What are the reasons for diesel electronic injection engines failing to start?
2 Answers
Engine starting difficulty refers to a situation where the starter can drive the engine to rotate at normal speed, with obvious signs of ignition, but the engine fails to start, or requires multiple consecutive starts or prolonged cranking to start. For starting difficulty faults, it is necessary to distinguish whether they occur during cold starts, hot starts, or regardless of engine temperature. The cause of this issue generally lies in the fuel injection system. Fault analysis: During starting, the crankshaft rotates at normal speed, but it takes a long time to start, or there are obvious ignition signs but the engine fails to start. Possible causes include: air leaks in the intake system; fuel pressure too low; clogged air filter; faulty coolant temperature sensor; faulty air flow meter; faulty idle control valve or auxiliary air valve; cold start injector not working; leaking fuel injector; incorrect ignition timing; broken wiring from the starter switch to the ECU; too low cylinder compression pressure.
My diesel car's electronic fuel injection won't start, and I've encountered this issue several times. The most common cause is insufficient battery power, especially during cold starts. If an aging battery can't hold a full charge, it needs replacement. Then there are fuel system problems that can be quite troublesome: the fuel pump might not be working properly, failing to deliver adequate fuel pressure; or the fuel filter could be clogged, preventing fuel from reaching the engine, requiring cleaning or replacement. Sensors in the electronic fuel injection system, such as a faulty crankshaft position sensor, can cause the ECU to receive no signal and mess up fuel injection control, making the car impossible to start. If there's no response when trying to start, the starter motor might be faulty; if the engine cranks but doesn't fire, it's likely a fuel system issue. I recommend regular maintenance of the battery and fuel filter, using quality diesel from reputable gas stations, as poor-quality fuel can cause carbon buildup and clog the injectors, which is even more frustrating. Also, make sure the key is in the correct ignition position to avoid procedural mistakes.
