VW T5 won’t start

[DerryW]

Did you mean AXD? And Is it possible to die penetrant test the injector galleries to check for cracks before removing the head?
If you're not familiar with DP testing.

 

[DerryW]

It's not releasing fuel through the injectors so the immobiliser isn't allowing it. The rest is just $h1t diagnosis and changing stuff until they fluke it.

dunnah01:

Thanks for your input. Like you, I still suspect the immobiliser. That was one of the 10 questions I put to the VW Technician (over 20 years at VW) he said “if there was a problem with the immobiliser it wouldn’t turn over”

The fact the immobiliser has played up randomly for a couple of years makes me think this had something to do with it.

The other thing I haven’t been able to get my head around is, the van had been acting absolutely normal, in the days before Ron had used as he always has done (this is Ron’s only means of transport) on the day in question it first started like it away has done. It only been switched off for c20mins when Ron went back to it and it failed to start. The rest is history as they say.

The firs professional person to attend to it at Ron’s home and carry out a diagnosis said the injectors were not synchronising, and he suspected a timing issue, but both the garage at Cambridge and the VW dealership where it currently is have both ruled out timing. Anymore ideas please

Thanks Derry

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Haven't seen glow plugs mentioned yet, about the only other thing I can think of.

 

[DerryW]

Haven't seen glow plugs mentioned yet, about the only other thing I can think of.

The engine was warm/ hot when it failed to start. So I assume it wouldn’t want help from the glow plugs
Thanks Derry

 

[L' Hobo]

dunnah01:

Thanks for your input. Like you, I still suspect the immobiliser. That was one of the 10 questions I put to the VW Technician (over 20 years at VW) he said “if there was a problem with the immobiliser it wouldn’t turn over”

The fact the immobiliser has played up randomly for a couple of years makes me think this had something to do with it.

The other thing I haven’t been able to get my head around is, the van had been acting absolutely normal, in the days before Ron had used as he always has done (this is Ron’s only means of transport) on the day in question it first started like it away has done. It only been switched off for c20mins when Ron went back to it and it failed to start. The rest is history as they say.

The firs professional person to attend to it at Ron’s home and carry out a diagnosis said the injectors were not synchronising, and he suspected a timing issue, but both the garage at Cambridge and the VW dealership where it currently is have both ruled out timing. Anymore ideas please

Thanks Derry

No, I don't understand that one either, if the fuels, compression, and timings okay, the only thing left is electrical (if it was a fiat I would say check the earth strap) but that should have been picked up by diagnosistics?

IF it was me at this stage, and I definitely wanted to keep the vehicle for sentimental reasons, I would buy a running second hand replacement engine and keep the other one for multiple, nearly new, spares. ( To be honest, I would have done that months ago.)

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[L' Hobo]

The engine was warm/ hot when it failed to start. So I assume it wouldn’t want help from the glow plugs
Thanks Derry

Modern glow plugs are not just used for cold starting these days, that the reason why Fiat drivers will often see the symbol flashing for up to 20 seconds on their dash.

 

[mitzimad]

you need a good scanner someone who knows that engine and to run live data to see whats working

 

[Landy Andy]

if there was a problem with the immobiliser it wouldn’t turn over

I don’t think that statement is correct.

 

[B+W vanman]

Has it been demonstrated that diesel is actually being injected into the combustion chambers?

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Don't they just do a leak off test to test fuel at the injectors and fuel flow.

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[B+W vanman]

Don't they just do a leak off test to test fuel at the injectors and fuel flow.

I wonder if proving fuel reaches the injectors means that fuel is being emitted from the injectors?

 

[dunnah01]

The fact the immobiliser has played up randomly for a couple of years makes me think this had something to do with it.

The engine should turn over and may even start for a couple of seconds although this may not happen due to the lack of fuel in the system due to the injector and pump works. I'd be asking the garage to reprogram the RFID chips in both keys to the new ECU before taking anything else apart.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I haven't worked on vehicles for 40 years, but I have spent most of my working life diagnosing faults, often after several other people have failed. Two thing I have learned over that time.
First thing, always check as much as possible especially the little things, earth leads, connections etc. do not accept anything but perfect readings
Second thing, do not assume that because you had replaced a part, that new part is good. It takes nerves to tell a customer, who has waited days to get their heating working, that you think the boiler still needs the same part you have just fitted. I have had this more than once.

 

[Landy Andy]

I doubt if they know if fuel is being injected it’s the cylinders. I think they know fuel it going to the injectors, and they know the injectors work. But it is more difficult on these type of injectors as you need them to be operated by the cam, and triggered by the ecu.

 

[B+W vanman]

I doubt if they know if fuel is being injected it’s the cylinders. I think they know fuel it going to the injectors, and they know the injectors work. But it is more difficult on these type of injectors as you need them to be operated by the cam, and triggered by the ecu.

So if the injectors are not actually functioning, even though they are not faulty, that would explain why the thing starts when a type of fuel is delivered via the air intake, but not otherwise?

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[Landy Andy]

So if the injectors are not actually functioning, even though they are not faulty, that would explain why the thing starts when a type of fuel is delivered via the air intake, but not otherwise?

Currently that is my thoughts/guess. I would like to KNOW that fuel is being injected into the cylinders. Then the next thing is check timing of the fuel delivery.

 

[DerryW]

Has it been demonstrated that diesel is actually being injected into the combustion chambers?

B+W
Apparently that’s not possible with the AXD engine.

 

[DerryW]

Currently that is my thoughts/guess. I would like to KNOW that fuel is being injected into the cylinders. Then the next thing is check timing of the fuel delivery.

Andy

I have asked VW to check the injectors with an oscilloscope, whilst the injectors will be opening, that doesn’t necessarily mean fuel is being delivered into the cylinder bores.

It looks like the tech is now on holiday until after Christmas.

 

[dunnah01]

Andy

I have asked VW to check the injectors with an oscilloscope, whilst the injectors will be opening, that doesn’t necessarily mean fuel is being delivered into the cylinder bores.

It looks like the tech is now on holiday until after Christmas.

More likely that fuel is being delivered to the injectors and compressed by the injector cam but the immobiliser isn't allowing the ECU to open the injector to deliver fuel into the cylinder.The injectors work at battery voltage so fairly straight forwards to see if there is any voltage fluctuation during cranking to at least rule out immobiliser

 

[Odd-no-more]

The injectors work at battery voltage so fairly straight forwards to see if there is any voltage fluctuation during cranking to at least rule out immobiliser

Back in the very distant past, when I was diagnosing cars with a Crypton tuner, I put a pin through 12v wires to check for power with a multimeter

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[dunnah01]

Back in the very distant past, when I was diagnosing cars with a Crypton tuner, I put a pin through 12v wires to check for power with a multimeter

I think that's still the easiest way but a decent DC clamp meter is a kinder way if you can separate the wires

 

[glastry]

I have not read all the posts, so just one simple question, what happened when you tried a towed start?
Again my apology for such a dumb question.

 

[DerryW]

Modern glow plugs are not just used for cold starting these days, that the reason why Fiat drivers will often see the symbol flashing for up to 20 seconds on their dash.

I have not read all the posts, so just one simple question, what happened when you tried a towed start?
Again my apology for such a dumb question.

Hi glastry

We never tried a tow. Probably because it was spinning over like a good’n

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

We've done that, not on modern vehicles but definitely had vehicles would not fire up and run given them a tow and they've fired up. Don't forget when cranking a engine over they never reach the cranking speed of when being towed I have to admit it's worked a few time's.

 

[gus-lopez]

“if there was a problem with the immobiliser it wouldn’t turn over”

News to me? All I have had dealings with crank even when the immobiliser light is on

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[glastry]

Hi glastry

We never tried a tow. Probably because it was spinning over like a good’n

I am a wee bit surprised at that --- let us know after it has been tried,!

 

[glastry]

I am a wee bit surprised at that --- let us know after it has been tried,!

The difference between towing and the starter motor can be astonishing!
After that I have a few suggestions! Good luck

 

[chatteris]

had a word with a mate this morning he said if you are not careful putting the injectors in you can damage the seals that they pass through and cause pressure loss so it wont start,