Hi,

Am a new starter to this, but happy to get hands dirty. I have recently acquired 1989 90 2.5TD (123K miles). Having a problem with her stalling intermittently. Can be when starting, or can be when rolling along in 4th, or anywhere in between. Can go several journeys with nothing happening and then, like this morning, it can happen consistently for 15 minutes.Engine just dies and battery light comes on. No stuttering or spluttering, just stops. Engine fires OK when re-starting (so there must be fuel there), then stops.Recent new battery if that matters, but this issue overlaps new and old battery.

My thoughts:

Unlikely to be fuel pump or dirty filter etc, because it isn't consistent? am I right?

Thinking solenoid, but don't know if solenoids have straight line failure - ie do they either work or not, or can they fluctuate?
Which leads me to thinking it is a dodgy connection between the ignition and the solenoid that is responsible. Which worries me, because whilst happy to spanner bash I am scared by vehicle electrics!

Experience/ views welcome: need to try and fix this weekend.

Thanks

Nothing?

I ran the engine and wiggled the spade connection to the solenoid, no effect. So any ideas?

rabid spaniel said:

Nothing?

I ran the engine and wiggled the spade connection to the solenoid, no effect. So any ideas?

Click to expand...

Could remove the plunger and see if it still stalls

Have to stop it in gear though.

And......could be a dirty fuse

Dirty fuse? Not even considered that. So find the correct fuse and give it. Rub? Simple as that?
I'm still concerned it might be some sort if fuel issue, but I'll be damned if I can how & where.

check out stop solenoid in inj pump, remove plunger if necessary to test.

Solenoid works. No probs with fuel (that I can find); but interestingly I nudged the indicator when running the engine and it stalled, tested same again - stalled. So I assume a short somewhere around the steering column: having taken off facia etc for a look I have absolutely no idea how to progress with the chaos of wiring.....

Any ideas?

Just to close the loop on this: turns out it was the ignition lock assembly, so worn that everything turning on/off regardless.
Have new one and she's running like a dream (and I finally have 2 ignition keys!)

Thats a coincedence, mine did exactly the same after i fitted a new ign switch to solve a different problem. Loosened the cowl and moved it around a bit and its been fine since. Bonus having 2 keys though