starting problem

placed key in lock -turned key -engine turned over-would not fire - plenty of diesel -battery fully charged-removed key tried at least ten times - called AA - patrol  turned key it then started first time --  any ideas as to the cause would be most welcome ,

I was driving a hired peugeot van (similar model to my Nuevo) recently. We stopped at the motorway services and then we couldn't restart it. Same problem you had. While we were waiting for the breakdown chap I thought I would try turning the ignition key over, ie through 180 degrees. It started first time. Possibly there is an immobilizer in the key somewhere that has to line up with something in the steering column?

Faulty or failed glow plug relay? Had this problem a few years ago on my VW T4, changed the relay quite easily for a non-OEM part (about £35), only for it to fail again after a year or so. Replaced it again with genuine VW relay, £100ish, but its still going strong. 
You could try disconnecting the air filter and giving the air intake a blast of Quick Start aerosol- that should do the trick on a short-term basis.

Rich

Thanks.  Will try all these ideas next time.

Thanks to Jeffg and Rich.  Will try your possible solutions next time it happens.

A long shot - If your checks fail get the immobiliser checked out

BarryIm,

I had a similar experience with my Palermo a few months ago.  I read somewhere about the Pug engine management getting confused about the throttle position if you depress the throttle pedal and turn the key  (I think it there is also a time factor involved).

So I have a set starting procedure which since then has never failed ( yes, I know I've probably jinxed it now)

1.  DO NOT TOUCH the throttle pedal.
2.  Turn on the ignition
3.  Wait for heater and injector lights to go out and for fuel pump to stop priming.
4.  Turn key to start

Engine always starts immediately.

Don't know if its related to your problem or not and I cant work out how it gets "unconfused" either.
Ian

Thanks for info.  Have had quite a few suggestions but will have to try them out if it happens again.
Barry.

Interesting post from Ian; my procedure is the same except that, as I often leave the vehicle in gear when parked, I first depress the clutch, check that the gear stick is in the neutral position and then still keep the clutch depressed (just in case!).

Genuine question - I'm curious to know why anyone would depress the throttle before starting?

cheers
Roger

Hang over from old carb days, when they had pumps, quick jab to squirt a dollop of fuel into the manifold?

rogerblack wrote:
Genuine question - I'm curious to know why anyone would depress the throttle before starting?

It was a very common procedure in the 70's and 80's on petrol cars, to engage the auto-choke (the much-hated auto-choke, in most cases) on the carb. A typical setup had the choke automatically disengaged by a coolant-heated bimetal spring, but you needed to press the throttle to operate a ratchet to close it again when the engine was cold. Not really relevant on a diesel though!

Thanks PLOUGHLIN and -mojo-.

As someone recently commented, you learn something new every day on here!

A quite common problem on older Boxer/Ducato vans and derivatives.   It is an immobiliser problem - if you put in your key, wait for the injector light to go out - but the immobiliser light stays on, the engine will not start as it has not recognised the key.   Most prevalant on vehicles with the special red/brown programming key.   Seems to happen more with a warm or hot engine.   Answer is to either disable the immobiliser [cost me £250] or get a new key set with immobiliser costing megabucks.   I park my Vivanti on my gated drive so security is not an issue but if you use a storage facility might have insurance issues if it is stolen.

The transponder in the key talks to an aerial which is probably in a cylindrical sleeve around the ignition lock.  Change this first if the problem recurs.
The transponder is also screwed up by overhead power lines..
PeteJ