406 HDI (90HP) 2001 STARTING FAULT...HELP!

[skin64]

Hi everybody,
I'm new here but hope somebody can help me out. I have a 2001 90hp 406 HDI which has developed this problem...
If I start it first thing in the morning, it'll fire up, no problem. However, if I then drive it for a few miles & switch the engine off, it won't start again. The engine will turn over & all the ignition lights come on but it won't bloody start!

This started happening months ago & to start with, you just waited a few minutes & it would start again. Then you'd probably wait a few months for it to happen again. Now though, it happens without fail & will take a good few hours until it will start again. I could live with this if I wasn't a getaway driver for a living! - It will always start first thing in the morning (or after a long interval of use).

I took it to my local garage who plugged it into his diagnostics machine but the machine crashed. He's not 100% certain but reckons it's a faulty crankshaft sensor. The part only costs £12 & is easy to fit, so I've left it with him, but I'd be very grateful for any ideas from you guys. - Cheers, Skin.

[steve_earwig]

Hi there, I've been having a wee search through for you because your problem sounds familiar but 10 pages in I lost the will to live...

It could be 1,000,001 things, including the immobilizer (btw does the K light do anything interesting?) 12 quid doesn't sound too bad for the mechanic to start guessing but if it's not the problem get him to put the old one back - you don't really want to start a precident for him to change half your engine in the hope he clears it and end up costing you a fortune!

[skin64]

Thanks for your reply.
mmm... I guess I'll just have to wait to see what the mechanic comes up with & take it from there. 'Scuse my ignorance, but what's the K light? - Thanks again for your help. - Skin.

[steve_earwig]

Sorry, it gets called all sorts on here, aka Engine Management Light.

[skin64]

The engine management light is not illuminated... ??

[Livefast123]

Sounds like a typical crankshaft postion sensor problem to me, over the years the heat damages the covering and when the engine gets hot the sensor malfunctions and your car won't start. Fiats also suffer badly from this as I had it on my Marea diesel. Give it a shot, it's a cheap bit and prob would benefit from changing anyway.

It doesn't always bring the ECU light on.

[skin64]

Thanks for that & fingers crossed, you're right. - Cheers, Skin.

[skin64]

WAAAHHHEEEYYYY!!! - Mechanic came up trumps. Turned out to be the camshaft sensor. Part cost £18 & he didn't even charge me for fitting it! - Obviously, I gave him a good drink for his troubles.

Thanks for your input. - Skin.