Saxo won't start!

  1. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #1
    Hi guys! (Sorry this post is so long)

    I bought a 2003 saxo 1.1 desire a few months ago and it gave me no problems at all. Then it had a problem with misfiring cylinders. The last time I had her on the road she was sometimes only running on one cylinder and then it would be fine for a while.
    The next time I went to start her, she would turn over but wouldn't start. I checked everything. The battery is brand new and I replaced the coil pack. She still wouldn't start. I also tried to bump start her, nothing! And jump start her and still absolutely nothing.
    I got her towed to the garage and they replaced her spark plugs, replaced a wire to the starter motor and replaced a few other broken wires.
    £350 later and they decided they didn't want to work with her anymore!
    They've put it down to her needing a new upstream oxygen sensor and 3 of her 4 cylinders misfiring.

    The garage I put her too seemed as though they had no idea what they were speaking about and sounded as if they had just guessed what was wrong with her.

    Do you guys think this sounds legitimate? Or have any other suggestions as to why she's not starting?
  2. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #2
    Hmmm, smells like an earth problem maybe, anyone else?

    Double check everything at another garage. If they can't work on a saxo, I wouldn't trust them. Also had my share of dodgy fuckers.
  3. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #3
    It was even a Citroen garage but it was all trainees working on her! They were more interested in getting spare parts off of her!
  4. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #4
    Yeah right, run away

    I have past experience of a lady friend asking me about her car running on 3, turned out the brand garage half cut a coil wire and disguised it. Then they have you running in circles.
  5. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #5
    Like I said, have it double checked, earth and coil pack, check the air flow, I mean everything that was supposedly "done". Could be they charged you for a shitty coil pack, or even blocked the air intake pipe (seen that too). Anyways it does sound to me like you got ripped off I'm afraid.
  6. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #6
    I knew they were speaking rubbish. They started mentioning the ECU and how it was knackered, although there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. The saxo keeps trying to start, the ecu is absolutely fine! Also when I got the car back from the garage, they had left the air box off and they left a pair of wire cutters in the middle of the engine!
    Definitely not going back there again!
  7. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #7
    I changed the coilpack myself. Although it was one off of another saxo.
  8. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 510 MK2 VTS
    #8
    You've been blagged up a treat, I'd be burning that dealership down. I trust very few garages now and certainly not dealerships lol..
  9. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #9
    This garage used to be good but it's full of trainees who have no clue what they are doing! I could of done everything they did to her on my own!!
  10. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 510 MK2 VTS
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by HannahScott View Post
    This garage used to be good but it's full of trainees who have no clue what they are doing! I could of done everything they did to her on my own!!
    Even the additional damage?
  11. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #11
    They did actually set her on fire 3 times! Haha
  12. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by HannahScott View Post
    They did actually set her on fire 3 times! Haha
    And 3 times is funny,as in alarm bells not ringing?
  13. L-plater Joined: Sep 2011 Buckie Posts: 42 Saxo Vts / Vtr Parts for sale P.M me.
    #13
    Check all wiring, how about crackshaft sensor? I had similar problem with my vts, sometimes would run then wouldn't start, was a broken crankshaft sensor wire...?? Located behind thermostat I think on right hand side of engine block, 2 wires into a blue plug I believe?
  14. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #14
    I have had a look and all wiring seems fine. I will double check the crankshaft sensor! Thanks
  15. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #15
    What was the different diagnoses?
  16. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Morpeth Posts: 2539 BMW 116d Regional Toner Sales Edition
    #16
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by serghneroff View Post
    Truck turns over but wont start. I have replaced the battery and alternator. The starter was replaced last year. Spark plugs have been replaced and so has the serpentine belt. A "mechanic" gave me 3 different diagnoses which have all been addressed except for the timing chain but I didnt hear any rattling while it
    idled. Any suggestions?
    Are we to start making guesses as to what sort of truck it is?

    You mention it's chain driven, so I'm plumping for an F150?
  17. L-plater Joined: Nov 2014 Posts: 68
    #17
    Maybe your used coil pack is faulty too?
  18. Newbie Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 9 Saxo 1.1 desire Audi R8 v10+
    #18
    Could be. Although I changed my coilpack to one from another saxo and still nothing!