I have a 2001 diesel SX, 96,000 miles. I started having problems when the engine would not restart after a short run, until an hour later, when it would restart as normal. This happened a few times. Then it cut out twice in traffic during short town journeys. Now it won't even start. I think it's the in-tank fuel pump. There is current going in when the ignition is turned on, but no noise of a pump running, and no diesel drips when the pipes are disconnected at the top of it. Now I cannot get the pump out because of the lack of grip points! Is it going to be that pump that is the problem if I know that there is electrical current getting to it? When the pump does pack in, does it 'falter' occasionally like mine did? What are these 'rumours' that the diesel doesn't have a pump in there, and that it is sucked through by the engine injector pump? I don't want to just go out and buy a new pump unless I'm a bit more confident that is the problem.

MichaelLeonard said:

I have a 2001 diesel SX, 96,000 miles. I started having problems when the engine would not restart after a short run, until an hour later, when it would restart as normal. This happened a few times. Then it cut out twice in traffic during short town journeys. Now it won't even start. I think it's the in-tank fuel pump. There is current going in when the ignition is turned on, but no noise of a pump running, and no diesel drips when the pipes are disconnected at the top of it. Now I cannot get the pump out because of the lack of grip points! Is it going to be that pump that is the problem if I know that there is electrical current getting to it? When the pump does pack in, does it 'falter' occasionally like mine did? What are these 'rumours' that the diesel doesn't have a pump in there, and that it is sucked through by the engine injector pump? I don't want to just go out and buy a new pump unless I'm a bit more confident that is the problem.

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hi, what engine..??

look here for some more info;http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi...INDOW_ID=1&KEY=HOME&EPER_CAT=SP&MAKE=F&SBMK=T

Charlie

Thanks Charlie, I'll check out those links. It's a 1.9D SX (not the turbo). I'm assuming the pump should operate if power is getting to the terminal above the in-tank pump??? Does it mean that the pump/motor is therefore duff?
Thanks

MichaelLeonard said:

Thanks Charlie, I'll check out those links. It's a 1.9D SX (not the turbo). I'm assuming the pump should operate if power is getting to the terminal above the in-tank pump??? Does it mean that the pump/motor is therefore duff?
Thanks

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the petrol spec pumps have a filter built in..,
it's possible the filter is blocked and the pump can't cope..,

charlie

I'd considered pumping clean fluid from a can as a test..
maybe reversing pump polarity to "back-flush"

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk1...mbly-replacement-punto-1-1-spi.html?p=4174303

info now added

Simple test of you know you have power and ground lie under vehicle and get someone to turn on ign as they do give the bottom of the tank a damn good thump of you hear the pump buzz up after hitting it pretty good chance it's toast

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I managed to get the in-tank 'pump' out, and found that it doesn't have a pump in it - it is just a fuel level sender. The extra cable, although live - is a dead end. They're obviously using the same 'structure' as the petrol. As a reminder, mine is a diesel, non-turbo.
Anyway, I cleared the filter, but still stalls after about 30 minutes. I connected a transparent tube between filter and injection pump, and there seemed to be air getting into the system. So I fed a direct feed (with in-line filter!) from a fuel can to the injection pump, and another for the return pipe back into the fuel can. No more air bubbles, but still cuts out after 30 minutes. Thought it might be temperature cutting it out (although the fan had never come on, and it is not excessively warm in the expansion tank - no hissing or bubbling when releasing the cap). I pulled out the ECT sensor, and this got the fan working immediately, and idled OK again - but cut out after 30+ minutes again. When disconnecting the fuel pipe (between filter and injection pump, there was still some bubbling as air seemed to be hissing (back and forth?). Still does not restart until the engine has cooled down. Or as I now think is the case - not until any air locks have escaped from the pump/injectors! I've ordered a new fuel filter valve which looks like the seals are 'worn', and the one-way valve doesn't seem to be functioning. I can blow through it in both directions! Am I barking up the right tree?

Hi,

I would suspect your one way valve.

John.

The new fuel filter valve is a lot better fit, and I have more confidence that it is making a good seal on top of the filter. But the engine still cuts out after 15-20 minutes - and the fuel filter is still 'emptying'. Did it again with a transparent hose from filter to injector pump, with good connections and no air bubbles visible. Stopped again, although the pipe was still full of diesel, with no air passing through. Thought that maybe the diesel isn't being lifted from the fuel tank, so led a feed from a fuel can to the fuel intake pipe on the filter (from above engine height). Ran until all the fuel had been pumped/drained from the fuel can (because I didn't have the fuel return pipe feeding back into it!). Tried again but it stopped with fuel still in the pipe. Checked the fuel filter, but it was empty. Why?

Is the crank signal present when it cuts out.?

Have you got to the bottom of this yet as I have the same symptoms. It will run on the drive for 25 minutes, then cuts out. Won't start for 5 minutes, then will start and run for 20 minutes before stopping.

It's almost like it is using all the fuel present in the filter, then dies when that is used, and then a vacuum effect happens pulling a bit more fuel into the filter, so that it will start again.

Any help or advice greatly received

Rimbo said:

Have you got to the bottom of this yet as I have the same symptoms. It will run on the drive for 25 minutes, then cuts out. Won't start for 5 minutes, then will start and run for 20 minutes before stopping.

It's almost like it is using all the fuel present in the filter, then dies when that is used, and then a vacuum effect happens pulling a bit more fuel into the filter, so that it will start again.

Any help or advice greatly received

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petrol..? ,
or diesel..??

what age..

maybe MichaelLeonard has got a solution,

charlie

Hi Rimbo. Its sounds like the same problem. If it is, don't touch any of your fuel connections! It's the crankshaft pulse sensor (CS1097 - £14.22 delivered to your nearest Argos on e-bay). When the engine warms up, it cuts out the engine (probably by cutting fuel supply - hence the absence of fuel in the filter. The sensor is difficult to find and get at, but I was able to replace myself(and I'm no mechanic!). It's at the back of the engine, well hidden. Let us know if you need help identifying it. Good luck

Hi mate, photo of the sensor and location would be cool. I'm actually thinking of selling it on at the moment as I haven't got the skills (even if it's simple) to put her right, and she has never put a foot wrong which is sad ?

Rimbo said:

Hi mate, photo of the sensor and location would be cool. I'm actually thinking of selling it on at the moment as I haven't got the skills (even if it's simple) to put her right, and she has never put a foot wrong which is sad ?

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where is the vehicle based..?

Charlie - Oxford

Hi,
Even if you don't have the skills, it not an expensive job for an independent garage to do. Just tell them to change the sensor, don't get them to diagnose the problem. You could even supply the sensor for them. It will certanly cost less than the diffence in value of selling the vehicle working or with a fault.

Robert G8RPI.

I have managed to get diagnostics on the van and it is showing crank sensor fault. When cleared and then run, it cuts out and then the crank sensor fault is back on the diagnostics. Fingers crossed that will be the only issue.
Got a pal of a pal who is a bit of a wiz who is hopefully gonna sort it.
I'll let you know how it goes.
For reference, it's a 1.9 non turbo 2002 year

Interested to see how it goes.as crank angle sensors are often tricky to diagnose

Dont always leave an error code.

Charlie