Unusual Starting problem.

Streatwise · Post by **Streatwise** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 2:04 pm

Hi there
I have an almost identical problem, see below link to my post

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=77805

Other than what's in my post I also have the issue of my fan coming on immediately, and also experience power lose when this happens.
Battery less than 6 months and fully charged, new alternator and file pump as well.

She runs like a dream when running well but recently this Problem has been more and more prevelant.

Will keep you posted on what I do and outcomes

Aaron

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:39 pm

Hello Streetwise, sorry to hear of your difficulties,I haven't got to the bottom of mine, so can't help you much other than suggest you keep reading here as well, unless maybe we should start our own club?

I don't think the flashing glow plug light being an indication of a fault is relevant i my case, as the flashing is intermittent, if it was a fault it would be regular flashes.I know modern Diesels do this but I am not even sure if Bongos do, maybe someone on here could clarify.
I managed to catch mine when it has the problem and measure the voltage at the Glow plug bar, it fluctuates between 0.13 and 0.20, so less than half a volt, which is a massive drop from the high 11s when all is OK. Later it started to work OK again and I noticed over and above the Glow plug click, there was a slightly quieter click, which I think comes from the rear Temp sensor or certainly around the immediate area. I couldn't see anything else in the immediate area that seemed to be anything to do with it, so my money is on the sensor, unless anyone else has any other ideas?
I cycled the ignition about 6-8 times whilst checking the voltage to the glow plugs, the last couple of times I could hear the clicking lessening and then it was suddenly "fixed". I started the van and ran it for a while to charge and heat up, then switched it on/off a few times and all was fine. I left it for a few hours and tried again but again it wouldn't start, at this point I decided I had had enough.
The problem with the rear temp sensor if that is where the fault lies, is that by changing it I would lose coolant and need to re-bleed the system. I am really not keen on this due to al the issues we had before we found we had a cracked cylinder head and then it all went out of my control and to an alleged specialist. When I was working on it I changed the Temp sensor but the new one was no good and it had to be changed again. The second one was OK and I advised the Garage of this when we gave them the van but I believe they changed it again and I am now wishing they hadn't. There are so many cheap sensors online to buy and the companies selling don't seem to care if they are the right part for your car or van if they work, so I guess it would need to be a genuine Mazda one this time but I would appreciate if anyone can advise if I seem to be on the right track or not.

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:43 pm

Latest update; Been at it again today and I am beginning to think it's maybe not the Temp sensor

I have narrowed the clicking down to the vacuum solenoids which sit on a bracket to the side of the rocker cover ( RHS of engine). This is the only way I can describe them, they all have vac pipes coming in and out and multi plugs of wires but none of the colours match those going to the temp sensor. The one to the front has live going to the rear plug and with that removed these is no click on start up. The vac pipes go down the back (2) and a further 2 at the rear which plug into a junction attached to he metal bracket,
Anyone know what these are and what they are meant to do?
Thanks.

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:48 pm

Same as these; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO- ... SwIe1gK8xq

Tempted to ask the gut selling what they do, place your bets, he doesn't know either

Post by **g8dhe** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:46 pm

The sensors don't drive the solenoids and other devices directly so the colours won't match up. All the sensors feed the ECU and then the ECU sends signals out to the devices that need to operate etc.

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:54 pm

H, Thanks for that, been doing some research and was thinking it can't be anything to do with them. They seem to be cold start solenoids and vacuum solenoids for the EGR. So it seems a similar signal is being sent out to these when I try to start the van, this is the click or no click I can hear, so I guess a symptom of my starting issue but not directly the cause, so pretty much back to the drawing board, anyone any ideas?

Streatwise · Post by **Streatwise** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:28 pm

Hi There winniebongo
Well quick update...
I took battery out and charged over night, in tbe meantime cleaned up the terminal connectors, took off glowplugs relay and cleaned all terminals and connectors. Opened up drivers engine hatch and checked all connections unplugged cleaned and reconnected (some wee loose when checked.
Then put battery back in made sure terminals connected well and turned key to second possition.
No fan coming on and power to glowplugs ok, the turned over and started fine.
Now this may just be coincidence and haven't tried again today. Saying this i have recently had issues with other connectors not making a good connection for other systems on my bongo and a good clean and refit, or fixed wire has sorted many an issue..
Will keep you posted

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 6:39 pm

Good news, hope you are right and everything is Ok now

I am a bit disillusioned with mine, been talking to some people but haven't touched it again. Our van isn't prone to loose connections but just when you say that, maybe it is worth checking all the stuff that was off when the head got changed, I would think at least!
Keep us posted how yours goes and if I get any success I will post up on here

Streatwise · Post by **Streatwise** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 4:17 pm

Hi winniebongo
Well first time out to the van since last post. Key in and started as it should, glow plug lights on and no flickering, no fan on and started first turnover.
Fingers crossed that all the terminal and plug cleaning and tightening was the issue. Also resecuted the battery so doesn't wobble about and have fitted a solar panel with charge controller to keep the battery fully charged.
So far all seems to be working well.
Now to tackle the central locking issue

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:30 pm

Well the last 2 days the van has fired up fine. Today I thought we would take it out for a run today but she said No! So I have cleaned some more connections, mainly the engine and body earths and she started fine after that so went a wee run for a couple of miles, all was fine but I really don't know if anything I have done has made any difference.
Incidentally I tried the other day to get hold of an Auto-Electrician, this was after leaving messages for 2 who never returned my calls. My local garage told me in the past that they sometimes bring a guy in but apparently he wouldn't look at the Bongo, too complicated and would take too much time making the cost to him "more than it was worth". He said they don't like jobs like this and prefer more straight forward things like DPF deletes and fitting stereos. I know a guy who is a mobile mechanic and gave him a phone, he said he knows of one but he's hard to get hold of and frequently goes "A-wall" mid job, so he couldn't recommend him. I left a message for another guy, possibly he was finished for the weekend, so maybe Monday, hopefully not another sob story. Must be great, just pick and choose the easy jobs, I must be doing something wrong

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:01 pm

OK, so opposite to the last post for the last few days I have ad constant intermittent flashing glow plug light. I checked the wiring with the diagram supplied by Geoff and it is fine but the voltage is reduced to the purple wire and so from there all the way to the plugs. I tried to trace the wore a bit, couldn't see any obvious damage but once it disappears into the loom, who knows. I ran a parallel wire from an ignition live to the relay, it clicks on but doesn't stay on and the dash light still flickers on and off. I got enough power to allow a start but even with the engine running and the plug with the purple wire disconnected, dash light is on and off and there is random clicking from around the engine/under bonnet area. I still had the old relay which I rigged up to a battery in the garage and it works fine, so I definitely have a wring issue with the van, think I seriously need to find an auto-spark

Streatwise · Post by **Streatwise** » Thu May 27, 2021 9:38 am

Hi there Winniebongo
Since my last reply all has been working fine, glow plugs on at start, no fans and start first time. All until yesterday, after not driving it for a week got in and same issue again.. Fans on, flashing GP light and fast clicking relay, Trouble starting and poor power/not changing up

Going out to have a look later but wandered if you had any news on yours since then?
Cheers

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