Renault Kangoo Won't Start: Troubleshooting Guide

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

Yesterday, I went for a ride with my friend. He drives a Kangoo Common Rail with 60 horsepower (manufactured in 2002). After about half an hour, the engine wouldn't start anymore. No matter how much he tried, it wouldn't turn over. There was diesel fuel, and the battery was fully charged. So, we called ADAC (German Automobile Club). The technician said, 'Let's try this:' He used starter spray, sprayed it into the intake manifold, and the engine started immediately and ran as usual. His explanation was that if the car is parked in a way that's not ideal, the injectors might leak and run dry, preventing them from building up enough pressure. This happens frequently. It's simply a good idea to keep a can of starter spray in the car so you can just spray it if it doesn't start.
When I asked if this only applied to the CR (common rail) engines, he said that all engines were affected, including those from the VAG group, and that it was perfectly normal.

'Tell me, are they crazy? How am I supposed to explain this to a woman who barely knows that there's an engine under the hood?'

Oh, it's running smoothly again, just like before... (mileage: 57,000 km).

Best regards, Manuel.

Hi,

I took the liberty of correcting your subject line; "Kongoo" is something else .

Are you sure about the 60 horsepower? As far as I know, there are three DCI engines in the Kangoo - a 65 and an 82 horsepower version with the smaller 1.5-liter engine, and an 80 horsepower version with the larger 1.9-liter engine, which is only available in the 4x4 model.

Otherwise, I certainly wouldn't consider that normal. As far as I know, the injectors in a common rail system are electrically controlled, and they should be off when the ignition is off. But even if that were the case... the fuel pressure in the rail should build up immediately during starting, and the engine should start.

I suspect there might be something else going on... maybe try searching the Kangoo forum: www.mykangoo.de.

He was certainly very knowledgeable back then, when I helped my father with his research for his Kangoo 4x4.

Best regards,

January.

I wouldn't consider it normal either.

Dealing with ADAC is a bit of a mixed bag. Getting a truly competent roadside assistance technician can be a matter of luck. And, unfortunately, the first thing they reach for at the company seems to be the starting fluid spray. It's more about putting out the immediate fire than addressing the underlying cause...

His statement is that if the cars are positioned unfavorably, the injectors may leak and run dry, which prevents them from building up enough pressure. This happens frequently.

Hmm, how are intact injectors supposed to drain completely? As long as there's no defect in them or in the supply lines, the fuel stays where it should be.

Work travel restriction!

I've experienced the exact same problem with my three blue fleet Kangoo vans as well.

Luckily, they're gone now.

You must be afraid of being stranded somewhere and having your car break down!

Otherwise, very good cars.

Regards,

Manuel.

Manuel Thomas wrote:

Vehicle ban! I have had the exact same problem with my 3 blue fleet Kangoo vans.

It would be news to me that a blocked immobilizer could be bypassed by using starting spray in the air intake (after which the Kangoo apparently started running again)...

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Hi,"

A "work travel restriction" is really a good thing ).

"I still don't understand why the starting pilot helped."

My father's Kangoo 4x4 had something similar before, and in that case, it was the crankshaft position sensor, but that doesn't necessarily mean the same thing here because this is a 1.6-liter gasoline engine.

Best regards,

January.

That was probably just a coincidence!

The boxes would keep triggering unexpectedly. Sometimes after 10 attempts, sometimes after unlocking them again, etc. It was completely erratic.

That was the worst part about it. And the error memory was always empty.

Regards,

Manuel.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Hi,'
Possibly, an injector has a leakage rate that is too high (leakage oil).
The high-pressure pump is unable to deliver enough fuel at the starter speed because the fuel is flowing back through the injector into the return line.
It could also be the pump, pressure regulator, or something else entirely.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'MFG' stands for 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen,' which translates to 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards' in English. It is a common way to end a formal letter or email.

Hello,

Unfortunately, I didn't have the exact engine specifications. But I think it's likely to be the 1.5-liter engine.

@Manuel

If it really was the immobilizer, that would be a very unfortunate coincidence. I find it hard to believe, especially since we had just tried it out before.

Best regards, Manuel.