Starting Problems On Manual

[Guest kevd]

Hi folks,

 

I've been having trouble with my 2003 2.3 Zetec Manual starting from time to time. I've seen a number of other posts on this subject but they all seem to be related to the auto model, not the manual.

 

So here is my problem:

 

Quite often when you try to start the car it won't on first try, all the lights come on the dash but the engine doesn't even turn over, no sign of it even trying. Repeat a few times and it starts.

 

Last month it got worse, it cut out on me after a few hundred yards and again won't restart. AA man came and tested the battery, checked all the wiring but could find no fault (if he applied power directly to the starter it turned - that suggests the engine management is stopping things yes?). He towed me to a dealer but once we got there it started! The dealer could find on fault.

 

Anyway the darn thing did exactly the same thing yesterday, left the car on the side of the road for an hour and then tried again - it started!

 

I've tried both keys when it won't work and both fail to get the car started so it can't be the key. I have noticed that when the car IS going to start the little LED on the drivers door lights steady for a few seconds, when it ISN'T going to start I get nothing - no flash - nothing.

 

This morning the car started, I got halfway out the drive and it stopped again - this time the LED was flashing fast for around a minute (first time this has happened). Tried again and it ran perfectly.

 

Very strange and very worrying since it can cut out while driving down the road! I've got it booked in to the dealer again but they can't look until 3rd Jan - I'm not hopeful and my wife is due to give birth very soon!

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

 

Kevin

[Guest kevd]

Hello again, just thought I'd update on the story so far.

 

The car went back into the main dealer (Dixons in Sheffield) and they ran several diagnostics. They had the car 2 days and decided that the VSTM checks showed a faulty relay. They replaced it and so far (touch wood!) no problems with it cutting out although from time to time it still doesn't start first time (the LED shows the key rejected but always okay on 2nd try).

 

I'm guessing this is basically the relay problem I've seen a few posts about - although they all say relay 30 and my car doesn't have a relay 30 fitted (but the faulty unit was rated 30 amp so maybe I've just misunderstood the other posts :unsure:

 

Anyway the dealer described it as a "power hold relay".

 

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