diesel not starting - Help please!!!

Post by **graeme1210** » 08 May 2007, 12:55

Another week, another problem!

Everythings been fine recently until I wanted to drive the bus this weekend. Always started first time.

It's a 1.6D 1981 CS engine

Glow plug light not lighting on dash - and won't start.

Battery is fine, starter motor turns ok.

I have located the relay in the engine bay and grounded terminal L which made the glow plug light come on so this tells me either the engine temperature sensor or the glow plug relay is defeective - right?

Where is the engine temp sensor and what does it look like?

Also I do not seem to have a glow plug fuse - next to the glow plug relay is a panel with very thick wires joined together - is this where the fuse should be??

There is a loose wire (blue) which is not connected to anything but with ignition on is showing current. This has always (since I've had it) been taped up so probably not part of this issue, but should it go somewhere? There is a terminal to the rear of the block with nothing connected. (shown with the 2 red squares on the link)

I've loaded some pics http://www.your-resource.co.uk/starting.html in the hope someone can help out.

Thanks again!
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Post by **andysimpson** » 08 May 2007, 20:04

Interesting fuse that

The blue wire won't stop it starting, i can't see colours on the other wire, could be coolant temp for gauge or glow plug relay.

Does it start after you have manually activated glow plugs?
Does the engine sound normal when cranking? Faster than normal?
Check for 12 volts going to soleniod on fuel pump, this could also be the glow plug problem.

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 08 May 2007, 21:55

try shorting your glow plugs with a wire to the battery live terminal, start the van(hopefully) then disconnect the wire, a bit long winded but at least you`ll hnow if your glow plugs work

Post by **graeme1210** » 09 May 2007, 09:06

Ta!

Fuse and relay on order, will have to do some more investigating - my initial thought is the lack of fuse has probably fried the relay.

Bit of a pain really as I intend to swap the engine out very soon for a 1Y and I'm a bit annoyed to have to spend money sorting it out only to ditch the lump in a few weeks. Oh well...

Post by **airhead** » 09 May 2007, 09:20

Why are you dumping it? If its working Im sure somebody on here would take it off your hands, and it will save you having to get it dumped.

Post by **graeme1210** » 09 May 2007, 09:26

Need to upgrade the engine for more power as it just can't cut it on the hills as it is. Didn't mean actually dumping it!

When I do the swap I'll advertise it on the sale section here and see if anyone fancies it.

Post by **graeme1210** » 31 May 2007, 22:15

I still can't get it to run

I have now repalced for new:

Glow plugs, Glow plug relay, Glow plug fuse, Battery

I have also disconnected, cleaned and reconnected the gearbox earth strap, engine earth strap, all terminals.

What happens:

I turn the key and no glow plug light comes on the dash - oil light, temp guage etc do their thing, if I try to crank it also does nothing, so the starter is no longer operating (it was before but I have done nothing to it).

I am getting 12v to the glow plug fuse and out to the relay but nothing seems to be going to the glow plug bar or fuel soleniod.

It's very frustrating as I have a 1y sat at my parents garage ready to fit in but I can't get the van there.

Help please! I have AA homesart cover should I just give them a call?

Post by **R0B** » 31 May 2007, 22:23

sounds like the best option....

I have AA homesart cover should I just give them a call

Post by **graeme1210** » 01 Jun 2007, 08:55

Ta, so unless anyone has any ideas it looks like I'll be calling a very nice man then...

Post by **graeme1210** » 04 Jun 2007, 09:20

The AA man managed a temporary fix, he arrived in under half an hour and got stuck in, there was some air in the fuel line so he bled that and the fuel pump was not getting 12v on ignition.

So he ran a fused line direct to fuel pump and got it going. Reckons there is an electrical fault in ignition - maybe the key end rather than in the engine bay.

Means I have to find the fault but at least it runs again!!! Anyone got any thoughts on where to look for the fault?

First time I have had to use the AA and they were really good.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 04 Jun 2007, 15:22

AA man has shown you where the fault lies, it`s the feed to the fuel pump solenoid, so must be a problem with the wire between ignition and the pump, could be broken wire, could be a duff switch, which isn`t uncommon. Multimeter time I think.