P38A engine ecu

southby · Apr 30, 2022

hi i have a 2000 diesel p38 which has refused to start since last winter.
finally got it going today thanks to a thread which mentioned running an earth wire from the engine ecu (behind the battery)
my question is this. before i encountered the starting fault no wire was required and now it seems indispensible.
can anyone help me understand why?
thanks

kermit_rr · Apr 30, 2022

Sounds like a bad earth somewhere to me

tomcat59alan · Apr 30, 2022

kermit_rr said:
Sounds like a bad earth somewhere to me

+1 check the earth point on the inner wing under the front of the fuse box.

Datatek · Apr 30, 2022

southby said:
hi i have a 2000 diesel p38 which has refused to start since last winter.
finally got it going today thanks to a thread which mentioned running an earth wire from the engine ecu (behind the battery)
my question is this. before i encountered the starting fault no wire was required and now it seems indispensible.
can anyone help me understand why?
thanks

As others have said it's due to an earth fault. I suspect however it may be internal to the ECU. I have read of this mod being needed a few times but never heard of a resolution that allowed the extra earth wire to be removed. Make sure your earth wire is of a good size and leave it in place.

Mark Piercy · May 1, 2022

southby said:
hi i have a 2000 diesel p38 which has refused to start since last winter.
finally got it going today thanks to a thread which mentioned running an earth wire from the engine ecu (behind the battery)
my question is this. before i encountered the starting fault no wire was required and now it seems indispensible.
can anyone help me understand why?
thanks

Try bridging the fuel pump relay also to make sure you have a supply from the tank.
Glow plugs also.
You can check the earth's for continuity between the
battery /chassis,
chassis/engine,
engine/battery.
Do the same for the live wire.
Battery/starter,
Starter/alternator,
Alternator/battery.
This will help confirm any doubt of power and ground before actually removing stuff if not needed and saving you time.

southby · May 3, 2022

thanks to all for the feedback
will be sure to beef up the new earth
one other thing which was noted was the nanocom was unable to communicate via the obd
now all is restored

P38A engine ecu

southby

Member

kermit_rr

Very

tomcat59alan

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Mark Piercy

Well fumbled member....

southby

Member

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