Quilkyn

Quilkyn

Member
Hello all,

I have been experiencing an intermittent problem - at fuel levels lower than 1/2 a tank sometimes the vehicle will start but cut out or will turn over but not start. I suspect a fuel pressure problem but caused by what?

On topping up the tank the vehicle will eventually turn over and start. Unfortunately the other day the battery finally gave up the ghost - to be fair it was probably long overdue. I fitted a brand spankers new, fully charged battery but now it won't start at all. I get all of the usual indications, glow plugs, radio 2 etc but just a solenoid click and nothing.

Incidentally there is also an audible spraying noise under the rear drivers side of the bonnet when the fuel system is priming - is this to be expected? Or could it be a symptom of the overall problem.

Any ideas and advice as ever gratefully received.

Regards

Q
 
Can you hear the fuel pump working when it fails to start? If you don't it could be a faulty pump or power supply to the pump, you say it stops when it gets below half full, I've seen it before where the pipe on the pump splits halway up so doesn't suck in fuel when it's too low. And also the seat box can corrode and underneath the drivers seat where there is an earth stud this can get a dodgey earth due to corrosion try putting a jump lead between the earth stud and the negative terminal on the battery, if this does help put a wire from the stud through the grommet on the seat box to the side of the gearbox where's there's other earths bolted on.
 
Thanks ed - the fuel pump does work even on a fail start, Split pipe sounds promising as does the earth issue. Unfortunately vehicle is in works car park so I will have to check on Monday.
 
seem to be two problems here
1. it wasnt very clear but as i understood it clicks but doesnt crank now?... if it's so then it's deffinately the starter solenoid...easy fix with the repair kit

2. i'm 90% certain that a new fuel pump is needed...even if you hear it working IMO you hear just the low pressure stage of it as the high pressure stage is gone
 
Clicking from the starter but no crank is defo the starter solenoid. As said get a repair kit and change the solenoid contacts. Its a simple job which anybody can do.

Spraying noise may be air inside the fuel lines and FPR. Have you got puddles of fuel underneath the motor? If so itsd a leak if not then air is getting into the fuel system.
 
Thank you. About to sort out starter. There is oily fuel under and around area so I think you may be right. Hopefully I will be able to start her when starter is sorted and I'll deal with the fuel issues when I strip he down to fit a new chassis.
Thanks for the help.
 
Starter probably just gave up due to the difficult starting.

The bleed valves in my fuel filter housing were causing me problems for a while with intermittent starting problems and cutting out after starting with fuel starvation.
Then took the non-return valve out and solved the problem but when left run below half-way in the tank or nearly empty, it could be hard to get it going too and starter gave up then.


If you have a fuel leak in the engine bay, it's probably the FPR but otherwise I'd check the little valves in filter housing as they are cheap and easy to replace.
 
Cheers Dave - Concur with the starter issue, Still wrestling with starter removal as vehicle is in a relatively awkward location and I am trying to avoid having to have it recovered somewhere more convienient.

Thanks for the tips on fuel issues - hopefully i'll be able to dig a little deeper once the bleeder starts and I can get it into a nice, relatively warmer barn.
 
Dear all,

Following on from my last post...

... I have actually now replaced the whole starter motor assemblyfor various reasons.

Still no joy. All dash lights and indications including glow plugs etc? just a click when key is turned fully.

A few thoughts...

A bad earth somewhere? - if so if somebody can point me to a handy guide to locations of earth straps/earthing points and any advice handy hints.

Starter relay?

Fuse?

Clearly diagnostics which I can do myself, but unfortunately Landy is in works car park so being able to go and sort it out with some form of action plan would be good - security get a bit ansy of you start doing too much work on vehicles in the carparks.

:confused:

Regards

Q
 
is it a loud click from the starter solenoid of a weak sound from the relay? ...it's important to know that...then we can go further...you should have checked the starter "live" before fitting it cos if the click comes from the solenoid and the starter is new it could be some mechanical issue as the flywheel is jammed ... put a voltmeter on the battery and see where the power drops whne you turn ignition...if it's a greater drop it means that the motor gets the feed but can't turn... if no drop it means the positive lead from the battery to the motor is interrupted as the starter is earthed via fixing

leave it in gear and push it few feet then try again
 
Last edited:
Apparently the something was jammed. After giving it a good shake and rolling it about in great fit a few turns she starts. Now safely ensconced in a barn in the early stages of chassis change.
 
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