2004 TD4 - Spins over but wont fire.

Hi Everyone,

I did have a good search in the forums before posting this but cannot seem to find anyone with exactly the same problem that I am having.

My 2004 94kmiles TD4 Manual 5 door suddenly stopped working 2 days ago.

I had been using it all day and it had been running fine, then it just wouldnt start up. The engine span over fine, but after repeated attempts it just would not fire up. It didnt even try to fire up.

All dashboard lights looked fine and there were no error lights showing up.

Last night I took the cover of the Petrol pump (behind the drivers seat) and reseated the electrical connectors (with a dash of WD40). I also removed both fuel lines and diesel was coming out (not under pressure though).

After trying again the engine did have a very half hearted attempt at starting but then just went back to just spinning over. It was almost as if there was just a tiny drop of fuel in one of the bores.

Also, the fuel pump does not make any noise when you turn the ignition on so I am guessing that this is the culprit ?.

Has anyone had the same issue, and /or is this a known problem ?

Ive had to leave the car where it broke down (around 50miles from home) and will be going back this Saturday to try and fix it.

Any advice greatfully received

Thanks

If it's a TD4 the fuel pump in under the o/s/r wheel arch in a plastic housing with the fuel filter.

When you turn the ignition on you should hear it primimg, if not give it a tap with a hammer. If nothing, fuel pump is FUBAR

.. and /or is this a known problem ?

Click to expand...

seems to be an known issue with the td4 .. and other 'common rail' diesels ..
probably connected with the quality of diesel fuel these days ..
i.e. it seems to effect the whole system .. from the l.p. pump thru to the injectors ..

check out the 'helpful info' menu at :
Diesel Bob Tuning - Home

Depending on the age of you TD4 it may have either an in-tank LP pump with a secondary LP pump beneath the filter in the engine bay or as pardec says a pump under the plastic in the wheel arch.

If you have the in-tank pump which is part of the sender unit then it's likely given up as they are prone to doing on the TD4. You can try stripping it and cleaning it (messy job) which is what I did or purchase a new one. Pricey if you buy genuine but there are chaeper options on ebay etc.

There are lots of threads on this issue and it is worth reading up on them first to see if you can safely diagnose the pump as faulty first before splashing out on a new one.

Hi Guys - many thanks for the responses ! much appreciated.

I can confirm that the pump is in the Tank (I got to it by unscrewing a round plate under the rear offside seat).

I did also have a look under the car and in the rear wheel arch for a pump, but could not see anything (it was dark though).

I will try the "tap with a hammer" first - my favourite tool in the toolbox.

otherwise its ebay time...

cheers

Don't forget to try the fuel cut-off switch under the bonnet. Has been know to trip on it's own and worth a few presses to see if it's that.

Is the fuel cut off swicth easy to find ?

Also, Ive just been reading through some other threads here regarding fuel pumps and I do remember seeing a black plastic cowling under the rear wheel arch that sounds like the wheel arch fuel pump cover ??

Is it poissible to have one under the wheel arch and one in the tank ?

cheers

Fuel cut-off switch is on the right hand side of the bulkhead (as you look at it - battery side) with a red rubber top to it.

Not sure but I think if you have a fuel pump under the wheel arch then that is the only one and there won't be one in the sender unit in the tank.

Thanks again !

Really appreciate it.

As far as i know if your vehicle is a 04 you only have one pump in the wheel arch.

It looks like I have (wrongly) assumed the pump was in the sender unit in the Tank.

It is in the wheel arch and I will be tapping it with a hammer tomorrow in the hope that it fires up again.

Cheers

If it's not the pump it could be the camshaft sensor if the problem exists on a warm start. This is located close to injector 1 on top of the head.

Or, as mine was when this sort of thing occurred a while back, a failed injector that was leaking back badly. The problem occurred hot or cold though.

It's 99% sure it's the fuel pump. Confirmed by it's silence!

Buy a genuine LR one or you'll be doing the job again in a couple of months.

Mine failed at 86K

Whacking it is a very temporary 'get you home' fix only.

Dirty job changing it due to the location that gets blasted with crud.

Plenty info on here - you need to remove the off-side rear wheel to get good access.

Change the fuel filter at the same time - its in the same black plastic housing.

Cheers,

Singvogel.

thanks singvogel !

Im about to go and try and retrieve my landy now.

Hammer to get it home and then strip it down and replace fuel filter.

Quick Update if anyone is interested....

When I retuned to the vehicle last weekend the first thing I tried was pressing the fuel cut-off switch under the bonnet and the car fired up straight away !

I have to say though that I didnt hear or feel anything when I pressed the cot-off switch so I was unsure whether this had actually fixed the issue.

Either way I see this as a sure sign the the pump and filter need changing so I am going order and fit a new one anyway.

thanks again everyone.