Vauxhall Astra H (2007) 1.7 cdti cranking but not firing up

[enriqueg1]

Hi,

I have a Vauxhall Astra H (2007) 1.7 cdti cranking but not firing up - no error codes. A bit more info below -
Crank sensor replaced last week
MAP Sensor replaced 2 weeks ago
Battery good
This weekend just gone cleaned EGR Valve and pipe (same issue before clean) - EGR Valve closed
Also, last week had some look to replace the starter and crank sensor but he couldn’t get the starter off so just sensor replaced. We started the car 2 - 3 times and it fired up ok.
Starter motor seems fine according the AA who I called to look at the car.
Unfortunately the person who replaced the crank sensor though it would be a good idea to check the injectors so he decided to proceed and take apart the 4th injector but don’t think he knew what he was doing so it was put back together and connected up.
This is when the car just refused to fire up, just keeps cranking. There’s fuel coming through the the high pressure hose and top of the injectors but still not firing up.

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks

[GreenV8S]

It will probably be something that was disturbed after it was last running.

If you can't work out what that was then to diagnose it you should start with the basics:

• if the plugs are wet it may be an ignition problem
• if the plug are dry it may be a fuel problem
• if it's a fuel problem you're looking for either lack of fuel pressure, or lack of power to the injectors, or lack of the signal to open them
• if it affects all cylinders you are probably looking for something common to all of them

The timeline is a bit confusing. Is there some underlying problem that you are trying to resolve? You seem to have had a lot of work done leading up to this final problem.

[Richard-D]

Pretty unlikely to be an ignition problem in my opinion.

[stevieturbo]

Richard-D said:

Pretty unlikely to be an ignition problem in my opinion.

Yep...and pretty unlikely for the plugs to be wet either lol...

Get a proper fault scanner.

Are you getting an rpm signal ?

Are all other sensors giving sensible readings ? No strange flashing lights or anything on the dash ?

You do have fuel in the tank...and correct fuel ? well maintained ?

Starter motor is very easy to change on them, so no idea why they couldnt get it off. Changing the crank sensor would be bloody awkward with it on, but doable. Like really bloody awkward.

Presumably it is turning over ok though ?

And exactly what do you mean by taking apart the injector ? If they were incapable of removing the starter on such an easy vehicle, the last thing he should have been tampering with is an injector !!

[enriqueg1]

Get a proper fault scanner - No codes even from pedal test

Are you getting an rpm signal ? - Car just turning over but no firing

Are all other sensors giving sensible readings ? No strange flashing lights or anything on the dash ? New MAP and Crank Sensors. EGR Cleaned and valve closed.

You do have fuel in the tank...and correct fuel ? well maintained ? Just under 1/2 tank diesel

Starter motor is very easy to change on them, so no idea why they couldn't get it off. Changing the crank sensor would be bloody awkward with it on, but doable. Like really bloody awkward. - No idea but lesson learnt. Never get a monkey with a wrench anywhere near my car. Wish I had proper jack and axle stands

Presumably it is turning over ok though ? - Car turning over and big battery fully charged.

And exactly what do you mean by taking apart the injector ? If they were incapable of removing the starter on such an easy vehicle, the last thing he should have been tampering with is an injector !! - Basically disconnected the injector connector and unscrewed it open. I think he may have dropped or not put in the small pieces back properly!

Will be double checking this myself then take a 10 minute walk to the local car breakers.

[enriqueg1]

GreenV8S said:

It will probably be something that was disturbed after it was last running.

If you can't work out what that was then to diagnose it you should start with the basics:

• if the plugs are wet it may be an ignition problem
• if the plug are dry it may be a fuel problem
• if it's a fuel problem you're looking for either lack of fuel pressure, or lack of power to the injectors, or lack of the signal to open them
• if it affects all cylinders you are probably looking for something common to all of them

The timeline is a bit confusing. Is there some underlying problem that you are trying to resolve? You seem to have had a lot of work done leading up to this final problem.

Didn't work with any of the glow plugs which are about 1 year old.
Car started fine after changing the crank sensor (only part replaced) but after the injector was messed about with that's when it just cranks and not firing up.
Fuel pump and pressure checked ok
Tomorrow I'll check the inject that was opened and see if all the small bits are there otherwise it's a 10 minute walk to the local car breaker for an injector.

[stevieturbo]

If you cannot answer the questions asked...then it will be nigh on impossible to get anywhere.

And it seems given the info and incompetence already displayed by this mechanic or whatever they were....it seems rather unlikely that fuel pump and pressure has been checked as that would require more ability and equipment than it seems are available here.

So once again....fault codes ? From a proper scanner. ( although pedal test should be a good second best )

Are you getting an rpm signal ?

Are all other sensors giving sensible readings ? No strange flashing lights or anything on the dash ?

Is the vehicle well maintained ? Wouldnt be the first time random people have had cars fail to run etc simply through neglect whether by themselves or others.

The questions are very specific. And answer to something different gets nowhere.

But no codes, no start...could be crank trigger related. Crank trigger would be easy checked with the right equipment in a few seconds. Without....much harder.

Catch 22....if you do not have the gear/knowledge, then you're going nowhere other than throwing random parts at a car, which is never the best option.

And as for that injector again....not something people should be taking apart. So specifics on what he did actually do will make a huge difference, because he could easily have fked it.