Fiat Ducato Autotrail
Hello, we have a 2013 automatic Autotrail and have now experienced the following twice.
Pull into a service station, stop for a break, 30 mins approx. then go to start. The ignition lights up, glow-plug warning illuminates and disappears quick (good, I think) but the starter does not turn (just a feint whirr in the background). Can retry several times with the same outcome. leave it 10 mins and it starts no problem. Oil Temp midway, levels all ok.
Starts all other times no problem. Have had the vehicle for 3 years+ now and never had this before.
This has happened within 2 weeks while touring France (I mention it because it has been very hot and may be a factor).
Anyone else experienced this or have any idea what may be going on ?
Comments
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My first thought would be the starter motor itself or failing that it could be iffy wiring or connections to the starter .... my 24v Senator used to do similar and that was a known fault in that the loom was only just about up to spec even when new ....
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Thanks for the quick replies. Can easily check earths here but starter may be crossed fingers until I get home. Have cover if the inevitable happens so we’ll see.
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you could post your query on Outandaboutlive (the MMM forum) and they have a resident Fiat expert called Nick Fisher who posts as Euroserve (I think that's his commercial transport business).
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Sometimes you get a delay while the Auto mechanism puts the vehicle in neutral before it tries to start the engine. You can follow whats happening on the small screen as it shows the gears being changed. If there is a fault then it should be logged in the software and be easy to find.
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Done it again. After filling up failed to start. Pushed into space and tried for 30 mins before calling breakdown cover. As I was talking through the call and fault I was asked to check mileage, turned ignition on and carried on to see if it would start and start it did !!!! Does seem to be heat related however when I stopped at destination 2 hours later it restarted no problem.
breakdown company now have details on record should I call back but it will be a difficult one to reproduce if it starts when they arrive !
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I had a Vauxhall Carlton that did the same!!! It was fine when it was running but if you stopped after a long run, especially towing, it would not start. I remember arriving, at I think, Clumber Park when site use to close for lunch. A chap saw me struggling and offered to help. He produced a large screwdriver from his boot and obviously created a connection with the screwdriver and it started. Didn't stop me needing a new starter motor!
David
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An update !
Failed to start at home prior to parking it up after weekend away.
Called breakdown for a home start. Checked key-fob followed by battery check & then by-passed ignition & immobiliser to start it. They identified start relay as likely problem. switch-off and restarted several times without problem.
All earths good.
Garage replicated the fault by removing starter relay. Now replaced and has so far started. Fingers crossed.
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Those multi connectors often used on battery terminals in van conversions can be troublesome. Some of them seem like they’re made out of cheese and do fail, usually on an intermittent basis.
I’ve also had a faulty immobiliser on a Ducato which was intermittent - expensive job to fix.
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It was bypassed
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Yes, agreed. Also, immobiliser fault will stop engine start, but not always prevent the starter cranking. In all cases no start will be achieved by removing the starter relay. When my immobiliser failed, the only option was to trailer it away and then, following repair, onward to a Fiat dealer for a new code to be programmed.
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If it was, then any Johnny Towrag could do the same. Immobilisers, these days, are generally integral within a black box of electrickery, that as Seaside Bill says, has to be programmed in by a dealer or independent with a vehicle specific diagnostic kit.
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how it was done I do not know or want to understand as I agree an immobiliser is there to protect. However, the report was clear in that the technician states he bypassed the immobiliser.
My main reason for providing feedback on this thread was to highlight that the starting problem seems to do with a £22 starting relay and my intermittent problem has been resolved.
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