td4 intermittent non starter

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Bagshot

Well-Known Member
Posts
866
Location
Cornwall
Hi,
2001 td4 , I have looked through the threads so far back but can't find a mention of this.. Mrs Bagshots td4 has an intermittent nonstarter issue. Every now and then the key turns, all lights work.. but ..nothing. leave it 5 -10 mins and it turns over and fires like new. Changed the battery, new contacts in the starter, all leads and earth's good. Now stumped..
Answers on a postcard..?
 
Are there any clicks when you turn the key to 'crank'?

On the dash there is a small led. When you lock/alarm the car it flashes, when you unlock the car it turns off. When you turn the key to crank, does it come back on and stay lit solidly? This is the immobiliser warning.
 
Clicking from the engine bay and non cranking is the starter contacts.
No clicking and no cranking is probably the ignition switch.
 
Clicking from the engine bay and non cranking is the starter contacts.
No clicking and no cranking is probably the ignition switch.
Hi, apologies for not coming back sooner. There has been occasions where the ignition key would stick and not turn but then free off. Could be related..?
 
There has been occasions where the ignition key would stick and not turn but then free off.

That's the key or lock wearing. Mine does the same thing on occasion. I have lubricated mine with kerosene which helps.

You need to note the symptoms above and come back with the information. ;)
 
Again apologies.. the thing I meant was the barrel and/ or the ignition switch.

They're 2 separate components. The lock is a mechanical device which will pull the steering lock pawl from the column when it rotates. It also turns an electric multiple contact switch which is fitted to the rear of the lock. Both items can be removed and stripped down if necessary. However unless you're really good at puzzles, I'd avoid pulling the switch apart and simply replace it instead.

The lock can be stripped, cleaned, lubricated and reassembled if you're good with mechanical devices.
A word of warning though. If you pull the lock barrel out the housing, leaving the key in it. If you pull the key out, the lock plates fly out and you'll get in a right old pickle. ;)
 
They're 2 separate components. The lock is a mechanical device which will pull the steering lock pawl from the column when it rotates. It also turns an electric multiple contact switch which is fitted to the rear of the lock. Both items can be removed and stripped down if necessary. However unless you're really good at puzzles, I'd avoid pulling the switch apart and simply replace it instead.

The lock can be stripped, cleaned, lubricated and reassembled if you're good with mechanical devices.
A word of warning though. If you pull the lock barrel out the housing, leaving the key in it. If you pull the key out, the lock plates fly out and you'll get in a right old pickle. ;)
Mmmm..I feel a challenge coming on..:rolleyes:
 
I don't know if this is any help but on my sons 1.8 there is a small wire on the top of the starter when that broke and he turned the key all the dash lights would come on but that was it no clicks nothing. I do not know if the td4 is the same set up but it might be worth checking
 
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Try the simple stuff first - in my case a mysterious failure to crank came down to a slack/corroded connector to the solenoid - that little wire on top of the stater - I only found it by getting the Missus to keep switching off on crank and me jiggling around under the bonnet - when I yanked that suddenly I got a cranking - Phew!!!!!
 
That sounds more like what I have here. I I'll check mine in the morning. It did look a bit ropey when I put the starter back on after changing the contacts.
 
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