Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,
This van has always started first time, everytime, until the other week. I use the van regularly and on this particular occasion had just driven down the road to collect something. On getting back in, it turned over strongly but wouldn't fire up.
The AA man happened to be a T25 owner but sadly couldn't sort it out. He checked the sparks and they all seemed to be in the right place and the right time but still no joy. The garage who I took it to, spent a good few weeks searching (£450 later..) and admitted that without access to the wiring diagrams they were now beginning to search a little blindly. They in turn took it to a Bosch engineer who whilst trying to fix it, got it started by accident and returned it. Not a lot of use, as they admitted to not fixing anything - but i think they wanted it out of their workshop.
In the end I drove it back (this was the van's 3rd successful start since the palava began) and now it is sitting out front, not starting.
A reliable VW mechanic told me that it was a frequent issue with the 2.1's as they had ICU's and ECU's and it required an electrics expert to look into it...but it could become very pricey.
Any top tips would be greatly appreciated and traded for beer if we ever meet face to face.
thanks

hi
just been through this exact same problem myself but now fixed!! (and btw a personal thanks to steve at gasure and aidan for their advice which helped me fix my problem) .... frustrating isnt it!! is it dj or mv/ss?? slightly different wiring and diagnostics.

it could of course be any number of things and working through the diagnostics in the bentley manual should rule out some things and suggest others, so look at the simple things first ...but... do you have power to the fuel pump and/or idle stabilisation valve when you turn the ignition?? (can you hear the pump buzz briefly and does the idle stabilisation valve vibrate??).. i am guessing not, but if they are fine ignore the rest of my post! .. if not, check the 2 relays feeding the fuel pump and the ecu located in the black box on the lhs of the engine bay. there will be power to pins 30 (at the top of the relays) as they are fed from the alternator and starter motor and you have already said it turns over well, but are the relays being switched when you turn the ignition?? (can you hear a click when someone turns the ignition). since you say there is spark, there is also voltage to the coil so i am assuming the coil is ok. if there is no click at the relays then my guess is either the black wire from the coil is not providing sufficient voltage to switch the relays (ie broken wire/connection or corrosion inducing too much voltage drop) or one of the relays is suspect, or the earthing points in the lhs engine bay need looking at ..

but it really could be a multitude of things, and i am sure others will be along with some alternatives..

good luck ..

d.

Thanks for the swift and useful reply.I was recommended a mobile auto electrics chap who was really good and had the wiring diagrams so finally determined that the ECU doing some, but confusingly, not all of it's work. It's able to receive the pulse and but not do a lot with it. As a result, the relays know they need to work and make all the relevant noises but the message isn't getting through to the injectors. He recommended a company that service ECU's so I'm going to see if they'll touch this one...if not, it looks like I'll be on a hunt for a 'digifant'.
thanks again for your advice.
P.

I have the same trouble with my DJ today. started up this morning and run OK but alternator light stayed on. As I was only going a very short trip I thought the new battery would get me there and back. Gradual misfiring till eventually packed up.Would not run on petrol or lpg so assume electrical. RAC man thought fuel problem so towed me home a few hundred yards. Could it be the alternator earthing some ignition circuit, hope not the ecu. will replace the alternator to see if that cures it.