Mk2 2006 1.8 Tdci Intermittent Start Problem

[IINexusII]

Hi guys.

Bought a Focus MK2 1.8 TDCi a few weeks ago. loving the car so far! for 108,000 miles it really runs brilliantly.

I have a problem which I've started noticing for a few days. Sometimes when I try to start the car in the morning it would just click, which I first think that it would be a battery issue or something, but if I try to start the car again for the second or third time it would crank and start just fine. I know its not a battery issue because I had recently fitted a brand new Bosch S5 battery due to the old one being at the end of its life.

I have also noticed that sometimes if I would get out of the car, open and close the boot, or opening and closing the drivers door and sitting back in the car, it would start up just fine.

It seems to be an intermittent issue but I cant pinpoint what it could be. I had a thought that it could be something to do with the battery inside the key fob and replaced that, but still had the issue once. It doesn't happen often, which is why it is hard to pinpoint what the issue could be. the only thing I remember doing out of the ordinary was putting some diesel injector cleaner inside the tank after filling up. Could it be an issue with the Immobiliser? Glow Plugs or Injectors?

Any help would be grateful.

[Pitmonster]

If the initial 'click' means that there is no attempt to turn the engine over, then I would suggest the starter motor would be a good place to look.

When they wear out they can often fail to activate/spin (I've known people tap them with a hammer to free them off)

[IINexusII]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah It could be that the starter is gone sticky with oil and gunk which is making it hard to push the teeth into the flywheel. ill be taking it out on the weekend and giving it a good clean. ill report back :)

[stef123]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah It could be that the starter is gone sticky with oil and gunk which is making it hard to push the teeth into the flywheel. ill be taking it out on the weekend and giving it a good clean. ill report back :)

look out for iron filings too

[IINexusII]

it was alright since that day until today, where it completely failed to start no matter how many times i tried starting it. got the RAC to come over and did the hammer trick while attempting to crank the engine and it started. so got a new starter from the breakers on the way back home and got it replaced asap. also noticed some small bits of dirt, like small stones coming out when i undid the bolts and removed the starter. it also needed abit more twist needed to turn the teeth by hand compared to the replacement part. ill probably be opening it up and tinkering with it since its pretty much a spare now :)