FL2 TD4 - wouldn't start in Park but then started in Neutral?

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Buel10

Active Member
Posts
196
Location
Wrexham
Hi all.
This morning in the cold, my FL2 would turn over and then almost start but immediately stop in Park. I tried again and again (stupidly, I guess) but then slipped it in to Neutral and it started just fine.
Any ideas?
 
Check the battery connections, how old is battery, is car being used much ? if only for short journeys then battery maybe not fully charging and can become troublesome in cold weather, do you have the extra earth strap.
 
Check the battery connections, how old is battery, is car being used much ? if only for short journeys then battery maybe not fully charging and can become troublesome in cold weather, do you have the extra earth strap.
Wow, how good are you? It happened again this morning on a very cold frost-laden morning. Oddly, though, I make some pretty long journeys.
Anyway, I'm not aware I have the 'extra earth strap'? Please can you explain more?

Video of what was happening to me this morning - now the fob is stuck in??
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0ScSXhm0x94QurEvpLnKEN_rQ
 
Sounds like your battery is past it, or the earth connection to the vehicle isn't sound. These do suffer bad earths, so the extra engine earth is advised, and easy to install.
What can happen, is the earth is sufficient to supply low power items, but the moment the starter needs to pull high current, the earth fails, as kills the power to the vehicle.

So check the battery, and replace if its more than 4 years old. Check the original battery to body earth is clean and corrosion free, cleaning if necessary, and fit an additional earth cable between the battery and top starter bolt on the engine.
 
Update on this - haven't been able to get the Earth strap on yet but twice it has failed to start in the cold. Both AA visits said the battery is fine but it DID start once they used jump leads on it? Heater plugs as well, perhaps?
 
Update on this - haven't been able to get the Earth strap on yet but twice it has failed to start in the cold. Both AA visits said the battery is fine but it DID start once they used jump leads on it? Heater plugs as well, perhaps?

If it's starting with booster cables, then it sounds like the battery is past its best.

Maybe it's a combination of factors, low battery coupled with a high resistance engine earth.

Mine started just fine, with 4 dead plugs, so I doubt it's the plugs.
 
Hi all.
My friend found looking at the plugs to test them was quite difficult, almost 30 minutes work to get to them?
Do you advise I go straight for it and get a new battery? Also, can anyone provide a good link to but an additional earth strap as I won't be going in to Halfords anytime soon?

Thanks, all.
 
Do you advise I go straight for it and get a new battery?
How old is the battery? Make sure you get a really powerful battery, as the FL2 is a power hog.
Also, can anyone provide a good link to but an additional earth strap as I won't be going in to Halfords anytime soon?
I got mine off ebay. 760mm long, 25mm cross section black cable, with a 10mm ring one end, and a 6mm ring on the other end.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262583933175
 
AA man just been again and being as it would only start after about 25 efforts whilst connected with jump leads, again suggested glow plugs?

view
 
Update:
A friend replaced my glow plugs yesterday and tested them - said 3 had gone and 4th was dodgy. Fingers crossed it starts in the cold weather........must get that earth strap on!
 
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