Starting Problems

[Bobski]

I have a 2.3 Auto Zetec and sometimes for no reason the car decides not to start,and the starter motor doesn't even kick in either!!

All the normal dash lights come on etc, but nothing.

The only thing that I have noticed is that every time this happens I cant hear the petrol pump working.

I can keep on turning the key but nothing. Then after about 1-2 min the petrol pump starts and the car starts.

Could this be some sort of relay thats up the spout or could it be alarm related?

 

Well it's over to you guys......HELP !

 

Thanx

[Guest neil_wiles]

It sounds possibly like the P/N switch or brake light switch faulty.

 

Try moving the selector by pressing the button into R and back to P then try starting.

 

You can also check that your brake lights are working.

[Steven.Langdale]

I had a simmilar problem with mine, there is a switch in the base of the gear/drive selector that will inhibit engine start if you have the selector button pressed in. It could be that. Basically what Neil said.

 

I don't think the brake light switch is involved here, that being faulty will stop you moving the selector, not stop you starting. As Neil said, give the selector a move around and see what happens. Have you got a Hanes manual? it describes adjusting it in there (in the manual it's called the "starter inhibitor switch).

 

Steven

[Bobski]

It sounds possibly like the P/N switch or brake light switch faulty.

 

Try moving the selector by pressing the button into R and back to P then try starting.

 

You can also check that your brake lights are working.

Thank you guys for your replay's I shall try the selector button next time it happens.(at the moment it seems to be ok...sods law)

The other thing you said about the break lights, I don't seem to understand how this would effect the starting? But I'm sure someone will tell me soon ;-)

 

Thanx

[Steven.Langdale]

Bobski

 

If your going to leave it and see what happens, take an allenkey & screwdriver with you. Just incase you get stuck somewhere!

 

As I said before, I don't think the break lights would affect starting. But a broken brake light switch WILL stop you moving the selector. With the engine running, press the brakes, you will hear a click from the bottom of the selector. this is a solenoid releasing it. it will click back on a couple of seconds after you take your foot of the brake. It's to stop you doing silly things like engage drive with no brakes and therfore leap into you garage door ;)

 

Steven

[Bobski]

I think your right guys, it's the P/N switch :blink:

I do have the Ford Galaxy TIS cd...do any of you know where I would find this switch on the cd?(i only got TIS last week so don't know how to use it at the moment.)

Thanks :unsure:

[Guest Hawkeye24]

This has been a continual infrequent problem with our 2.3 Galaxy: all the right lights come on, but nothing happens and then after a minute or so it starts as though nothing was wrong. The only thing that I have noticed recently is that the small red door light on the drivers door flashes when the ignition key is turned and it is only when it is going to start that the light turns on and doesn't flash. I have mentioned this to Ford several times and they can't trace the problem, and unless it happens when the dealer has the car (which we all know it won't!) there is little that they can do about it.

Not helpful I suppose, but at least we are not alone.

[Bobski]

This has been a continual infrequent problem with our 2.3 Galaxy: all the right lights come on, but nothing happens and then after a minute or so it starts as though nothing was wrong. The only thing that I have noticed recently is that the small red door light on the drivers door flashes when the ignition key is turned and it is only when it is going to start that the light turns on and doesn't flash. I have mentioned this to Ford several times and they can't trace the problem, and unless it happens when the dealer has the car (which we all know it won't!) there is little that they can do about it.

Not helpful I suppose, but at least we are not alone.

As you can see I have a 2.3 zetec auto so this non starter issue must be to do with something else being that you have a manual.

Im still having problems with the starting and have tryed the auto gear salecter button route and this does seem to cure it sometimes.

BUT I have noticed aswell that the red door alarm light flashes faster when the car starts to play up!

May be this issue has got something to do with the ALARM system ??

 

Just a thought B)

[Guest vr6galaxy]

The PAT's system has priority over the alarm, so if it's flashing while this problem is occurring it could be an immobiliser problem? the chip in the key could be failing? you have to many keys on the key ring and these are blocking the signal? you are parked near a radio transmitor and that is blocking the signal?

the PAT's system is self diagnostic and the LED will flash out a code to show what the fault is! only problem is no one seems to knows what the flashes mean B)

[Guest kevd]

Hmm, I've just started having similar problems on my 2.3 Manual Galaxy (2003). All lights on the dash come on as normal but it won't start, keep trying a few times and its okay. Over the last two days it's got much worse; it starts, goes a few hundred yards and then cuts out - it can then be an hour or two before it will start again and is okay for the rest of the day.

 

The dealer can't seem to find anything. Seems like it must be related to the immobiliser to me. Anyone found any more?

[Bobski]

UPDATE

 

 

Well a couple of weeks ago I was reversing out my drive when I noticed that both left and right break light bulbs had blown.

After putting two new bulbs in I have noticed that the starting problems have gone!!

Now I

[Masked Marauder]

Is there anything to this theory,I know it sounds silly, but i think there could be something in it.

 

Regards Bob

It is not safe to drive with no brake lights. This is clearly an undocumented safety feature! :D :D

[Bobski]

It is not safe to drive with no brake lights. This is clearly an undocumented safety feature! :D  :D

:D

[Guest neil_wiles]

You all may laugh at the "undocumented safety feature" but this is actually the case with the latest Nissan models, the Primera and Almera both have power limitations applied through the ECU if the brake lights fail.

 

Again it isnt documented but the Japanese designers are aware of the diagnostic route and have created the iterpretation which will limit the maximum speed available if no Brake lights can be displayed.

 

OOOoooooyeeeeerrr

 

Big Brother is most def watching if not dictating.

[Andrew T]

Although the Link between the brakelights and the ECU is well documented regarding the Diesel, I've never heard it mentioned on the Petrol - does it really cause a problem ?

[Bobski]

Although the Link between the brake lights and the ECU is well documented regarding the Diesel, I've never heard it mentioned on the Petrol - does it really cause a problem ?

As you can see,the word problem is an understatement for me :D

This has been a right pain in the butt for me for nearly six month's, only to be rectified by the installation of a couple of break light bulbs (the break light strip at the top of the rear door was not affected).

 

If it wasn't for my reluctance to take my car to Fords and let them sort it out for

[Guest jeffie37]

Hmm, I've just started having similar problems on my 2.3 Manual Galaxy (2003). All lights on the dash come on as normal but it won't start, keep trying a few times and its okay. Over the last two days it's got much worse; it starts, goes a few hundred yards and then cuts out - it can then be an hour or two before it will start again and is okay for the rest of the day.

 

The dealer can't seem to find anything. Seems like it must be related to the immobiliser to me. Anyone found any more?

Im experiencing similar problems with my 1.9TD lx 2000 Wreg manual .

i try to start..it turns over but will not start. I had jump starts at first and it appears to solve problem..but then we thought it was the starter motor..changed it..problem continues.

It will start work fine , try to restart later and it doesnt want to start....?? leave it for ten minutes then its ok.

My garage says its electrical and he has seen it before..he said eventually i will drive and it will cut out..as the problem progresses...im not convinced..I changed all power fuses and then car was great..but even today had problem starting after filling up at petrol station.

I think it could be a fuel sensor or relay-glowplug related. I notice the glowplug sign doesnt come one when this is happening.. if anyone has solved this i would like to know ...???????

 

jeffdaguilar@yahoo.com

[NikpV]

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