Technical It’s over before it’s even started!

[JimSchush]

What an absolute disappointment!
We are just on our way to catch the 11pm ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe and our engine management light comes on again and the van goes into limp mode!
It did the same last Sunday so we had it into a Fiat Dealer in Portsmouth and they couldn’t fault it!
The code the ODB reader shows is P2146-12 which is something to do with the power supply to the injectors!
We have accepted that our trip to France is off the cards so now we have to make our way back up North and try and get it fixed! We have used our own OBD reader to turn off the warning light but the van definitely isn’t as powerful as normal. I’m convinced it will come on again soon.
It’s not the end of the world!

 

[varesecrazy]

You seem to have a list of errors there.. could be a common factor

Tell us more

 

[JimSchush]

You seem to have a list of errors there.. could be a common factor

Tell us more

The Fiat Professional garage informed us of a code relating to the oil level sensor and a code relating to a steering sensor. They told us not to worry about either of them! The problematic code is the p2146-12 which re appeared about 70 miles after our visit to the dealer.
I managed to contact an auto electrician over the weekend who came out and had a look at it. He doesn’t think it’s electrical and from some of his diagnostic checks he thinks the problem lies on injector 1or 2 (or both).He did a check looking at fuel flows, 3 and 4 were almost the same but 1 and 2 had variations in their readings. It’s possible injector 1 or 2 may have debris or some other matter that causes irregular misting fuction of the injector.

 

[Communicator]

Perhaps the OP could inform the forum as to which model of engine is fitted to his vehicle?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I managed to contact an auto electrician over the weekend who came out and had a look at it. He doesn’t think it’s electrical and from some of his diagnostic checks he thinks the problem lies on injector 1or 2 (or both).He did a check looking at fuel flows, 3 and 4 were almost the same but 1 and 2 had variations in their readings. It’s possible injector 1 or 2 may have debris or some other matter that causes irregular misting fuction of the injector.

How does the ECU detect this, and then think that there is an electrical fault?

 

[JimSchush]

The vehicle is a 2018 Ducato 150 bhp non ad blu. 33000 miles no issues until one week ago. Theres no soot in the exhaust.
Fault code P2146-12.

 

[CheeseMonster]

The Fiat Professional garage informed us of a code relating to the oil level sensor and a code relating to a steering sensor. They told us not to worry about either of them! The problematic code is the p2146-12 which re appeared about 70 miles after our visit to the dealer.
I managed to contact an auto electrician over the weekend who came out and had a look at it. He doesn’t think it’s electrical and from some of his diagnostic checks he thinks the problem lies on injector 1or 2 (or both).He did a check looking at fuel flows, 3 and 4 were almost the same but 1 and 2 had variations in their readings. It’s possible injector 1 or 2 may have debris or some other matter that causes irregular misting fuction of the injector.

Any chance a good dose of injector cleaner would work? I've been using a cleaning additive for the last 6 months to try and prevent problems.

 

[JimSchush]

I’ve just put a full bottle of Wynnes injector cleaner in about 20 litres of fuel.
We are going to try it again tomorrow but I’m not sure I am just clutching at straws, I’m still waiting for a call back from a diesel injector specialist in the area we are staying.
I will keep the forum updated.

 

[Communicator]

The vehicle is a 2018 Ducato 150 bhp non ad blu. 33000 miles no issues until one week ago. Theres no soot in the exhaust.
Fault code P2146-12.

The engine capacity, and engine code may be more use.

 

[JimSchush]

Back to the Fiat Professional garage today, the van performed like it was was only giving 85% of its normal power but no warning lights on. The garage checked the injectors and although not perfect they were all deemed to be fine. Until the light comes back it’s still difficult to pinpoint. We were warned that it could be the ECU that’s faulty.
I will keep the forum updated.

 

[Gordy29]

I can understand your disappointment today 2nd June should have been a grand tour to Scotland but my 2022 mult jet 3 is in in a Fiat professional garage I’ve not seen it for 5 weeks no parts available my dealer who I bought it from has spoken to fiat in italy no joy I’ve tried phoning say they will phone still waiting

 

[JimSchush]

It’s not good! We are still driving around the South Coast near Portsmouth waiting for the light to come on. It drives like it’s only giving 80% of its power and it feels lumpy! We’ve done nearly 200 miles since it last came on and I have even thought it could’ve fuel contamination!

 

[varesecrazy]

It’s not good! We are still driving around the South Coast near Portsmouth waiting for the light to come on. It drives like it’s only giving 80% of its power and it feels lumpy! We’ve done nearly 200 miles since it last came on and I have even thought it could’ve fuel contamination!

Did the other errors get traced?

Interested to hear why they were ignored on your initial visit...

 

[JimSchush]

The first error was an oil warning sensor that I believe is quite a large job to do and as we still have a dipstick he informed us it wasn’t necessary and the second was a steering sensor that again wasn’t deemed necessary to do as either faults would not bring the Eml light on. When we took the van back again the garage were great and they fitted us in without an appointment. We spent some time with technician and he checked the diesel injector flow and although not perfect he said he had seen worse.
We really need the light to come on again and as soon as it does we will get straight back to the dealer.
The main error code that is the problematic one is the P2146-12.

 

[theoneandonly]

P2146/12 Injector system power supply

What injector variances are you getting?

 

[Anthony489]

Hi Jim

This is the reply I posted about 6 months ago to someone with a similar issue:

The P2146 indicates a problem with the power supply to all injectors

The /12 "symptom identifier" suffix means a short to B+ (System Supply Voltage).

However, fault codes are only ever a guide, and I don't have information on the exact meaning that Fiat have allocated to this code.

If you have checked out the injectors, the injector to ECU wiring (2 wires per injector) and the ECU itself, there remains the possibility that the ECU is being starved of sufficient 12 volt power. This could be something as simple as a corroded/tarnished fuse or fuseholder. Earlier Ducatos had two or three separate fuses for the ECU, but unfortunately I don't have detailed information for the later models.

I suggest you or your vehicle electrician take a look at the supply voltage(s) at the ECU under running conditions.

I can't help feeling that if the problem has come on suddenly that it is more likely to be a wiring/electrical issue than something that comes on gradually like wear in the injectors. I would want to be absolutely confident that the supplies to the ECU and the wiring from ECU to injectors were above reproach before testing and changing injectors. If your electrical technician hasn't hooked up an oscilloscope to the injectors by now, you need to find someone else who can do this.

 

[Anthony489]

Hi again

Just to add to my last post, here is an article detailing how a wiring loom chafing on the ABS pump caused an intermittent lack of supply voltage to the ECU, a fault which several garages were unable to get to the bottom of. Although not directly related to your problem, it illustrates the sort of thing that can happen to wiring: https://cvwmagazine.co.uk/diagnostics-case-study-fiat-ducato/

 

[JimSchush]

A quick update…. The engine light came on again on Monday as we were leaving Portsmouth. We drove the van directly to Adam Morey and they diagnosed a faulty ECU. The part was ordered and fitted on Wednesday am.
We have driven about 60 miles to our next campsite and everything seems fine.
I am keeping my fingers crossed and hopefully the new ECU fixes the issue.
Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

That's a result - I hope. Nice and simple & clean - I hope. Fingers crossed!

 

[Communicator]

I hope that all is now OK

 

[varesecrazy]

The Fiat Professional garage informed us of a code relating to the oil level sensor and a code relating to a steering sensor. They told us not to worry about either of them! The problematic code is the p2146-12 which re appeared about 70 miles after our visit to the dealer.
I managed to contact an auto electrician over the weekend who came out and had a look at it. He doesn’t think it’s electrical and from some of his diagnostic checks he thinks the problem lies on injector 1or 2 (or both).He did a check looking at fuel flows, 3 and 4 were almost the same but 1 and 2 had variations in their readings. It’s possible injector 1 or 2 may have debris or some other matter that causes irregular misting fuction of the injector.

Good to hear you now seem to be past the problems with that injector error

Please keep us updated in the coming months..


Enjoy your touring

Charlie