Just washed the car (by hand - no hose pipe) the battery was disconnected, reconnected the battery and the main beams came on straight away and there was a faint hissing sound, tried to start the car and it said "Car security"
So I thought, must be a drop in voltage so il wack the jump start on. Jumped the car no problem however the main beams would not turn off.

Quick trip round the block, took the key out only to have the engine still running

Finally stopped so I thought I would re start the car (had the problem before but replaced the battery and all was fine) once again, wouldn't start so I jumped it a second time. Same headlight problem. Left it to run for a few minutes only for the cab to smell like burning! Tried to turn the engine off but the key just came out, frantically pulled the negative but the car still ran! Pulled the positive and still running. Had no choice but to deliberately stall the car. Smoke pouring from the engine (not battery) which may have smelt plasticky but not sure

Bit afraid to start it now so what should I do? Any idea's on cause/solution?
Just for reference: 3 door 1.9jtd 02 plate

Many thanks,

Mike

The lights staying on after washing the car is likely to be caused by water in the grey engine fuse box and/or D4 connector.

Only way the engine could continue to run without battery power, is if it was running on engine oil, i.e. a runaway.

What speed was the engine running without the battery connected? Usually with a runaway, the engine gradually increases speed until the flywheel exits through the side of the gearbox.

Okie dokie, well I've tried to dry the grey box out so hopefully that'll be dry by Monday.

The car was idling when the battery wasn't connected.

What do you mean by running on oil? As in the motion of the car keeping it going?

What can I do if it happens again?

What could be burning do we think?

Thanks for the help

mikeday1991 said:

Okie dokie, well I've tried to dry the grey box out so hopefully that'll be dry by Monday.

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If water has got into the fuse box, you will probably need to seperate the two halves of it to completely dry it. Be careful if you seperate it. All the fuse and relay connectors inside it can fall out.

mikeday1991 said:

What do you mean by running on oil?

What can I do if it happens again?

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The JTD engine needs electrical power to pump fuel from the tank to the high pressure mechanical pump on the engine, and to open the injectors to allow fuel into the engine. Without electrical power, no diesel can get into the engine. The only other fuel available would be engine oil in the sump which can be drawn up past the piston rings into the combustion chambers to enable combustion.

If it happens again, the only way to stop it is to stall it, as you did. If that doesn't stop it, then run.

mikeday1991 said:

What could be burning do we think?

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It's possible that as you disconnected the battery while the engine was running, the alternator was still providing electrical power to the fuel pump and injectors. However, without the battery connected, the alternator output voltage would have risen considerably and may have caused wiring damage somewhere. Check for burning smell at the alternator and burning damage to the engine wiring.

thats a weird 1 neva heard of this b4 lol. Hope you get it sorted. Question tho y did u disconenct the battery b4 washing the car?

ramborobert said:

thats a weird 1 neva heard of this b4 lol.

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Google "diesel runaway" there's lots of examples.

Driver of this BMW didn't have a clue what to do. Another driver stopped and stalled it for him.

Aih up guys and girls!

Sorry i never updated this thread - went back to the car 2 days later. Everything was fine

I love this car!

Done 2000 miles since so one would assume it was just water in the electrics.

ramborobert said:

thats a weird 1 neva heard of this b4 lol. Hope you get it sorted. Question tho y did u disconenct the battery b4 washing the car?

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I disconnect the battery every night, I love the car but dont trust it to discharge itself over night!

mikeday1991 said:

I disconnect the battery every night, I love the car but dont trust it to discharge itself over night!

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Save yourself some hassle and install one of these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BATTERY-ISOLATOR-SWITCH-Master-cut-off-Race-Rally-4x4-/350399766642

Davren said:

Google "diesel runaway" there's lots of examples.

Driver of this BMW didn't have a clue what to do. Another driver stopped and stalled it for him.

BMW Engine Crash - YouTube

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Love how it was a Fiat Marea/Palio Weekend driver that stopped to help. Oh yeahhhh

mikeday1991 said:

Aih up guys and girls!

Sorry i never updated this thread - went back to the car 2 days later. Everything was fine

I love this car!

Done 2000 miles since so one would assume it was just water in the electrics.

Click to expand...

mikeday1991 said:

I disconnect the battery every night, I love the car but dont trust it to discharge itself over night!

Click to expand...

God. I'd wanna make doubly sure the wiring is all coushtie after the little episode it had. Not sure i'd ordinarily disconnect a battery every night, but in the case of your car, i probably would

Sounds like you washed the engine bay? Why bother! Best protection for the engine bay components is the oily residue, keeps the dreaded salt water at bay. Clean covers and pipes with a rag by all means, good way to check for faults but I wouldn't wash one myself. You seriously need to have the alternator checked though and all its wiring. An overload could have seriously damaged it. Check the timing belt too.

Next time don't wash the engine bay at all. Never. The car has a lot of very sensitive electronic equipment that is likely to fail in case of any rain or damp. Lucky for us they are pretty reliable and don't get destroyed that easily.

If the engine bay needs to be washed, take off the covers, wash them as much as you want, then only wash the metal parts of the engine with a moist rag, avoiding all electrical wiring as you go.

I have heard people getting faults even by pressure washing the inside of the wheel arches so yes, very sensitive.

Your relays were shorted and didn't shut down, that is why you couldn't stop the engine. Everything is automatic.