P38 diesel not starting

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- If your battery died it may not start easily particularly if the starter/glows etc are also worn. You’d need to see what voltage it has running and standing to see if it’s healthy.
- glows error code may clear but if there is an issue it will come straight back. You should check they are actually getting voltage with a DVM. Sometimes it’s just a fuse.
- FiP is DIY with bit of help off here. Gasket/seal kits for it aren’t expensive. Fuel leaking out means air can get in so may contribute to non starting.
- if you get any issues with immobilisation you should plug the RF unit back in while you sort the issue.

Often with P38s it’s not one issue but a few small ones collaborating. Start with the small things you can sort yourself ‘start with the simple stuff’ as we say. The main issue is your battery ; if it’s weak it can cause all sorts of phantom errors associated with becm. Without proper electricity for the systems diagnostics should be seen as false readings.
Greetings!

This is what I found this morning as had to rush out. Drained battery down to 9.54.
got back to late to investigate. Pulled battery off so as to charge fully. Not sure if that was the right thing to do but alas, no choice.
 

Attachments

  • IMG20240124095459_Original.jpeg
    IMG20240124095459_Original.jpeg
    387.8 KB · Views: 69
  • IMG20240124095506_Original.jpeg
    IMG20240124095506_Original.jpeg
    367.4 KB · Views: 68
Low battery volts may have caused loss of sync between the BECM and the EDC which will need diagnostics such as Nanocom to fix.
Rimmers are expensive IMO, I prefer Island 4 x 4
Got it and thanks for info….Need to see why battery Superbatt went dead as original was the Bosch from old owners and it was bad….that’s when the first saga started. I think I will need to sort the BecM EDC first, because as it is going I can’t tackle the fuel issues until the battery stays solid and no more drain.

I am fully, flummoxed and appreciate all of the help given by all of you! 😀
 
Got it and thanks for info….Need to see why battery Superbatt went dead as original was the Bosch from old owners and it was bad….that’s when the first saga started. I think I will need to sort the BecM EDC first, because as it is going I can’t tackle the fuel issues until the battery stays solid and no more drain.

I am fully, flummoxed and appreciate all of the help given by all of you! 😀

Could be RF drain if you have the original RF receiver and not the gen 3 one.
 
Could be RF drain if you have the original RF receiver and not the gen 3 one.
So much goes back to RF….but from previous forumadvice I had unplugged the blue dot and for 2 months it had behaved…..perhaps it’s a summer only. Need to sort just so I can get on with why it’s not starting…examining glow plugs and first injector. Is therea place to source injectors that are not £200ish?
 
So much goes back to RF….but from previous forumadvice I had unplugged the blue dot and for 2 months it had behaved…..perhaps it’s a summer only. Need to sort just so I can get on with why it’s not starting…examining glow plugs and first injector. Is therea place to source injectors that are not £200ish?
Why do you need to change the injector?
 
So much goes back to RF….but from previous forumadvice I had unplugged the blue dot and for 2 months it had behaved…..perhaps it’s a summer only. Need to sort just so I can get on with why it’s not starting…examining glow plugs and first injector. Is therea place to source injectors that are not £200ish?

Unplugging reduces the range but doesn't eliminate the problem. If funds are tight plug it back in and use @brianp38dse second jog-fob trick.

As said, more likely just the leak off pipe than the injector itself. It pools around the injector and then runs down.
 
I’ve had the battery on charge for about 8hrs today and was only up to 3/4 charge just now. Will check in the morning. I had tried the jog fob setup that Brian had mentioned but black (neg) wire in and out and then orange for power. It did not work….so probably got it wrong.

I’m going to also check leak off pipes, as suggested, so perhaps, I’ll just renew them.

if glow plug needs change, is there one that is a good choice?

THANKS!
 
Low battery volts may have caused loss of sync between the BECM and the EDC which will need diagnostics such as Nanocom to fix.
Rimmers are expensive IMO, I prefer Island 4 x 4
Island 4x4 are OK if you know what you want but it's now no longer possible to speak to them by phone if you have a question or if you have a problem with a delivery. Rimmer Bros are great if you do need to discuss exactly what part you need as they are very knowledgeable.
 
Back
Top