P38 DSE engine cut CEL illuminated

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J

julesf

New Member
Posts
8
Location
Eastleigh Hampshire
Hello Fellow P38 Victims :p

New fault for me today:rolleyes:

Driving along in third about 30 Mph all of a sudden complete engine cut.
cruised under engine braking, looked at the dash CEL was on steady. Started to look for a place to pull over which meant going over the kerb and onto a grass verge so as not to block the road. As I got onto the verge, the engine started running again and the CEL went off.

Been out in the car lunch time for food ;-) warning work colleagues that they may need to send out someone to pick me up :) but the car ran perfectly no issues.

So not sure what to do now, don't want to get stranded, but need to use the car.

Just wondered if this was common and if there is any parts I could carry in case it fails on the road, I could try a roadside fix.

I'm thinking Crank Sensor, so I have one in the car with the correct allen key, but not much point in changing unless it fails permanent and I can prove I found the fault.

Any help appreciated.

Regards,

Jules.
 
Crank sensors on the verge of death usually play up once they get hot. Upon cooling they often work until getting hot again. Then they die.

My first suspicion would be electrical. P38s don't respond to weak batteries or faulty charging systems.
 
West Slope Rover said:
Crank sensors on the verge of death usually play up once they get hot. Upon cooling they often work until getting hot again. Then they die.

My first suspicion would be electrical. P38s don't respond to weak batteries or faulty charging systems.
Click to expand...

Hi, Thanks for the response, I reckon could be Crank sensor, Battery is good as is charging system, car runs and idles smoothly, so either loose connection, or component on it's way out I guess. Wouldn't fancy finding a loose connection in that wiring system :mad:

Do you know if the ECU would have logged an error at the point the CEL lit, would this be there if I got a diagnostic check?

Thanks,

J.
 
julesf said:
Hi, Thanks for the response, I reckon could be Crank sensor, Battery is good as is charging system, car runs and idles smoothly, so either loose connection, or component on it's way out I guess. Wouldn't fancy finding a loose connection in that wiring system :mad:

Do you know if the ECU would have logged an error at the point the CEL lit, would this be there if I got a diagnostic check?

Thanks,

J.
Click to expand...
I drive a '93 LSE. On it the CEL can come on and not register a fault nor affect the performance of the car, or will only register one after a series of "soft" faults. If it made the car drive wonky, it may have registered.
 
Could just be some water or dirt in the fuel? I had same symptoms and pulled my hair out trying to track down the fault. Then I filled up at the same pump at the same garage after some rain and the same thing happened and the penny dropped.

There's a water trap at the bottom of the fuel filter.

J
 
Could be as above but also could be a glitch in fuel quantity servo feedback. Best to put it on daig and see if any fault codes have been generated. If ECU detects no feedback from quantity servo ELAB is dropped to stop engine.
 
Grrrrrr said:
Could just be some water or dirt in the fuel? I had same symptoms and pulled my hair out trying to track down the fault. Then I filled up at the same pump at the same garage after some rain and the same thing happened and the penny dropped.

There's a water trap at the bottom of the fuel filter.

J
Click to expand...

Thank you, thats very useful information.

I have to say, it has not happened since, but feel nervous driving the car as feel it may just stop at anytime. Like a single engine Pilot, I am constantly scouting for emergency landing sites (or parking places) in case of engine failure, so as I can pull over and not block the road. Wouldnt fancy pushing it too far.
 
wammers said:
Could be as above but also could be a glitch in fuel quantity servo feedback. Best to put it on daig and see if any fault codes have been generated. If ECU detects no feedback from quantity servo ELAB is dropped to stop engine.
Click to expand...

Ok, again great info, FQS, is that the injector with the feedback sensor fitted?

ELAB ? is that the modulation signal to the pump?

Abbreviations, frigging pilots Lol :D

Yes need testbook or similar to check for codes.
 
julesf said:
Ok, again great info, FQS, is that the injector with the feedback sensor fitted?

ELAB ? is that the modulation signal to the pump?

Abbreviations, frigging pilots Lol :D

Yes need testbook or similar to check for codes.
Click to expand...

ELAB is a German acronym for the Electric fuel shutoff solenoid valve. Nanocom will do it if you know someone with one for the diesel. :D:D
 
wammers said:
ELAB is a German acronym for the Electric fuel shutoff solenoid valve. Nanocom will do it if you know someone with one for the diesel. :D:D
Click to expand...

OK, no wonder couldn't work that one out, was kinda thinking in English :D

OK will see what happens, There is a fairly local garage that will connect diagnostic for a reasonable fee, so can go there.

So far, fault not reoccurred.

Thank again for all posts.

Jules.
 
julesf said:
OK, no wonder couldn't work that one out, was kinda thinking in English :D

OK will see what happens, There is a fairly local garage that will connect diagnostic for a reasonable fee, so can go there.

So far, fault not reoccurred.

Thank again for all posts.

Jules.
Click to expand...

Aggravating not knowing what caused it though. Good name by the way only the best are called that. Unless it's a derivation of Julian that is. :D:D
 
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