Vito 115cdi wont start

[ALVito]

Hi everyone,
My 2004 vito 115cdi has been sat under a tree for about 2 1/2 years. Gathering leaves and bird poop.

Trying to get it running again. It was fine before being left but oddly enough it wont start now. (funny that!)
Battery has been replaced with a brand new Varta silver 74ah. Full charged.
When starting, key goes in, SRS light comes on. Turn key and all dash warning lights come on for a second or two, then engine light remains on.
continue to turn key, no glow plug light and engine turns nicely. But doesn't catch.
Ive put a can of new diesel in and its showing 1/4 tank.

So where do I start?
Any tips greatly appreciated.

 

[Timster]

are you with the AA?

 

[ALVito]

Yes, just breakdown cover. not sure this is in there remit.???
cheers but tbh Im looking for more of a diy-tech answer like check x,y,z that may be vito specific. A standard checklist or linear progression kind of thing.
Would the lack of glowplug dash light be related? Dead plugs? dead relay etc?

 

[Timster]

was just thinking if you had homestart they might send someone out to get it going? They try to fix on site if possible.

Always worth a try!

 

[Timster]

if it was me id maybe try a bump start, get the engine moving fast, and compression up - probably fire then.

 

[ALVito]

That was my first thought but its on a hill and wont roll, no chance of shifting it from the current position. So it has to start under its own steam.

 

[Timster]

Can't you pull it with another vehicle? Often a good idea to roll backwards first as that releases stuck brakes nicely.

Also - Just keep cranking as long as the battery will let you

(nb - I'm just saying what I would do - I live in a remote place and have to make things up as I go - I'm sure there are more technical ways out there!!)

 

[camerafodder]

When you are cranking it is there any sign of fuel vapour from the exhaust?

 

[ALVito]

When you are cranking it is there any sign of fuel vapour from the exhaust?

No nothing. Hand over the end I can't feel it blowing and nose stuck in the exhaust there is no smell of diesel. Its just fresh air coming through.

Edit: Forgot to say, its only got 28k on the clock.

 

[camerafodder]

Sounds like a fuel issue then. I'd be looking at fuses first for things like fuel solenoid/pump and then work through from there. Possibly blocked filter too if it has been left for a long time.

 

[ALVito]

Sounds like a fuel issue then. I'd be looking at fuses first for things like fuel solenoid/pump and then work through from there. Possibly blocked filter too if it has been left for a long time.

makes sense to me. Off to follow the fuel system I go.

 

[ALVito]

OK an update.
Couldn't find a layout of the fuses so checked all of them in the main box under the bonnet. All OK tested with a multimeter for continuity.

Changed the fuel filter. Old one was in good nick, no sediment in the bottom, the filter paper looked white. The diesel that was in it was lager/honey colour with a tiny bit of clear water in the bottom.
Filled new filter with fresh diesel.
Thin hose to block? (disappears under airbox) was full of diesel. Thicker hose that comes up the engine bay bulkhead had some diesel in it.

Still the same, turning over but not starting (no coughs or splutters just constant turn over). Still no fumes coming through the exhaust just fresh air.

Does anyone know which relay is for the fuel pump/solenoid?

 

[camerafodder]

Sorry i can't help you further AL as I have no experience of Vito's but it sounds like you're on the right trail. The fact that the glow light isn't appearing and no fuel vapour suggests it may be a combination electrical issue that is preventing fuel from getting to the cylinders. I'm sure others will be along soon that are wiser than me.

 

[Danny DeVito]

CDI will not give fuel vapour etc from exhaust because it does not allow fuel enter the cylinders until proper start conditions are present. Engine light ON means a fault is present. Without a reader of course it could be anything. However once fuel rail pressure is achieved it should start i think. When all dash lights come on does that include the glowplug lamp ? Cranking can take a few minutes, especially since you opened the fuel system to replace the filter. I dont know really about the newer engines but i guess the same rules apply to the cdi. A cheap code reader should tell all

 

[ALVito]

CDI will not give fuel vapour etc from exhaust because it does not allow fuel enter the cylinders until proper start conditions are present. Engine light ON means a fault is present. Without a reader of course it could be anything. However once fuel rail pressure is achieved it should start i think. When all dash lights come on does that include the glowplug lamp ? Cranking can take a few minutes, especially since you opened the fuel system to replace the filter. I dont know really about the newer engines but i guess the same rules apply to the cdi. A cheap code reader should tell all

Yes glowplug light comes on with all the others then goes out with them. Leaving only engine light + battery light if its been cranking for while.
I still havn't checked the relays as I can't find a pinout for them or know what the normal resistance should be. Tommorow ill be pulling them all and comparing them to each other. If one is dead it should stand out.

 

[camerafodder]

Ahh I misread the first post I thought the glow plugs were not energised at all. Sorry. Faulty crank position sensor will cause a zero fueling issue too but I don't know if this brings on the engine light. As Danny suggests, once you've exhausted the easy investigations, best get the codes read before you start spending any money.

 

[ALVito]

ill add crank sensor to the list.
Checked the relays this morning, turned out to be very easy to do with a multimeter and a small 12v battery. All were fine looking like a simple fix is getting further away.
Still havn't managed to find a fuse/relay schematic so no clue if one of the relays I checked was for the fuel pump or not? Or if there is a big dedicated relay floating around somewhere as per the Rad fan relay.

Think I will have to invest in some kind of code reader thingamajig.

 

[Tinkerer]

When I changed all the plastic fuel lines I my car I thought the battery was going to go flat before it would start, and yes I refilled the fuel filter as well, it took ages!