Help! Can u solve this mystery ?

[T.Yazar]

I did not have the much time to examine the car but the relay switch is a good idea for tomorrow !

I can tell u guys It's not the glove box fuse !


Today I got the info that the car died while driving and thats why he thinks it can be a broken timing chain. He did not hear the chain rattle before ! ( no light no fault code just died ) battery is fine

How to know if the chain is oke ? ( with basic tools please )

further information coming soon

[jdstrickland]

THIS CAR IS A DIESEL.

If the engine turns over -- cranks -- with the starter, then look to the glow plugs and fuel delivery systems as the source of your headaches.

It's pretty hard to have timing chain troubles. Timing belts can be problematic, but chains are very robust. Since the car crapped out while driving, then fuel delivery is the base layer for troubleshooting.

[jdstrickland]

Don't forget, guys, this one is a diesel.

To start, it needs glow plugs and fuel. One thing to keep in mind is that it failed while driving, so this discounts the glow plugs as the problem. Fuel remains.

Out of gas. Bad fuel pump. Bad relay to power the pump. Those kinds of things.

This is not an ignition problem because except for the glow plugs to start the engine, there is no ignition.

[David.X5]

On many cars you can see the chains inside the oil cap. Don't know the Diesel engine in particular. If it died on the highway, it's not a starter problem.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

Don't forget, guys, this one is a diesel.

To start, it needs glow plugs and fuel. One thing to keep in mind is that it failed while driving, so this discounts the glow plugs as the problem. Fuel remains.

Out of gas. Bad fuel pump. Bad relay to power the pump. Those kinds of things.

This is not an ignition problem because except for the glow plugs to start the engine, there is no ignition.

If you check the OP signature and past posts ,you will see that its 3.0 I6!
Glow plugs are only activated and needed at sub zero temps for starting ,not for running.
He as either an electrical problem or fuel delivery and a full diagnostic will point him in the right direction!
My guess would be the coils failed or a EWS ,DME out of sync!

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by powers1

If you check the OP signature and past posts ,you will see that its 3.0 I6!
Glow plugs are only activated and needed at sub zero temps for starting ,not for running.
He as either an electrical problem or fuel delivery and a full diagnostic will point him in the right direction!
My guess would be the coils failed or a EWS ,DME out of sync!

OP stated in first post that its a friends car he is working on and it's a diesel, a 3.0d

And glow plugs def. work above sub-zero temps. But yeah, they assist with cold starts.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by wpoll

OP stated in first post that its a friends car he is working on and it's a diesel, a 3.0d

And glow plugs def. work above sub-zero temps. But yeah, they assist with cold starts.

Oooops,you right,I missed that
Glow plugs really come fully on at sub zero and thats when they really essential for starting and not for running(Check youtube for an X5,3.0D,still starting at -20 or so and with faulty gow plugs)
In the OP case, glow plugs are not the problem ,as from what OP says ,car suddenty shut off!

[Bayerische Motoren Werke]

Check the fuel filter. Make sure it is not clogged.
Check the battery if it has enough juice to get the car started. Also make sure you bleed the fuel system.
Maybe there is air in the system.
Also check for smell of diesel (indicating a leak where air can get in the system)
Also check that you have good fuel. I once had water in my fuel tank (Old stations tend to have condensation in the diesel fuel) cold weather will make it gel up.