Renault Laguna (1994 - 2001) - 98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed.

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Fri 15 Aug 2008 22:12
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
I have a Renault Laguna 1.9dti which will not start on the key but will go when tow started.
The engine turns over as normal but wont fire on the key. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem could be. Any help greatfully appreciated.

Regards Chris.

slt

Edited by Pugugly on 15/08/2008 at 22:17

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Fri 15 Aug 2008 22:22
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Screwloose

Low fuel pressure in the rail?

To do anything with these you'll need a lot of test equipment and a good scanner as live-data is everything.
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Fri 15 Aug 2008 22:26
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
I have checked that there is fuel at the injectors and there is plenty there.
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Fri 15 Aug 2008 22:46
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - AndyT
Sticking piston rings, causing low compression? Is it starting ok when warm?
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Fri 15 Aug 2008 23:13
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
The car will not start at all unless it is towed. Its almost like the immobiliser is on but if that was so it would not start on a tow either.
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Fri 15 Aug 2008 23:36
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - David G.I.Davies
You'll probably need to replace the starter motor,this is a common fault on the Renault Dti.The worn starter interferes with the flywheel sensor signal.
David Davies
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Sat 16 Aug 2008 10:54
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
Nothing wrong with the starter motor it turns over very well it jut does not fire.
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Sat 16 Aug 2008 11:17
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Peter D
Time to check all the earths. This could be electrical noise stutting th system down or drowning a sensor signal. When it does start is it completely normal straight away or has it been over fuelled. Regards Peter
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Sat 16 Aug 2008 14:04
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
When its tow started its completely normal. Then when switched off it wont start again on the key.

Just taken the car to a reno specialist garage. Fingers crossed i guess.
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Thu 18 Sep 2008 00:52
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - vulcan bomber
Is worth checking the feed from battery to fuse board. Has a large fuse link. Poss has hairline crack.causing a high load imp. to the starter circuit. As quick test try puttting 4 awg cable to alternator B+ term and + of battery, that will by pass link.
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Sat 16 Aug 2008 15:16
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - AndyT
You'll probably need to replace the starter motor this is a common fault on the
Renault Dti.
David Davies

I have heard similar about the DTI starter. Iirc, it starts taking too much current, thus denying proper voltage to other items??
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Sat 16 Aug 2008 15:30
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Screwloose

The generate excessive electrical interference in the crank sensor cabling which prevents the ECU identifying TDC.

However; we're told that "there is nothing wrong with the starter;" so that's that then....
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Sat 16 Aug 2008 15:47
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Peter D
As it starts cleanly when bumped then it is interference in the sensor system, an earth problem or low system voltage when cranking. Do you try a battery jump start. ? Regards Peter
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Sat 23 Aug 2008 14:10
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
It seems there is a lack of volts at the crank sensor. When testing the ecu the volts go in but do not come back out. So it looks like i need to buy another ecu at 500 quid.
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Sat 23 Aug 2008 14:49
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - mfarrow
i need to buy another ecu at 500 quid.


So the ECU's fried yet the car starts and runs fine ???
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Sat 23 Aug 2008 21:16
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Railroad.
Measure the resistance of the crankshaft sensor, it should be between 150 & 1500 Ohms. If it's outside of these figures then replace it. If it's not then measure the voltage from it when cranking. It should be 0.5ACV and rising......
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Sat 23 Aug 2008 22:10
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Peter D
I think you mean between 1200 and 1500 ohms. 150 ohms is far too low. Regards Peter
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Sun 24 Aug 2008 00:10
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - AndyT
Autodata suggest 480-1150 ohms between pins 1+2, at 20 degrees C.
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Sun 24 Aug 2008 10:02
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Railroad.
Anywhere between 150 - 1500 Ohms is typical for all inductive crankshaft sensors. If the manufacturer gives a specific value range then I'd go with it.

Some vehicles are as low as 150 ohms, and some are as high as 1500 ohms, but anywhere outside should be considered incorrect......
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Sat 22 Nov 2008 08:18
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Bangerfan
You were absolutely right David. The starter was creating a magnetic field and stopping the fly wheel sensor from collecting the information from the crank sensor. Hence not firing on the key.

Many thanks to all replies.
Regards Chris.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 22/11/2008 at 13:32

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Fri 9 Jan 2009 19:01
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - laguna
Hi David,

I have been reading your article on the 1.9 dti which only starts on tow. You suguested that the starter motor was to blame.

May i present the folloing problem which is very similar, which has upto now baffled most mechanics.

I also have a Laguna 1.9dti 2000 W. The symtons are as follows:

Engine will crank but not fire.
Rpm. counter needle moves between 4000 and 5000rpm. during cranking

The only way to ignite is to use a small squirt of 'easy start' in the air intake and go to the key and then crank engine with a slight depress of the acclerator. Starts no problem.

When the car has been standing for a while say 2 hrs. plus,and every morning, i have to carry out the same process again.

The car runs fine otherwise.

Changed and tested glow plugs
Renew disel filter
Checked/tested TDC sensor
Changed map flow sensor
checked fuel pump and renew seals in fuel tank
checked injectors.

No fault codes are showing using a 'Snap on' code reader

AA man had 2 codes showing 0100 -map flow sensor and 0200, but 0200 is not applicable to this type of diesel engine.

Could it be that it is the starter motor?

Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Laguna





the reply you got from david about the starter motor
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Fri 9 Jan 2009 22:26
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - Peter D
Have you tried a tow start. This problem crops up far too often and Renault should resolve the issue. Using easy start works because it does not rely on the injector timing of the crank sensor, the engine fires on the easy start and you release the key and suddenly the injectors kick in. Regards Peter
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Sat 10 Jan 2009 11:36
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - laguna
Have you tried a tow start. This problem crops up far too often and Renault
should resolve the issue. >>


hi,

if it tow starts does it mean that the starter is at fault?

As for renault is this a call back fault?

Regards

Laguna
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Fri 24 Jul 2009 20:52
98 1.9dti Won't start unless towed. - donkers
Have had exact same intermittent problem, have just found simple cure.
Need to clean contacts on crank sensor. This can be found by removing air filter , then look under hoses on side of engine you will find a little connector, just free it off get it contacting well, put a bit of freeing oil on it. Engine will then turn over and fire straight away. If problem recurs you can get a pattern parrt which is improved and will cure problem permanently.
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Tue 8 Sep 2009 21:42
98 1.9DTI Won't start unless towed. - Azi
Hi Guys, I have got a Renault Laguna 2000 W Reg 1.9 DTI. I have only had the car for 2/3 weeks now but i been having the same problem that is mentioned in this forum. When i try to start the car in the morning.

Engine will crank but not fire.
Rpm. counter needle moves between 4000 and 5000rpm.

Takes couple of minutes for me to get the car started. I havent towed the car and tried starting it.

I take it the problem is with the started motor, i auctually thought there was a problem with the Immobiliser as the person who i bought the car from said its got a CAT 2 Alarm? Can you please advise what i should do? Its just annoying when the car drives fine but not starting?

Azi
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Tue 23 Mar 2010 18:56
98 1.9dti won't start unless towed. - FRENCH CHRIS

had same problem-won't start even hot,but starts easily with bump start; a Renault mechanic told me of the starter "flux" but as the starter was only 6 months old,i was doubtful.as an experiment ,i isolated the engine management system from the main battery,using a 12 volt bike battery for the ecU-she fired up first time!i'm now testing a "smoothing system" using a coil of thick wire & a very large value capacitor to feed the ecU-first results look promising'whilst i try to convince the starter supplier to exchange under guarantee!! what fun!

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