Ignition problem

[Bryan Terry]

I had a new battery fitted by the AA as car would not start leaving for work. Drove to work returned home after. Next day, would not start again. Called out AA again. Checked battery, immobiliser, solenoid and starter. Found power going to the ignition, but no poeer from ignition to solenoid. My mechanic checked it over. But was not to familiar with the wiring. So, he installed a wire from ignition to the solenoid. The engine started. Began driving back and forth to work and home for a week or so.
Then another problem. The engine cranks but does not fire. Disconnected the battery overnight or 15 minutes. Reconnect the battery. The engine cranks and fires, have been doing this for for a couple of weeks until I had delivery of plugs, coils and leads. Which, I fitted today. Reconnected battery, Engine cranked and fired. Thinking that I had solved the problem. Turned off engine and walked away. Until I returned to my car. The same problem still occurs. I disconnected the battery for 20 minutes. Reconnected the battery. The engine started. I am flumaxed.
Could anybody shed any light on this problem at all?

[suzublu]

Sounds like fuel filter separation, especially on the 1.8. You'll need to lift the rear seat, remove access panel over the fuel tank to reveal the filter. This may have separated. Needs twisting back together.

[Bryan Terry]

I looked at the the other day. It looked and felt intact?

[Yorkshire GOC]

It will look OK - but inside the filter may have separated - firstly do you have a fuel filter clip fixed to the filter housing - if not get that done a- £7 quid fix - the filter inside the housing is prone to separation and causes non starts. Known as Fuel Filter Separation Syndrome (FFS) - and the later 1.8's are prone to this. See link below -all petrol owners should fit this - was called the fabled orange clip aka the "FOC" but now they are white or black in colour as per link below. See link below to purchase one.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133943661...UAAOSwTmVfT3cE

[Bryan Terry]

Thank You. I will have a proper look.
Yours Kindly.
Bryan Terry

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Bryan Terry

Called out AA again. Checked battery, immobiliser, solenoid and starter. Found power going to the ignition, but no power from ignition to solenoid. My mechanic ... installed a wire from ignition to the solenoid.

Hi Bryan,

The starter solenoid is energised by the immobiliser ECU so there's a problem here. Your mechanic by-passing this with a direct feed is not the right approach. You need to find out why the immobiliser is preventing starter operation. The usual forum advice is to check for water ingress from the sunroof drain tube above (if you have a sunroof). You'll find help with this if you search.

Simon

[Bryan Terry]

Thank You, this sounds more like the problem. I will call my local Auto electrician.
Also about to check the filter as well.

[Bryan Terry]

Originally Posted by Bryan Terry

Thank You, this sounds more like the problem. I will call my local Auto electrician.
Also about to check the filter as well.

I had taken the original radio out and replaced it with a chinese android system. the auto electrician told me that he had tested everything and the android system is the fault.
so, I have put back the original system. And I still have the same problem of engine not starting. Unless I disconnect the battery for 20 mins or longer. reconnect, and it fires first turn of the ignition.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Bryan Terry

... the auto electrician told me that ... the android system is the fault.

Maybe he thinks it's the K-bus. Try disconnecting all the plugs from the radio, does the starter motor operate then?

Simon

[Bryan Terry]

Thanks, I will try that next.