[boma23]

Hi,

My dad's old P38 sits standing since he passed, and when i go home to see mum once a year, I charge the battery, start it all up, take it for a run up and down our short private road a few times to free brakes and scrub disks etc., and then check everything is working and clean and detail it and put it away. Only issue is weak glow plugs, so I usually go through the ignition cycle 3 times to properly heat them before cranking, and firing her up.

I'm here now for 5 days, and first job on the list, have done the same, as per normal. Everything was fine (apart from sticky door latches), and after running it for about 30 mins, parked it outside the garage to clean it, turned it off, and now it won't start. It cranks, but isn't firing.

The glow plug lights on the dash now are not even coming on (which they were when I started it). I've checked the fusebox, but can't see anything for the plugs - no relays or fuses. Where else do I start looking?

Thanks in advance for any help! I've done a quick search since registering, but can't find anything for this situation.

Dom

 

[boma23]

update: 2 hrs later same thing exactly - plug lights not coming on.


update 2: another 3 hours later, and plug lights came on but battery wasn't strong enough.


I've had the batttery out and on charge over night, so about to refit after checking voltage...


Suspect a mixture of a weak battery, along with other documented issues I've since found on hot startgin issues.


I will be checking for air in clear FIP fuel line, and listening for the pump to be whirring (which I've learnt is on same circuit as plugs, and occasionally people have reported stops when fuel levels are low).


Another update shortly...

 

[boma23]

Further update - the alarm / immobiliser system has now thrown its toys out of its' pram whilst the battery was out and being charged.

After trying to connect the battery with doors unlocked, open, closed, locked again, and having opened and shut them all several times, the alarm continued to sound whenever battery was connected.

I've disconnected the sounder under the fusebox to allow me to try and start the car, but I get the message "Engine disabled" followed by "press remote fob", after goignt hrough the starting warm up (and the plugs are showing as charging now). The key I had been using wasn't lighting to show IR when I pressed it, but when i unlocked and locked the car again using the key, the hazards did flash, so I assume the alarm is turning on or off. I tried a second damaged key fob we have, which did flash to show IR being sent, but didn't seem to have an affect on the engine being immobilised.

At this point, I've left the car locked (using the key), and will leave it for a while with the battery still connected, and doors locks and alarm hopefully armed. I've no idea if the immobiliser will reset, but any ideas would be appreciated. I've got 48 hrs to get this car ff the road before I have to leave, and my 70 yr old mother will be having kittens with stress if I can't get the vehicle back into the driveway...