Citroen Xsara won't start (turns over but won't catch)

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

A friend has a (very tatty) V-reg Citroen Xsara which won't start. It turns over, and feels very like it wants to catch but won't quite make it. I think it fires, but only once and then gives up but keeps turning over. It worked fine on Thursday afternoon but wouldn't start on Thursday evening. Fuel gauge shows a little over half a tank. Last serviced about 2 1/2 years ago (it's been neglected). Yes, it's a heap.

Have checked:

- Sparks (with the spark plug gap tool). It has sparks.
- Fuel pump fuse, it's OK.
- Injectors. Have pulled the fuel rail off the back of the injectors and fuel comes out in good quantities. If you disconnect and re-connect the ECU it also sounds like the fuel pump runs.

My guess is that the injectors aren't opening, but there is no injector (or ECU) fuse listed. Short of back-probing the injectors, what can be done?

There is a broken component that bolts to the head and is connected to a lead that is part of the loom that goes into coil pack block that sits on top of the head (photo attached). Given that there are sparks, I'm guessing this component isn't important to make it run (my guess it it's a radio interference supressor or something like that.) Piccie here - do you think this is relevant?



What would you do? (Apart from call the local scrap merchants).


Oli.

Edited by zcacogp on Monday 15th July 11:40

[Sardonicus]

Have you physically pulled the plugs out? sounds like they're fouled/flooded hence why you initially get something then nothing as they get wet again the suppressor is there to stop electrical noise to the ECU as well as the radio etc etc get another fitted for its there for a reason

[zcacogp]

Sardonicus,

Thanks. Yes, it was the plugs. I pulled them out and they were black and fouled, and hugely over-gapped. A wipe clean and re-gapping them and it started slightly reluctantly, and has started every time since.

The car is a bit of a heap and will probably be scrapped in a month's time when it is no longer needed by the friends who own it (they are leaving the country). Which is a shame, 'cos it runs fairly sweetly.


Oli.

[itcaptainslow]

It's quite common for these to randomly lose their key programming, especially if the battery has gone flat.

[Krikkit]

You were right on your diagnosis - that is a suppressor for the coil circuit. It makes very little difference in the end, they run with or without it.