59 plate 1.6hdi diesel not starting

[Marty]

Hi.
Looking for ideas to what's wrong with non starting van.

I was due to take it to the garage after Xmas for a check up as it took a couple of tries to start the other day on a cold morning and there was also a burning smell outside the cab after driving.(smells like a mechanics garage,kind of oily welding smell ?.) 
Anyway I've not made it to the garage yet and now it's not starting.

when you turn key it cranks for a split second then stops cranking, simultaneously the headlights and wipers then come on by their self, radio clocks resets each time, and a message about antitheft on radio display and an audio message saying contact emergency services.

It was as a cold morning and had serious condensation build up inside the van the night before and water beading on the underside of bonnet.
I'm guessing it's some sort of electrical problem, immobilizer?
Also does this model have a fuel shut off switch anywhere?.

Will be getting the AA out for a tow to the garage when their back open but any idea are welcome in the meantime.

Thanks

[cancunia]

Welcome to the forum.

'Contact Emergency Services', that's an odd message and suggests that there's an aftermarket security system been added?

[Marty]

Thanks.
The message was 'hold button for two second to contact emergency services' read about a thing called Citreon Assist with some vehicle fitted with sos button to press to get recovery incase of breakdown or accident. I don't have the button so wondered why it gave me that message.

[jj9]

The symptoms you describe are consistent with a failing battery.

Have you checked the battery?

Do you have a battery from another vehicle you can try?

Don't overlook the simple things.


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[Marty]

Hi
Thanks for reply
Unable to check the voltage but going to try jump leads tomorrow see if that helps. Hopefully it is just a simple thing.

[jj9]

If the battery on your van is too far gone jump leads may not work as your knackered battery will pull down the power, you may have to take your battery out of the circuit.

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[Sol]

Yep definitely battery, we had the exact same behaviour on a B9 and only a new battery cured it. Even when the AA jumped it with a monster booster pack it died the next day with the old battery.

Bite the bullet and get a new battery.

[jj9]

Hi
Thanks for reply
Unable to check the voltage but going to try jump leads tomorrow see if that helps. Hopefully it is just a simple thing.

How did you get on ?


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[Marty]

Ended up not trying to jump start it and just went and got a new battery today, fitted it and she started first time, no problems. An Easy job in the end but pretty satisfying for a novice not paying someone else to do it. Thanks for the helpful comments.

[jj9]

Good to hear that you got it sorted. 

Modern vehicles with all of the electronics going on often throw a right wobbler like you experienced when the battery voltage dips below a set level.



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