and sort it.

Thanks for your help and i'll update this post in case it helps anyone else. ill also take a few pics of the camper conversion in case anyone is interested?

Casper · 2021-05-01 21:17:40

Shit earth is also another issue for bad starting. Battery to chassis. Take the black lead off and clean both ends mating surfaces. Unsure where on the dispatch but you have a 2nd one from back of engine to chassis. Probably around the starter motor. Cleaning them ends also helps. Are you sure your glow plugs are getting power? Dont go by light on dash get a meter and make sure they are all getting 12v or even working

OAT · 2021-05-01 23:03:10

The buzzing suggests a dodgy relay?

Stuey · 2021-05-02 22:30:49

Perhaps buzzing isn't the best description, sounds more like a cd/dvd loading.

The van is now starting up as soon as the glow plug lights go out so I think it may have just been the stater motor playing up.

vaz2121 · 2021-05-04 13:15:46

I'm begining to wonder the same thing also about starter acting up.......
With it sitting doing nothing for a bit has the bendix or internals got rusty/accumulated Sh** and stuck............
Being 2006 and most probabley the Original it will have accumulated sh** over that time and lack of use ETC ...........
Caspers right a dead or dying starter Can be jolted into life [at least once] with a smack or three

This pandemic/idleness thing has accelerated the fate of lots of things ..........

The buzzing .........
Is it that 5 seconds or so of "Chatter" when ignition is first energised

Sh** Engine Earths............
I've had them try and go on fire by earthing through a wire to small to carry current and or weld accelerator cable internals to the outer.........
Melting the plastics on cable outers is usually a good indicator if this is an ongoing issue........

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#1 2021-04-30 19:57:24

New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#2 2021-04-30 20:55:31

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#3 2021-04-30 22:17:16

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#4 2021-04-30 22:21:38

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#5 2021-04-30 23:29:06

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#6 2021-05-01 14:17:51

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#7 2021-05-01 16:21:38

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#8 2021-05-01 21:17:40

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#9 2021-05-01 23:03:10

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#10 2021-05-02 22:30:49

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

#11 2021-05-04 13:15:46

Re: New Member - Need help diagnosing starting problem

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