TDI stops in mid sentence

**LittleMtnDisco** · 3rd July 2009, 11:20 AM

I have a '98 Disco TDI - Love it!
A couple of months ago I was traveling at 100kph and the motor just 'stopped'. Ignition lights, headlights, even the radio all on as normal. I would hardly have noticed it but for the the heavy steering wheel.

Pulled over and tried the starter, engine cranked over fine but no go.
I 'looked' at the engine for a few minutes, then hit the starter again and away she went as normal.

Since then this has occurred on about 6 or 7 occasions, sometimes while idling, or at varying speeds, once when vehicle was stopped at kerb idling in neutral with no-one aboard.

I tried turning ignition off and used fob to lock and unlock, this appeared to work once but not work on the following occasion.

Each time the engine seems to "re-set" itself within about 3-4 minutes and I can go happily on my way.

HELP???!!!!

**87County** · 3rd July 2009, 11:54 AM

perhaps it is the fuel cut-off solenoid, has it still got the original, unmodified security system ?

modify it by wiring it direct to live ignition feed

**dullbird** · 3rd July 2009, 11:55 AM

could be all manor of things

blocked filters starving it of fuel
dodgy fuel pump
crook alernator however I would imagine you would loose all your lights etc
perhaps dud battery not taking charge properly.
dodgy imobliser

I'm sure one of the experts will chime in soon and give you some more concrete ideas to look at

**Tusker** · 3rd July 2009, 12:23 PM

Happened to me in my old 200 tdi

No coughing or spluttering, just instant stop.

Which felt electrical. And there aren't too many electrics on a tdi... sure enough it was the fuel cut off soleniod connector had worked loose.

Regards
Max P

**Michael2** · 3rd July 2009, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by 87County

perhaps it is the fuel cut-off solenoid, has it still got the original, unmodified security system ?

modify it by wiring it direct to live ignition feed

If it started & ran fine, I'd say this is most likely the problem.

Look for a small wire going to the back of the fuel pump. This switches fuel off from the pump in order to shut down the engine. If the wire is loose, or the terminal corroded, it will stop your engine.

The original plug has a hard plastic insulator, so if it's loose, you may be better off cutting it and soldering in a plug with a soft plastic insulator, so you can lightly crimp up (tighten) it if it becomes loose again.

Should cost you less than a dollar all up to rectify this problem.

**LittleMtnDisco** · 3rd July 2009, 02:44 PM

I have just had a fiddle with the fuel cut-off wire and this would appear to be the symptom. Time will tell if it is the cause.

Many Thanks all round

**PAT303** · 3rd July 2009, 05:52 PM

The wire has to ''click'' onto the terminal or the connection isn't right. Pat

**Jojo** · 3rd July 2009, 07:30 PM

Do you have an automatic or a manual? The engine of an automatic will have electronic fuel injection, as opposed to the mechanical injection pump in a manual model. Otherwise the only electric component in the fuel system is the shut-off solenoid.
Symptoms like those you describe I haven't come across earlier. Failing shut-off solenoids usually prevent the engine from starting, but cutting out whilst operating is rather unusual.

**justinc** · 3rd July 2009, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Jojo

Do you have an automatic or a manual? The engine of an automatic will have electronic fuel injection, as opposed to the mechanical injection pump in a manual model. Otherwise the only electric component in the fuel system is the shut-off solenoid.
Symptoms like those you describe I haven't come across earlier. Failing shut-off solenoids usually prevent the engine from starting, but cutting out whilst operating is rather unusual.

We only get the mechanical fuel injection pump in Oz Jojo. No EDC here thank goodness

JC

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TDI stops in mid sentence

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