hi all, in need of help, i have a 1.8 diesel focus 57 plate started to flash engine system fault, and started to run lumpy then cleared. changed fuel filter now will not start off key but will start with a push! tried pumping the air out through fuel lines still no start any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks michelle

 

Is it safe to assume it is a stick shift?
Are you able to get the starter to crank the engine?
From where I am,,,,, if it will run with a push , but not with the key , the only other thing I can think of at the moment is the safety switch that closes when the clutch pedal is depressed. Does this make any sense to you?

 

hi hanky thanks so much for reply and yes i get what ur saying (sort of) he said when he was towing yesterday he switch ignition off the back on and the car took off! if that makes sence? so sorry for sounding dumb but do u have any ideas wot to do?

 

When you turn the key to the start position with the clutch pedal all the way down what happens?

 

just turns over and over but dosent start

 

From what you describe it sounds like the key switch is not sending a signal down to a fuel control solenoid all the time. If you fiddle with the switch a few times then try to start it does it allow it to start?

 

thanks for ur help, a few mornings b4 the fuel filter change, it took ages to start but once started was fine all day, but since then hes tried all uve said and dtill nothing just turns over and over but wnt fire up

 

Was the temp outside cold on those mornings, and how about this time?

Not knowing where you are located, if the outside temp goes below a certain point, diesels require some form of engine heat in order to fire up.
Generally they use a glow plug type system to accomplish this. That system if not working completely could cause hard starting when cold.

 

yes it was

 

Now we're getting somewhere.
We are limited as to just how much we can do with letters and you may need to have someone check the glow plugs and glow plug relay.
We always start with the simple things like check all the fuses to make sure the one for engine heat/start is good.