Starting problems once again

[kanapleselis]

Hello,

there are lots of threads on this topic, but i feel like those problems are a little different so i hope You'll help me

just bought 2004 megane 1.5 dci and few days later the problems started
Sometimes it starts at the first try. But most often it takes 3-4 tries. The starter is working and is turning the engine (i guess as the car is shaking ) but nothing happens and it doesn’t even “try to swing” – the starter just keeps working but the engine doesn't "grab". I try to lock/unlock the car, insert/remove the card and so on. If it starts it starts immediately after pressing start and no other problems occur (no stalling, cutting off, etc.). As i only have one keycard i can't test it with another one (i thought maybe it could be the immobilizer as i don't know anything about the car yet). Can it be the tdc sensor (does diesel motors have them) or any other common problem?
Sorry for the grammar

[kanapleselis]

So as i understand the tdc sensor in 1.5 dci is submerged in the cooling fluid in one of the pipes (acording to the french manual). Am I right? If so, it propably doesn't have the same problem that the petrol ones have (like metal dust etc.) ? Maybe you have some ideas what could be wrong with my megane?

[Jonault]

I think something has been lost in translation. The TDC sensor is held in place by two bolts and is located at the top of the bell housing where it meets the engine block. It is hidden by pipes that run over the top of the bell housing so it's location isn't obvious at first glance.

[kanapleselis]

I don't know how to attach pictures so i can't show you what i mean, but what i understand from the pictures is that what you mean is the sensor for petrol engines, for diesel ones it is different. Or am I wrong? In the manual the petrol tdc sensor is shown on top of the gear box and it is exactly how You describe it, but for K9K engine (1.5 dci) it is shown completely diferent.

[terry_mccann]

Can it be the glowplugs not heating when starting??? is it different when car is warm?

[kanapleselis]

So I took the car to the dealer and they did diagnostics. All they found is that something is wrong with the position of the timing belt. I asked them about the tdc sensor and they said that it causes problems mostly with petrol engines. As I just recently bought the car I have to change the belt anyway, so hopefully it will solve the starting problem.