I've found my fuse box but can't find the relays? 

Just for a bit of clarity I was changing the glow plugs, started it up heard a popping noise, now it won't start just clicks. 

11 minutes ago, Nerff said:

Just for a bit of clarity I was changing the glow plugs, started it up heard a popping noise, now it won't start just clicks. 

 

For even more clarity, are you saying the running engine just stopped with a popping noise and now won't restart and just clicks?

1 minute ago, sepulchrave said:

 

For even more clarity, are you saying the running engine just stopped with a popping noise and now won't restart and just clicks?

No when I tried to start it, it popped, the engine hasn't actually restarted. 

Have you checked the strip fuses on top of the battery? 

Yup that's what I'm doing at the moment, they all look OK but I gotta be honest I don't know what I'm looking for. 

8 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Have you checked the strip fuses on top of the battery? 

 

Can you stick a photo up? Got a multimeter?

 

I've took the first wire off, no multimeter unfortunately. 

I think the little green plastic bits may hinge open to give you a view of the metal strips?

5 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

I think the little green plastic bits may hinge open to give you a view of the metal strips?

Yeah they're all in tact, thanks by the way

Why all the missing fixings? The wire you've taken off, and all the missing nuts on the plate behind the fuses will need to be there for things to work right.

Yeah I was just trying to work it out they're all back on now. 

OK, I think the glow plug control module is probably near the battery too, have you found that? Follow wires back from the plugs, via a 14-way connection near where the battery earths onto the body, I think.

1.4 TDI should start without glowplugs working. "Just clicks" - does this mean that the engine is not turning over on the starter? If it isn't turning over, are the lights on the dash lighting properly, and do they dim when the key is turned to the starter position? Did you disconnect the battery when doing the glowplugs - i.e. distrurbed the battery terminals?

 What happens to the headlights if you have them on and turn the key to the starter position.

Edited 17 July, 20223 yr by KeithCheetham

It sounds like the battery has gone flat somehow...

26 minutes ago, KeithCheetham said:

1.4 TDI should start without glowplugs working. "Just clicks" - does this mean that the engine is not turning over on the starter? If it isn't turning over, are the lights on the dash lighting properly, and do they dim when the key is turned to the starter position? Did you disconnect the battery when doing the glowplugs - i.e. distrurbed the battery terminals?

 What happens to the headlights if you have them on and turn the key to the starter position.

Right, yes I've had the negative cable off the battery. The engine is not turning over at all. It basically trips the electrics when I start it, all lights go out on the dash. If I take the battery wire off and put it back on they all light up again, no dimmer than normal, even when it's turned to the starter position, just when I turn to actually start it clicks and all the lights go out. 

The battery is flat, charge it up overnight.

Sounds right.

OK I'll charge it up and see how it goes. Thanks all

A flat battery will hinder progress on solving and resolving starting and other electrical issues, a good battery in a good state of charge with all connections clean and secure will help progress on solving and resolving starting and other electrical issues.

 

Do bear in mind if the battery going flat isn't a sudden thing but a longer term problem then if the battery or its charging system is weak it makes the other work harder, sometimes wearing the other down so the rectification or replacement of one can still leave the other weakened.

 

Well this morning started fine after a battery charge  however a few things aren't working, namely front windscreen wipers, indicators, although hazards are fine, and the dash is lit up like the lights are on, when they're not. 

Take a photo of the fusebox,  then inspect the fuses one at a time, making sure they go back in the right positions if intact, as per your photo. #44 is for front wipers.

Thanks found out when I'd been checking my fuses before I put one of the small ones back in the wrong slot! My own stupidity, but it's all done now, wipers and indicators working and car starting, thank you to you all! 

I wonder what made the pop noise that you reported? I assumed you were going to find a very blown fuse somewhere to account for that. 

Honestly no idea, gonna take it to a garage to get it checked over.