It seems my problem here has morphed into another one. The good news is that it wasn't the sound of the water pump failing. The not so good news is that it's the starter getting stuck on the flywheel. That explains the sound continuing briefly after engine shut off. It doesn't happen every...

Grand. What should normal temp be?

Fingers firmly crossed: I think changing the relay has helped, if not sorted it! It's starting! However, I'm still getting a problem with the temp gauge. Earth issue? In less than 10 minutes, the gauge is climbing well towards the red. I'm killing the engine before it gets there. I'm...

Just to give you an update, I changed the drive belts for new ones yesterday and started up. No noise! Fingers crossed, I'll check again today for any noises. However, after running for less than 10 minutes, the termperature gauge was climbing pretty quickly towards the red! The engine...

Yes, it's a good time to do it. I had wanted to do cambelt myself but new to this vehicle so don't want to stuff anything up on such a mission critical job. I've also developed a recent phobia of shearing bolts and I gather there's potential for this with changing the water pump. I'm sure...

I checked all the pulleys yesterday again. Slight distortion in the water pump pulley (that could be the pulley itself), it seems to turn smoothly. Slight bearing friction on power steering. No sideways play on either. Also ran the engine again for 30 seconds with no belts. No sound.

Hi. What's the knack for running the water pump / PAS pump one belt at a time?

Thanks for the part recommendation. Looks good. I'll check the pulleys again this morning. Quick guilt thought: 3-4 weeks ago I noticed the coolant was low in the reservoir and topped up with a small amount of straight water! Since then I've read that I should have topped up with 50/50...

OK. I ran it for 30 seconds without the belts. No noise! Would a failing impeller make a loud noise? I'll try again tomorrow (I assume it's OK to run it from cold for 30 seconds each time?). If it is the water pump and the impeller is coming loose, how driveable is it? Is this the sort...

No, I checked with the belts loose. Should have taken the belts off shouldn't I :D. I'll check again with the belts off.

I checked the pulleys and they are OK. I tightened the belts. This helped the initial (see below) squeaking. (the belts actually need replacing soon). But the concerning thing is this sudden sound that comes about 20 seconds after start up. It's like a someone throwing a load of nails...

Hi. Thanks for that. I'll see what the auto shop has. I'll keep an eye on the ignition switch but it's consistently giving me a reading.

Thanks for this. I tested the relay on the bench, as you suggested. Seemed to work well (ie, activated the higher amp circuit), but not in the vehicle. Swapped another relay in and it worked. Either the original relay is unreliable or there's some sort of loose connection in the panel...

Hi. Latest on my woes! The white cable at the relay IS getting a regular supply of 10.3v every time I turn the ignition to crank. I think my early test must have been a mistake. Testing at the back of the ignition switch also gets 10.30v. Why 10.3v and not 12+v? Does the voltage drop...

Hi. Yes, sorry. It's a 200tdi - forgot to mention!

Hi On startup, there is a lot of squeaking coming from the belt area. I can't tell if it's belts slipping. Is there a way of testing this. I'm also worried that it could be a timing belt about to fail? On startup the last couple of times, there has been a fairly dramatic noise that sounds...

Ah, could be. I don't actually know where that is, and I don't yet know what the other relays under the fuses are..... Need to find that out..... Wiring diagram (which I THINK is right for my year) also says brake check relay???

Thanks for this. Totally clarifies what should be happening. Mine's slightly different in that the Brown/Red is white in my case. I think my relay has 5 terminals but the one in the middle doesn't seem to have a connecting cable.

Jumper's a good idea. I'll definitely make one up and keep it in the toolkit for emergencies. Yes, agree about the relay. Seems over the top.

Few questions.. Have you/could you disturbed the rear of the ignition barrel? >> Very possibly. I need to check that out. Unfortunately it means dismantling everything I've put back. :( But hey-ho... Starter relay. Just swap this for a relay close to it to check it works. Think they...