2001 Eurovan GLS difficult to start now wont start

[Gruppe B]

Hello Everyone,
My 2001 Eurovan has been difficult to start for the last week. Either hot or cold it takes around 2 to 3 cranks before it catches. The Starter turns over fine.

On Friday the van was idling outside waiting to load everyone for a trip when it turned off. No bad noises, it just stopped running.

When I went to restart it would only turn over but no catching at all.

I have had the check engine light on and knew that the timing chains probably need to be replaced, just didn't have the time to take it off the road for a month to pull the transmission and replace everything.

Here are the codes from VCDS

Saturday,10,March,2018,17:10:50:03298
VCDS Release 18.2.0 (x64):  Generic OBD2
Mode 03: Emission related fault codes

Address 10 (Engine): 7 Faults Found:
P0340 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G40): Malfunction
P0345 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G163): Malfunction
P0346 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G163): Implausible Signal
P0030 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B1 S1: Heating Circuit: Malfunction / Open Circuit
P0135 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B1 S1; Heating Circuit: Malfunction
P1296 - Manufacturer specific code
P0341 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G40): Implausible Signal

Address 1A (Auto Trans): No fault code found.


What is the likelyhood that the Cam Position Sensors are causing this and not a jumped timing chain?

[Scottn59c]

Cam position sensor codes are a telltale sign of an imminent timing chain replacement.

It sounds like it's time to bite the bullet and do the timing chain.

http://westy-werks.com/blog/2013/01/29/attention-all-eurovan-owners/
_________________
Farfignewton!

[Gruppe B]

Understood, I'm just trying to postpone the inevitable. I'm in the far north where my Vanagons are hibernating until May....

I need this van running until then when I can get it indoors and fixed.

[Gruppe B]

Has anyone had cam position sensors fail on their own causing a no start issue?

[Scottn59c]

[Gruppe B]

Is there a way to quickly check the chain condition then? I want to make sure that the chain hasn't already broken or something.

I don't hear any wierd noises when I try to start it if that is any indication.

There is no way I'm doing this job in an open driveway in the winter, I have my limits.

[Gruppe B]

I'm guessing the first point of action should be a compression test of each cylinder to see if they are holding compression (no bent valves).

Is this correct?

[Abscate]

Probably simplest way to check for bent valves, yes
_________________
.ssS!

[Gruppe B]

Ok I'm going to get the compression testing done by Tuesday.

If all passes, I'll need to decide if I just remove the transmission or the engine and transmission combined.

It sounds like taking the transmission out by itself is pretty bad since the engine has to be tilted downward to get the right clearance.

To be continued...

[streamr]

[BUGSTUFF]

Replace your Camshaft Position Sensors first, clear your codes and see what happens.
_________________
Kirk

Northeast IL VW Association - www.nivaclub.org
www.facebook.com/nivaclub
Volkswagen Club of America - www.vwclub.org

[Gruppe B]

Thanks for the help everyone,
I've ordered the 2 camshaft position sensors and the temp sensor to clear the P1296 - Manufacturer specific code.

As soon as the parts are in from Europarts-sd.com, I'll install and update

Cheers
Gruppe B

[marklee]

the worn timing chains will throw the sensor triggers on the engine ever so slightly out of time. This will show faults on all cam position sensors. its rare for all to fail at the same time. IMHO your only option is to renew the chains, replacing sensors will be futile
_________________
CGLI qualified body repair and refinish tech
CGLI qualified motor repair tech
Qualified automotive Glass installer
Motor Insurance Repair and Research Centre,Thatcham, Advanced Vehicle Damage Estimator.
Police qualified vehicle examiner
Police Class 1 High performance, pursuit trained Advanced driver

[Gruppe B]

My concern is that the vehicle is not running anymore and doesn't show the misfire codes that are prevalent with an engine really out of time.

Doesn't the Camshaft Position Sensor act as the Hall Effect Sensor controlling spark? A failed hall effect will definitely not allow an engine to start.

My question is what is causing the engine not to run? I don't think it's the chains as I did not hear any terrible noises when the engine shut off by itself.


we'll see what happens,
First check, change Camshaft Position sensors
Second check, compression, all cylinders
Third check, remove valve cover to see chain condition

[TDCTDI]

Jumped timing or broken chain usually doesn’t make a lot of noise, when you remove one of the cam sensors, have someone crank the engine, if the cam doesn’t turn, save the money on compression test and send the sensors back.

Does the engine sound different when cranking? When the valves bend & there’s no compression, the engine spins faster.
_________________
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.

[Gruppe B]

[Gruppe B]

Lots of varnish on the upper Camshaft postion sensor.

Good news, maybe. The cams are still spinning in the head. I filmed a video so that I could see what was happening when the engine turned over.

I'll pull the other sensor and clean it up as well. Then try and start it up again.

[Gruppe B]

Both sensors were really filthy but not sure if working or not.

When both were disconnected, tachometer was still receiving a signal (needle bouncing) so they are not acting in the same way as the Hall Effect Sensor on the WBX Vanagons and early Eurovans.

Senders should arrive in the next few days, then if that doesn't work on to compression and valve cover.

[Gruppe B]

I started a compression test tonight.

Cylinders 2 and 4 only show 80psi cold. Ran out of time to check the rest...

Looks like bent valves. Yay...

Might purchase a leak down tester to fully confirm but don't have a good reason why such a low compression number than damaged valves.

[TDCTDI]

The engine might have jumped timing enough to allow valves to not seat completely on a compression stroke, bent valves will usually result in no compression, so you still might be lucky...ish.
_________________
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.