help -starting the engine

[izabela]

Hi All

I am asking for help i just bought smart forfour pulse cdi 95 diesel. there is no problem in the morning to start the engine ( i am waiting untill the light on the dashboard switch off) After driving lets say 13 miles i stop it and switch the engine off. After two hours i want to go somewhere i want to switch the engine, the light on the dashboard is maybe there for 1 sec and then i cant start the engine. I need to accelarate to help the engine start. It will eventually start but it doesnt sound like the normal procedure. what is happening? I do worry and i appreciate any help.

many thanks

[problemchild1976]

Re: help -starting the engine

Hmmmm - could be a few things !

Dirty throttle valve actuator (TVA) or glow plugs

With the glow plugs, failure is normally indicated by the light going out and then coming back on again for a bit

Pop across to www.forfour.co.uk for loads if info on the 2 things I have mentioned

JJ

[Messerschmitt Owner]

Re: help -starting the engine

Doesn't sound like glow plugs to me. The car would be difficult to start when cold and easier when warm, not vice versa

[problemchild1976]

Re: help -starting the engine

I agree - 99% sure it will be the TVA

JJ

[izabela]

Re: help -starting the engine

thank you I will check it

[lalli_d1]

Re: help -starting the engine

dont think it would be a throttle valve actuator, that would be the petrols, the diesels would have a diffrent system, no?

[izabela]

Re: help -starting the engine

wow now i am confused.
i went to work. In the morning it was cold and the engine didnt start i had to accelarate a little and then after 8 hours of not using my car i wanted to go back home and the light was on maybe 2 secs when i wanted to start the engine. dont u think a little too quick too switch off, and then i had to accelarate . when the engine is warm i have no problem to start it again without adding any speed

[problemchild1976]

Re: help -starting the engine

hmmmmmmmmmmm!! no i think there is.....!!

its on the hose between the airbox to the intercooler (i think)

what has been described is the same symptom as TVA issues! starts ok but if you stop and turn off and try and restart, it struggles! opening and shutting the bonnet seems to be a "get the car started" solution but a good clean is the long term fix

i only mentioned the glow plugs as that can be an issue but you just need to keep an eye on the light and see if it does anything strange!

how many miles has the car covered izabela??

JJ

[madDan]

Re: help -starting the engine

Maybe duff throttle pedal position sensor would be my guess.

Have you got anyone who can read any stored error codes?

[izabela]

Re: help -starting the engine

car did 28 000 miles

[problemchild1976]

Re: help -starting the engine

Read the info on the TVA and see if that describes your issues

Also, next time it won't start, open and shut the bonnet and see if it goes then (just humour me)

JJ

[izabela]

Re: help -starting the engine

Well even worse today. Mechanic cant help me cos he doesnt know what it is

so today morning i couldnt start my car without accelarating
Later after 2 hours i went to start the engine. I turn the key, the light switched off after 2 sec and however i waited 10 sec more and it worked so what is really happening>? If it would be glow plugs the light would come off and back but it doesnt.

[madDan]

Re: help -starting the engine

What on earth do you mean accelerating?

If the car hasn't started you can't accelerate!

Do you mean pressing the accelerator pedal?


If you have to press the pedal first, try pressing the pedal a few times before putting your key in the ignition and see if that helps at all or has absolutely no effect.


Is the mechanic a smart mechanic or a local place?

[izabela]

Re: help -starting the engine

yes obviously i meant putting foot on the pedal

it is a local mechanic

[problemchild1976]

Re: help -starting the engine

What on earth do you mean accelerating?

well i thought it was obvious

did you try the "open & shut the bonnet" thing??

JJ