1995 2.4L diesel T4 Transporter does not start

[pjstock]

But I think this is the fuel shutoff solenoid.
and it does test at 11.v (I think my battery is a little run down from all this experimenting. Though I did use a backup battery 12.5v to try to start it yesterday, but no luck.)

[TDCTDI]

Yes, that is the solenoid. With the ignition on, disconnect the lead & reattach it, you should hear a click.
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[TDCTDI]

Just out of curiosity, what have the temperatures been like?

If it has been warm & the vehicle has been slow to start But suddenly doesn't start if the temperatures have dropped, then you might need glow plugs or you may have a failed glow plug relay or fuse.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[CdnVWJunkie]

Yes, we are into proper Fall season now. A hard frost 2 nights ago. With enough cranking any healthy IDI should start.

I have found that even if you hear clicking at the solenoid that does not definitively mean it is opening and closing properly. I would suggest loosening one or two fuel injector fittings at the injector(s) and see if you get good pressure when the engine is spinning over (with the starter). if it only dribbles out then you have an issue with fuel delivery, either fuel cut off solenoid or injection pump. That solenoid is a common one, most any diesel service shop should have one on the shelf.

[pjstock]

Ill disconnect the injector luel lines again tomorrow, but more fully. And will see
if there is good fuel pressure.

Peter

[pjstock]

Temperature wise we are in to 40 to 55F range thia week.

[Abscate]

I didn’t even have to glow plug my 1.6D in 60 F weather
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.ssS!

[TDCTDI]

[Abscate]

Get you battery up to full charge (use a voltage/temp charge) before you continue trouble shooting. A diesel needs a healthy glow and a good spin to get going in colder temps.

When it would hit -20F in Ithaca, I would keep the battery on trickle overnight, glow for 45 seconds, no cold-start knob, and crank for about 15 seconds before I got the very satisfying smoke screen out the rear view.

11 VOlts at the solenoid is a huge drop from the battery - find out whats up there.
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.ssS!

[pjstock]

I did not get a gusher this morning. really more of a trickle.
I'm stumped.

[TDCTDI]

How accurate is the fuel gauge?

Unlike a gasoline vehicle that sends a flow of fuel, the diesel IP only pumps the amount of fuel that is needed for each cylinder to fire so it's only going to pulse a bit of fuel every two revolutions of the crankshaft. This is why I suggested to only crack the line open, this provides enough back pressure to give a telltale squirt.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[pjstock]

the fuel gauge has proven reasonably accurate to date.
the tank is now topped up completely.

[Abscate]

If your pump is worn to the point of where it pumps air, you need a new pump

How many miles are on the pump?
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.ssS!

[TDCTDI]

[pjstock]

It's been suggested that using a spritz of ether in the air intake to quickstart the engine could narrow the causes (A) starts and keeps running = bad glow plugs B) Starts and then stops = bad fuel supply)

But apparently this is a bad idea (possible explosion?!) if the glow plugs are actually heating up. suspect my glow plugs are bad (hence the Crank NoStart problem documented here) but I would like to be sure they are disabled.

Is there a fuse that controls power to the glow plugs? or a relay that I could disconnect before trying the quickstart.

[Abscate]

I’m not a fan of ether in diesels.

Google “dieselrunaway “ first. 😮
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.ssS!

[TDCTDI]

Never use ether, you can damage the engine.

You can hold a rag with a bit of gasoline on it in front of the intake but whatever you do, DO NOT let it get sucked in, the engine WILL run away.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[pjstock]

well what's done's done. hopefully one shot is not the end of the world.
she seemed to run well once up and running.
i'll try the rag with gas next time.

[Abscate]

YIkes - well done!!

If it started and then ran fine with one shot of ether, i would guess your glow plugs are out.

Diagnostic there is much safer, starting with looking for 12V at the glow plug with the key on.
_________________
.ssS!

[pjstock]

I had 12v at the glow plugs I could access.
but I could not test continuity without removing the plugs (though one fellow suggested testing Amps on the cable the powers the glow plugs. if they each draw about 10amps then 5 x 10 = 50amp reading would suggest all the plugs are good. I haven't done that test yet.)