Diesel starting problems!

CharlesY said:

This is a sure sign of poor "engine-to-chassis-to-battery -ve" connections.

The voltage at the solenoid tag is going so low the thing is shutting off. You might want to take the solenoid stopper out and check it over, It may be on the way out, and they do fail, usually in the "Engine STOP" condition.

A separate "switch from live" is not a good solution and may not do any good.

Ideally, what is required is a really big fat earth cable bolted to the engine block with a BIG tag, all nice and clean, going right to the negative post of the battery.

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Ruari said:

Thanks for input CharlesY. Will get old cable removed and a replacment made. And take it from there.

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Ruari said:

Back to this old problem.
I have since read the 2.25d in the series, that the ignition switch shuts off power to stop solenoid when cranking. So ignition switch not suitable for the conversion of a 2.5na.

If it was always a diesel engine Landy that should not happen.
I suggest the wiring is incorrect.
The Stop Solenoid terminal should always be live 12 volts in any Ign Key position except OFF.


Any how, rebuild near complete. Not yet put the front wings on till eng runs. Starts ok when towed. But won't sit at idle nor will it start from key.

Those are separate problems. Idle MUST be set ONLY by the little lever than leans on the fuel OUTLET on the top front of the pump. Make sure the pipes are fitted correctly - the pipe from the filter fits to the rear end of the DPA pump. The union at the front is the fuel RETURN. If these are fitted wrong way round engine will be a bummer to start but would run after a fashion.


I found the cold start screw head was missing and thus weeping.

What cold start screw are we taking about now?
Are we speaking about a 2.5 NA Sherpa 15J engine or an old 2.25 diesel?
Maybe you are involved with a BLEED SCREW?


( at some point during rebuild it did start from key) Since then I made a new cold start screw as per another forum post. This i can not find again.


Not understood if this is a 15J engine Injection pump.

How do you set up cold start & idle on the Lucas CAV??

Click to expand...

Ruari said:

Back to this old problem.
I have since read the 2.25d in the series, that the ignition switch shuts off power to stop solenoid when cranking. So ignition switch not suitable for the conversion of a 2.5na.

Click to expand...