Hi guys , back again , although have had some good motoring out of my 1998 1.8 petrol , reason i am posting is this , cylinder head gasket was needing done for some time ( like a year ) but as was only going less than 20 miles left it until this week. Timed it as per manual and Mr gates belt book , all well reassembled , filled with water , but it refuses to start , noticed Engine Auto Diagnosis light on when i was cranking it , so investigstion began , firstly there is a spark checked it with spark tool with bulb in , fuel pump is charging system , took both fuel lines off and put them in a tub , fuel being delivered to rail.
Started to doubt that timing was correct even as i had put it back together on same marks / pins in , stripped covers off everything spot on , never come across this light before and i have had this car for over 16 years .
 Thinking i have disturbed something along the way , going to check lambda wiring , am I on right track or does someone know what is wrong or what should i test next . Sorry to be so long winded but it is best expanation i can give of problem.
By the way i am a retired mechanic , just retired , so have access to most tools , thanks for reading
Larry

Maybe crank sensor ?

(17-02-2022, 08:22 PM)oilyrag Wrote:  Maybe crank sensor ?

Thanks for reply but cannot see one , but maybe I have missed it , there are 2 sensors at rear of cylinder head at battery end . Damned annoying as it is usually an extremly reliable machine.
Puzzled

As an 'old' mechanic you'd be familiar with setting TDC on the firing (compression) stroke - I've not done the job you have, but was the engine on the correct 'firing' stroke when setting the pins - I couldn't see any mention in Haynes of having to do that, or how to do it .  From what I can read the crank sensor sits above the flywheel, held in by 1 bolt to the top of the clutch housing.
My 2002 code reader socket predates OBD2 reader plug so if you do try to get the codes make sure you get the reader with the correct plug on the end. Someone on here will know the name of the correct one. 
I guess there's a good chance it will lead you to the issue.
Bring back old technology !!

(18-02-2022, 09:43 AM)oilyrag Wrote:  As an 'old' mechanic you'd be familiar with setting TDC on the firing (compression) stroke - I've not done the job you have, but was the engine on the correct 'firing' stroke when setting the pins - I couldn't see any mention in Haynes of having to do that, or how to do it .  From what I can read the crank sensor sits above the flywheel, held in by 1 bolt to the top of the clutch housing.
My 2002 code reader socket predates OBD2 reader plug so if you do try to get the codes make sure you get the reader with the correct plug on the end. Someone on here will know the name of the correct one. 
I guess there's a good chance it will lead you to the issue.
Bring back old technology !!

Haha like the 'old' bit.
Set timing pins on number 4 cyl at top dead centre , pins in easily , so it should have been spot on as regards firing stroke. My old launch code reader gets communication error message , my alternative i do think is to new to communicate also , but shall try it in afternoon. Seems odd that pump runs well and there is spark at least at one plug , need an assistant to some other checks . Need to find out if injectors are firing or not. I don't think they are as plugs are dry.
Haynes manual doesn't list 1.8 lfx petrol but it is same as Citroen xsara , using thay manual and berlingo manual checking wiring diagrams but is not that helpful , need autodata i think.
Thanks again for input , always welcome , if anyone else has input please don't hesitate .
Larry

(18-02-2022, 10:27 AM)larry46 Wrote:  

(18-02-2022, 09:43 AM)oilyrag Wrote:  As an 'old' mechanic you'd be familiar with setting TDC on the firing (compression) stroke - I've not done the job you have, but was the engine on the correct 'firing' stroke when setting the pins - I couldn't see any mention in Haynes of having to do that, or how to do it .  From what I can read the crank sensor sits above the flywheel, held in by 1 bolt to the top of the clutch housing.
My 2002 code reader socket predates OBD2 reader plug so if you do try to get the codes make sure you get the reader with the correct plug on the end. Someone on here will know the name of the correct one. 
I guess there's a good chance it will lead you to the issue.
Bring back old technology !!

Haha like the 'old' bit.
Set timing pins on number 4 cyl at top dead centre , pins in easily , so it should have been spot on as regards firing stroke. My old launch code reader gets communication error message , my alternative i do think is to new to communicate also , but shall try it in afternoon. Seems odd that pump runs well and there is spark at least at one plug , need an assistant to some other checks . Need to find out if injectors are firing or not. I don't think they are as plugs are dry.
Haynes manual doesn't list 1.8 lfx petrol but it is same as Citroen xsara , using thay manual and berlingo manual checking wiring diagrams but is not that helpful , need autodata i think.
Thanks again for input , always welcome , if anyone else has input please don't hesitate .
Larry

Should have said No 1 cylinder at gearbox end or am i wrong in thinking that that is No 1.
Larry

(18-02-2022, 10:29 AM)larry46 Wrote:  

(18-02-2022, 10:27 AM)larry46 Wrote:  

(18-02-2022, 09:43 AM)oilyrag Wrote:  As an 'old' mechanic you'd be familiar with setting TDC on the firing (compression) stroke - I've not done the job you have, but was the engine on the correct 'firing' stroke when setting the pins - I couldn't see any mention in Haynes of having to do that, or how to do it .  From what I can read the crank sensor sits above the flywheel, held in by 1 bolt to the top of the clutch housing.
My 2002 code reader socket predates OBD2 reader plug so if you do try to get the codes make sure you get the reader with the correct plug on the end. Someone on here will know the name of the correct one. 
I guess there's a good chance it will lead you to the issue.
Bring back old technology !!

Haha like the 'old' bit.
Set timing pins on number 4 cyl at top dead centre , pins in easily , so it should have been spot on as regards firing stroke. My old launch code reader gets communication error message , my alternative i do think is to new to communicate also , but shall try it in afternoon. Seems odd that pump runs well and there is spark at least at one plug , need an assistant to some other checks . Need to find out if injectors are firing or not. I don't think they are as plugs are dry.
Haynes manual doesn't list 1.8 lfx petrol but it is same as Citroen xsara , using thay manual and berlingo manual checking wiring diagrams but is not that helpful , need autodata i think.
Thanks again for input , always welcome , if anyone else has input please don't hesitate .
Larry

Should have said No 1 cylinder at gearbox end or am i wrong in thinking that that is No 1.
Larry

Number 1 is at transmission end, so you're right!

Changed head gasket on one of these last year. I can't think what might have been disturbed to leave engine light on and non start. I need to learn how to use basic diagnostics. I guess it doesn't have a chip in ignition key ( think 3 door with counter type mileage are just basic key and 5 door digital mileage have chip ). If so maybe there is a problem with immobiliser reading key. could try spare key if you have one.
Friend recently had intermittent starting problem on Peugeot 206 due to faulty key and car not always recognising it.

(19-02-2022, 06:04 AM)Kieron G Wrote:  Changed head gasket on one of these last year. I can't think what might have been disturbed to leave engine light on and non start. I need to learn how to use basic diagnostics. I guess it doesn't have a chip in ignition key ( think 3 door with counter type mileage are just basic key and 5 door digital mileage have chip ). If so maybe there is a problem with immobiliser reading key. could try spare key if you have one.
Friend recently had intermittent starting problem on Peugeot 206 due to faulty key and car not always recognising it.

Hi Kieron G , thanks for response , It is not ignition light that is on ( have found owners handbook ) It is the 'Engine Auto diagnosis ' lamp the one to left of airbag lamp. According to handbook it flags up a fault with injection or ignition system. Have allday Monday to get into it and check if a wire/plug is not connected properly , my initial thought was lambda sensor wiring , as if you did one last ear you may remember extension socket to remove exhaust nuts goes tight against lambda wiring. Now i think 'oilyrag' may have hit nail on head with crank sensor. However shall take time and check everything on injector rail , coil pack area before removing .
As i said in previous post it is normaly turn he key and go , plus it is good fun passing people in an ancient berlingo

Ah ok.Yes I was thinking of the yellow engine pictorial light being on. Interesting to know that it indicates an injection fault. Even these old cars have management systems I don't fully understand when they go wrong. I remember on ours there is a small blue multiplug near exhaust manifold at gearbox end that doesn't plug into anything. If yours is same could you have plugged that one in instead to the one needed. I tie wrapped it up as worried it would get too near exhaust manifold and melt.