We have just bought a 2001 Space Wagon 2.4 GDi Equippe a few days ago, seemed like the best mpv we could find for the money.
Yesterday my wife phoned and said it wouldn't start, but it started while she was on the phone to me, so she went to Cheshire Oaks with the kids, did her shopping etc. After shopping it started and she went to the petrol station, filled up, but then it wouldn't start.
Had to call out the recovery people and had it towed home. The mechanic said he thought it might be the immobiliser or a fuel problem, but didn't really know.
I fiddled around with it last night.
When the ignition is turned on there was a strange noise coming from the back of the passenger side of the engine bay, hard to describe really, either electronic or liquid like strange noise. Maybe the electrics aren't making the fuel pump work properly or something? When I turned the key further the engine just turned over without starting.
Anyway, after trying it a few times it cleared itself. The strange noise turned to the normal clicking you get as the (fuel pump)? primes and the engine then started. After that it started 4 times, no problems.
I tried it again this morning and it started fine. I was thinking maybe some dirt blocked the fuel pipe or something and had cleared itself.
My wife tried to go out just now and it wouldn't start again. It is making that strange noise again when the ignition is turned on, the engine turns over but won't fire.
The noise seems to be coming from some sort of pump? It has 4 metal pipes coming out of it (RF, LF, RR, LR) and has an electrical box on the back. It seems to be this part, but maybe there is another part near to it or connected to it which is the problem? Can anyone identify what this part is? And/or what is causing this problem?

hello, this weekend the same thing happend to me, do you repair your car and where is the trouble

Sory for my bad english

It turned out that the connector to the fuse box was corroded, had water in it. Maybe somebody steam cleaned the engine bay in the past. Anyway I had the connector by passed with crimps & now all is fine.

the box with the pipes is the abs unit.....
makes a self check when u turn car on

I drive a 2000 model 6 seater japan made mitsubishi chariot grandis. Until i read your comment i thought the noise is normal. Everytime i tun on the key it makes some noise as if its pumping something. Lucky enough i have owned the car for now 6 months and it has never refused to start but am worried by the noise may be it will die one day or refuse to start all together.