P38 diesel automatic stalls when cold

parranger · Jul 13, 2015

My P38 Diesel Auto stalls from cold but settles down when temperature reaches normal running. However, it does stall on occasions at road junctions etc. I have a hot start fitted and removed this to check for any changes but the problem still persists. My car is used mainly for short journeys and was wondering if this could be causing problems. The gearbox snatches when engaging reverse could there be a problem with the auto-box? I have tried revving the engine holding the car in gear with brakes hard on for a few seconds and there does seem to be a slight improvement . I had a problem with a broken electrical plug lead from the No 4 injector this was repaired and am wondering if the leads have been reversed. Would the car still run if this was the case?
On another post regarding the stall issue there was a mention of a temperature sender issue. Would this show up on a computer check?

Datatek · Jul 13, 2015

parranger said:
My P38 Diesel Auto stalls from cold but settles down when temperature reaches normal running. However, it does stall on occasions at road junctions etc. I have a hot start fitted and removed this to check for any changes but the problem still persists. My car is used mainly for short journeys and was wondering if this could be causing problems. The gearbox snatches when engaging reverse could there be a problem with the auto-box? I have tried revving the engine holding the car in gear with brakes hard on for a few seconds and there does seem to be a slight improvement . I had a problem with a broken electrical plug lead from the No 4 injector this was repaired and am wondering if the leads have been reversed. Would the car still run if this was the case?
On another post regarding the stall issue there was a mention of a temperature sender issue. Would this show up on a computer check?

Needs diagnostics, could be engine ECU temperature sensor of fuel quantity servo or FIP temperature sensor. What year is the car? does it have and EGR valve?

Grrrrrr · Jul 13, 2015

Check the lift pump is working properly too. Test is in the How To section.

Datatek · Jul 14, 2015

Grrrrrr said:
Check the lift pump is working properly too. Test is in the How To section.

Good point

Grrrrrr · Jul 15, 2015

Datatek said:
Good point

Wouldn't want to be caught that way twice.

parranger · Jul 24, 2015

Been away and having difficulty with this new site!
Thanks for the advice so far. Car is going in for some diagnostics next week so your advice may help to resolve the issue.
The car is 2001 and it does have a EGR valve. Had a new in tank pump fitted about a year ago. The car runs OK when engine is at operating temperature the stall problems arise from a standing start. Could the in tank pump be a cause of the stall issue?

Retrospaceman · Jul 24, 2015

On my old DSE pressing the "Sport" Button would help from cold as it advances the fueling for longer and engages the lift pump. - not helpful if it is the lift pump thats busted.

After the first time of replacing the pump I cut a hatch in the boot floor so I wouldn't have to drop the tank for future replacements.

I also had the odd problem of the car cutting out and stalling at speed which was only solved by rebuilding the injection pump.

A fuel non return valve on the low pressure feed of the injection pump also improved matters considerably.

tomcat59alan · Jul 24, 2015

parranger said:
Been away and having difficulty with this new site!
Thanks for the advice so far. Car is going in for some diagnostics next week so your advice may help to resolve the issue.
The car is 2001 and it does have a EGR valve. Had a new in tank pump fitted about a year ago. The car runs OK when engine is at operating temperature the stall problems arise from a standing start. Could the in tank pump be a cause of the stall issue?

What make of pump was it, if it was a ****part pump you did well to last a year. Check the output, do a search if we still have that facility on this new fangled site

Grrrrrr · Jul 24, 2015

Retrospaceman said:
A fuel non return valve on the low pressure feed of the injection pump also improved matters considerably.

That's a valid point. The old pumps had a non-return valve. Your later one shouldn't need it but it might be worth adding one in.

wammers · Jul 25, 2015

Stalling is usually a problem with the quantity control servo. Diagnostics needed to find out what is going on.

P38 diesel automatic stalls when cold

parranger

Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

parranger

Member

Retrospaceman

Well-Known Member

tomcat59alan

Well-Known Member

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Similar threads