Another td4 starting problem

Been through all the threads, but haven't found a solution yet.
I have a td4 auto, usually everything okay, no niggles or anything. Used it Sunday morning, everything ok. Used it Sunday lunchtime, took a while to start (4 goes), but then ran like a dream. Sunday night, refused point blank to start. Called out breakdown, who diagnosed faulty fuel pump by cracking open a union and remarking that fuel should be pi**ing out, not just coming out.

Had it recovered to my usual garage, who top dollar, jumped on it right away. They said they had got it running , and the only fault code was cam sensor.

Changed cam sensor this morning and cleared fault code, but still not starting. They then sprayed easy start in the inlet, and it started straight away. Since then, every time they try to start it with easy start, right as ninepence and runs like a dream. Try to start without, and it won't !

Their bosch computer threw back an unknown code fault, and it now has to go to main dealer for diagnostics (wednesday week).

The garage are unsure if it is a fuel pump problem or an injector problem, and don't want to commit to either due to the high costs involved if they get it wrong.

Any ideas anyone ??

Optimus Prime said:

Been through all the threads, but haven't found a solution yet.
I have a td4 auto, usually everything okay, no niggles or anything. Used it Sunday morning, everything ok. Used it Sunday lunchtime, took a while to start (4 goes), but then ran like a dream. Sunday night, refused point blank to start. Called out breakdown, who diagnosed faulty fuel pump by cracking open a union and remarking that fuel should be pi**ing out, not just coming out.

Had it recovered to my usual garage, who top dollar, jumped on it right away. They said they had got it running , and the only fault code was cam sensor.

Changed cam sensor this morning and cleared fault code, but still not starting. They then sprayed easy start in the inlet, and it started straight away. Since then, every time they try to start it with easy start, right as ninepence and runs like a dream. Try to start without, and it won't !

Their bosch computer threw back an unknown code fault, and it now has to go to main dealer for diagnostics (wednesday week).

The garage are unsure if it is a fuel pump problem or an injector problem, and don't want to commit to either due to the high costs involved if they get it wrong.

Any ideas anyone ??

Click to expand...

No ideas at all except that I think to remember it's been said here that it's not such a good idea of using easy start on a diesel ???

Hi, it’s a tricky one, Can you hear the in tank fuel pump running? You should hear this with the ignition on.
I had a fault on an ECU years ago with a defective battery. When cranking the engine cold the engine would draw more amps from the battery and drop the voltage, minimum operating voltage for the unit was breeched, the battery voltage would just say drop to 9V and the ECU wouldn’t operate and cause a non starting problem. It’s a long shot.
When cranking what does the voltage drop to? You could also apply jump leads to the vehicle and this might keep the voltage high enough to cover any defective battery cells. (Use your Hand Book for where to connect the jumpers)
I understand there are two fuel pumps on the TD4 one fuel tank one in the engine bay, I don’t know any more than this.

I wouldn’t think its injectors, I don’t think 4 are going to play up all at once and only on starting, (you say it runs fine once running) the ECU and sensors ore more than likely to blame. What tells the ECU (fuel computer) to fire the injectors, how does it know the engine is rotating? I believe it’s the cam sensor, The Cam sensor is picking up the position of the engine so it knows where to fire, if the air gap is too large or sensor is faulty the higher speed of a running engine might be compensating. I hope this makes sense.

The low pressure sensor on the fuel filter housing returns a voltage signal to the ECM between 0.5v and 4.5v dependent on the level of fuel pressure available within the low pressure side of the fuel system. The ECM will not operate the injectors if low pressure is detected. A check with a voltmeter could help to confirm whether all is well with the pumps and filter.

it sounds like fuel filter is blocked or one pump is u/s [normally the rear un] and it dont show up on silly diagnostics , its a basic check. . . .even an earthling could fix it

mine did same, was the injectors in the end, cost £500 to strip, refurb and refit injectors. good as gold since but very upsetting.

may not be same, can't remember how my mechanic diagnosed it - i posted it on here somewhere

here you go

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/03-td4-injector-help-please-49078-2.html

willo said:

No ideas at all except that I think to remember it's been said here that it's not such a good idea of using easy start on a diesel ???

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You are right, it is a bad idea but try saying that to someone whose vehicle won't start by any other means!

ming said:

it sounds like fuel filter is blocked or one pump is u/s [normally the rear un] and it dont show up on silly diagnostics , its a basic check. . . .even an earthling could fix it

Click to expand...

but surely that would stop it running ? Once it's started, it's a peach and runs normally with no problems, it just doesn't want to start.