Starting problem -diesel not being pumped to injectors

1999 Renault Laguna 1.9 dTI
Car: Renault Laguna
Year: 1999
Variant: 1.9 dTI
Categories: Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
Has anybody had the same problem. The car has recently developed a problem - erratic starting. You could turn the motor over 12 time before it starts, now more. This has happened in the last 4 days.

I have checked the stop soleniod and it works fine, even with the plunger taken out (whereby you would not be able to stop the engine with out pinching the fuel line or stalling it). There is no diesel geting to the injectors. Occasionally, it will start if you hold the throttle down half way. It is tiring the started motor, thank goodness theres a new 75amp battery.

When it starts it runs absolutley fine and drives fine. There is no swarf on the stop solenoid plunger which I think indicated that the pump is not chewing itself up.

Has naybody had the same experience. I feel it's something electrical/electronic to do with the starting sequence in the pump.

Many thanks.
Problem added: Apr 4, 2008 (16 years ago)
sounds like a leek in the system ie leaving the car over night and the diesel is draining back to the tank and takes a few turns of the engine to get the diesel back to the engine for it to start have this checked out by a diesel specialist as its dangerous to try it your self with it being a diesel and high pressure
Answered Apr 4, 2008 (16 years ago)
either air is entering the system so it is having to bleed itself on cranking before it will start or the injector pump is starting to become a little worn
Answered Apr 6, 2008 (16 years ago)
I've just experienced the exact same problem!! It's been a bit ropey starting for the last week or so. Yesterday it wouldn't start at all.

It fired on easy start but then we checked if any fuel was coming out of the HP fuel pump and there was nothing. We're getting pleanty of fuel up to the pump but nothing coming out to the injectors.

There's an buzzing noise coming from the HP fuel pump with ignition on and upon cranking the rev counter is bouncing around the 6000rpm mark (Not noticed it do this before the problem has occurred)

How did you get on with your Laguna - sounds very similar and would be very interested to find out how you sorted yours....

Thanks!

D
Answered Apr 11, 2008 (16 years ago)
did you solve the problem as i have the same simptoms

regards
Answered May 28, 2008 (15 years ago)
I have just experienced the same problem and RAC couldn't answer as to what they thought was the cause. Renault technical couldn't help either. The car is going back to the garage tomorrow as a number of mechanics have failed to identify the cause. Anyone got any ideas?
Answered Jun 22, 2008 (15 years ago)
I know the Glow Plugs can be a mare on the DCI engines...
Answered Aug 6, 2009 (14 years ago)
I have the same problem. Car started 1st time and runs perfectly. Then it took a few times to start and I kept having to pump the accelerator to start it. Now it won't start at all.

Glowplugs have been changed, and I noticed that the connector to the fuel pressure regulator was not in.

Now the garage has a list of many things, but doesn't know what the problem is.

Anyone with any ideas please?

Michael
Answered Mar 24, 2010 (14 years ago)
I have had the very same problem happen to me today. Occasionally I the car would not start on the first attempt, it might take 2 or 3 attempts to get it going but this was very random. Toaday IO had been out driving for about an hour, no problems. Stopped to call in a shop for about 10 mins max, when I tried to start it again it wouldn't have it, thinking it was the usual problem I waited and tried again a few times. 20 mmins later after god knows how many attempts and the battery fading I gave in and called the AA, this was a first for me with this car. Technician couldn't suss it out but thinks it's something to do with the fuel delivery, could be electrical fault or a fault with the immobiliser. He reckons there's only a 12volt to the sender unit (that could just supply the gauge) but the pump should be getting 12 volts. I desperately need help with this one, do I need a new pump? is it an immobiliser problem? did anyone get theirs sorted and if so what was it?
Please help.
Answered Jun 25, 2010 (13 years ago)
Thanks for the reply, ok for those of you who may have a similar problem, today I've been through everything and finaly managed to get it going. I checked the intake on the filter and found no fuel was getting pumped up to the filter, I then went looking for the pump online and on the car and couldn't find it anywhere, it was mentioned it could be part of the sender unit on the tank so I went with that. Removed the access panel in the boot and removed the sender unit from the tank (There is a propper tool for removing the securing o ring from Renault for about £55 but there was no way I was paying that) I managed to carefully loosen the securing ring with gentle pressure with a large screwdriver although I'm not advising that. I discovered on removal there was no pump as part of the unit but discovered some gunk on the filter so cleaned that up and replaced it being very careful with the securing ring again. I eventually found the pump located at the front of the car (drivers side) at the very bottom of the bulkhead in direct line with the filter (it is very hard to spot from the engine bay or from underneath) Anyway I had a thought that maybe the pump was just jammed, a bit like when sometimes a starter motor jams and needs a knock/tap to free it off again. So I got a piece of thin metal tubing and from the top/engine bay gave it a few taps. Turned it over and low and behold it fired up straight away, no messing. Turned it off and tried again, fired up right away, so there you go it could just be the pump occaisionally jamming. So after an AA technician spending about an hour fault finding and coming up blank and myself spending a good few hours on it trying different things it turned out that the pump just needed a little tap to free it off but at least it's saved me shelling out money for new parts, for now at least. I hope this may help someone else with a similar problem and save them some money as it seems quite common
Answered Jun 26, 2010 (13 years ago)
As stated on here the high pressure fuel pumps do fail and givng them a gentle tap can free them off but this is not a permanant fix replacing the fuel pump is. Anyway i have been having problems with a renault laguna dci of a customers which the problem was causing these problems no fuel an no heater plugs lighting up so basically what was happening was all electrics were shutting down which the cause of that is the inertia switch and a few corroded earths which was eaily rectified and has now caused trouble free motoring i have posted this just incase anyone else has this problem all the best
Answered Aug 9, 2012 (11 years ago)

This problem is archived

If you're having a similar problem please click below to re-post this problem, you can then customise it to suit your situation.

Helpful & Related Pages on AutoInsider

More problems with the 1999 model year Renault Laguna

We have 21 problems and solutions in our database for this model year of the car.

View all Renault Laguna Problems