Erratic Starting

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homerdog

Member
Joined
May 1, 2010
Messages
5
I've a 54 Terrano 3.0di and it has been magic for the last 6 yrs. However, it's now playing me up by being inconsistent when starting from cold and on the odd occasion when cooled off but, not stone cold.

It first did it in N.Wales when it had been standing for for 2-3 hrs.Not a cough and that dead feeling.Had a walk around the car park and it fired first time.

Couple of weeks later, did it again at a site. A cuppa was drunk and it started first time.

End of October, same again with the 'van hitched up ready for a week away. Jump leads attached and it fired straight away.Off we went and it was perfect the whole week.

Middle November, did it again outside home and called mate who sent the lads out with slave battery. Connected it up and and bingo.They took it away and checked and the Alternator was kapput, so new alternator. Few days later, it did it again, so out come the meter and a cell had gone on the 10 month old Varta battery.They didn't want to know, as they said it was the alternator that was at fault. Understandable but annoying.

Bosch battery fitted and away we go. That is until three days later! Usual routine, although this time the sparky gave it the once over. No fault codes, glow plug relay fine and temp sender fine. Suggested pulling the plug off the ignition switch and cleaning the thing up and squirty stuff applied.Fires first time.Bingo great!

Today it doesn't start and it didn't cough.Lads arrive, hook it up and off it goes. We get it to the shop and I pull bits off to get to the glow plugs and find they are all naff. Current from the relay but nothing to the plugs.Will be getting new ones in when everywhere opens on Monday.

So, what I want to know, is what are we missing? I have always thought immobilizer but, the sparky said no. However, I think he's wrong somehow, as after cranking until the battery is slowing down, it doesn't smoke the place out, which I think it ought to. In fact, it has only really smoked on a couple of non starts.Leading to me thinking no fuel.A voltage drop could be confusing the e.c.u. I suppose but which sensor is playing up and would the starter drop it enough? Its got 100k on it and I keep it well maintained by the book as I rely on it.

Any thoughts and suggestions are very welcome.:bow:bow
 
How did you check the glow plugs? pull the contact strip off the top and check each one with Ohm meter or simply tested for 12v on the strip or maybe with the strip off touch each one with a wire from the battery and watch for a spark, even better if you used a DC clamp meter to read the amps, so which method did you use?, Rick
 
Thank you for the reply. Ohm meter on plugs
and a test light just on the solenoid
Glyn
 
OK so you need to put test light on the plug bus bar as there are several connectors tween relay and bus bar, and what Ohm readings did you get on the plugs, Rick
 
The ZD30 is a direct injection diesel, so I very much doubt the GP's will be the problem. I ran mine for two years will all four plugs not working, it was only when the temperature dropped to minus double digits one winter did I notice a reluctance to start.
I don't have any significant suggestions other than to thoroughly check the fuel system from tank to to IP before digging any deeper.
Might also pay to check all off the principal earth/ground connections too.
 
Good year to you Ray, just my thoughts in an inebriated state, direct/indirect makes little difference, it is the compression ratio that decides if glow plugs are needed and as both engines are reasonably turbo charged the resultant lower compression ratio demands glow plugs, a naturally aspirated engine with a compression ratio of around 22/1 does not need glow plugs, Rick
 
OK so you need to put test light on the plug bus bar as there are several connectors tween relay and bus bar, and what Ohm readings did you get on the plugs, Rick
Good new year sir!

Thank you for that, although the shops locked until Monday, so I'll try then to check. I was with another customer when the plugs were checked and all I heard was,'they're knackered!' Quite why all four were like it, I'm a bit puzzzled about.

Again thanks. Glyn
 
Just had my mate on the 'phone and plugs were open circuit and he tested them later on a battery with same result! Glyn.
 

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