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Full Version: Non starting issue, fuel pump not priming a cause?
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Not sure what section to put this under as it could be fuel, engine or electrical but here goes..

I have only had my D for a short time but she has always started ok when cold (sometimes needing a couple of goes but always tries to fire first time) and every time I have turned the key I get the sound of a couple of clicks from the relays a and a whirl/hum from what I assume is the fuel pump priming. This has always primed on first start of the car.

I have had a hot-start problem for a while, in fact I have been waiting for a slot to get Chris N to take a look, suspect fuel regulator.

Anyway I was out the other day for a drive with the Mrs (the first time she has been in the car!) and we took it to a local pub. We wasn't there long and on return I had the usual job to start her, 4 or 5 attempts until she fired.
We decided to head back but the Mrs wanted to 'pop' into Tesco for a couple of bits on the way.

I decided to wait outside and, to avoid any embarrassing not-being-able-to-restart issues decided to leave her running.

Then she conked out.
I immediately tried to start her again but to no avail. Even leaving it for nearly an hour.
In frustration I called my insurance to sens someone who could only offer a recovery back to the unit we store her in.

Hoping she would cool down and I would be able to start her next time I went up today but she still wont. The only thing different I noticed is that I don't get the priming noise when I turn the key.

I checked the fuses in the box for the fuel pump and ecu but it made no difference.
My battery seems nice and strong and I think i have plenty of fuel in.
It had a new fuel pump and sender fitted with the previous owner only a year ago.

The fact she just stopped in the car park makes me think it could be more electrical?

Ironically it was supposed to go to Chris this week but he pushed me back to next Wednesday, but now it's stranded at the lockup and I need to get her starting again so I can make the journey there!!

Any advice or help greatly appreciated!
Must be something about living near Cambridge, Simon had a similar problem recently: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5375 and also saw you in Tesco's!
Anyway you need to try jumping the RPM relay as as start to see if the pump runs then go from there.
Worse case join the AA/RAC (but AA is better) and get the car transported to chris's (I can get you cheap cover BTW)
If it wasnt for the fact I'm working all weekend I would offer to pop up and have look, but I think your right probably electrical.
Chris
Thanks Chris

Yes, this part of the world is getting crowded with D's, I know of another in Haverhill as well!

I will take a look today at the RPM relay and see if I can jump it for a test as well as check for bad connections, looks like that was ultimately was Simons problem.
I was thinking of joining the AA but have breakdown cover with Hagerty Insurance, though the bloke they sent out to me spent no time trying to fix it and only wanted to recover. Is this the correct link to use: http://www.theaa.com/patrol/80483
does the £29 include the 40% discount?
Just an update:
I went down again today and tried jumping the RPM relay and the fuel pump comes on and she fires straight away!
So I am thinking maybe bad RPM relay?

Then I remember seeing a new looking green relay in the glove box, it appears to be the same type as the old relay but when I try it it goes back to not firing. Here's a pic of it alongside the original pulled one:[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
I have contacted the previous owner to see if he can shed light on the spare and if it is indeed new, failing that I need to check with a known good working one.

If it's not the relay what else should I look at? I had a look at my ballast connections as Simon had a problem with loose fitting wiring on his that ultimately cured his no-starting but they appear good and secure on mine.
I read on a DMCTalk thread though that the lower left pin in not supposed to have a wire connected to it but rather the upper right should have two on it: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4674-h...#post66379
I don't want to mess about swapping wires when it worked fine before though!
Quote:I was thinking of joining the AA but have breakdown cover with Hagerty Insurance, though the bloke they sent out to me spent no time trying to fix it and only wanted to recover. Is this the correct link to use: http://www.theaa.com/patrol/80483
Yes that's correct, but the price goes up on Monday I believe to £39.99 though your also getting 15 months membership for the price of 12! That's how most of the Insurer provided breakdown services work, I'm not knocking that because at the end of the day that's all most of us want to do is get home! I have sent you a 'PM' as well.
Quote:I know of another in Haverhill as well!
Really? you will have to let me know the owners details
Chris
As I offered to Simon, I have a spare RPM relay (untested) and a good one from my car should you wish to try them. As I wrote in response to Simon's problem there is a problem with 'duff' RPM relays around as well.
Chris
Hi Chris

I may take you up on your offer if that's ok, be nice to eliminate if it's the relay or not.

When is convenient for you?
'PM' sent
Just as an update, tried Chris's spare relay yesterday and it fired up straight away so looks like it was definitely that.
I am going to order a solid state one from Dave M in the states I think -seems like a good upgrade and the exchange rate is very favorable at the moment. Heck I may order several things 8)
TheScAtMaN Wrote:I am going to order a solid state one from Dave M in the states I think -seems like a good upgrade and the exchange rate is very favorable at the moment. Heck I may order several things 8)
I have a few of Dave's products installed on my car, namely his rpm relay, idle computer, fan fail relay, and fan relay for the moment. Nice guy to deal with, his stuff is top notch, and he fully supports his products should they develop any defects.
Quote:Just as an update, tried Chris's spare relay yesterday and it fired up straight away so looks like it was definitely that.
Thats great news, as I let you know I did get to try it on mine before I went away and it did start but that was as much testing as I could do. I have had a lot of emails and read a lot of coments about faulty RPM relays being sold. Or perhaps there just very old with bad solder joints? who knows. When your sorted if you could drop it back in the post to me please :wink:
Chris