bmwilson55
New member
Hello, first post on here so go easy on me. 1.9L VW TDI 2003 Jetta Manual 187k. Was driving in terribly cold weather a few weeks back and the car seemed to be sluggish when trying to accelerate. A minute later, when I left off the gas to go through a roundabout it died. Hasn't started since. Engine turns over at the normal rate, no smokey/smelly exhaust out the back like it usually has when trying to start. So, all that said, fairly certain I am not getting fuel to the chambers.
1. Waited for a warm day, still no start.
2. Replaced fuel filter (and filled it with fuel), still no start.
3. Bought a mightyvac, pull fuel through the filter from the tank, still no start.
Pull off the return line to the IP and was able to remove some air, but it eventually pulled a fairly strong vacuum and stopped extracting fuel. Held at about 23 and slowly bled off if I let it set there for a few minutes. Still no start.
4. Pulled a vacuum on the return line coming out of the IP leading to the filter and still got about 23 on the vacuum, and it held that vacuum with a slow bleed. Turned over the engine, tried the same vacuum again, still held, still no start.
5. Checked the voltage going to the fuel shutoff solenoid and am getting the 11/12 volt. Hooked the battery directly to the solenoid and tried to start, no start. I can hear a clicking in the solenoid when I apply 12v, so it sounds like it is good, but not sure.
6. Removed the fuel shutoff solenoid to look for any damage, didnt see anything wrong.
7. I have not pulled the lines leading to the cylinders as I am fairly sure they aren't getting fuel. I see no smoke and don't smell any combustion when trying to start it.
8. Made sure the IP was in fact turning over by checking and marking the belt position on the sprocket and seeing that it moves when turning over the engine.
9. Codes are P0128, P0252, but i am using a generic basic scanner, so no deep dive.
10.? Really Really Really trying to avoid buying a new IP, but running out of things to try. One question I have, why am I pulling a vacuum on the return line from the IP? Shouldn't I get fuel flow through it? No fuel leaks anywhere on the pump, all looks fine. Thanks!
1. Waited for a warm day, still no start.
2. Replaced fuel filter (and filled it with fuel), still no start.
3. Bought a mightyvac, pull fuel through the filter from the tank, still no start.
Pull off the return line to the IP and was able to remove some air, but it eventually pulled a fairly strong vacuum and stopped extracting fuel. Held at about 23 and slowly bled off if I let it set there for a few minutes. Still no start.
4. Pulled a vacuum on the return line coming out of the IP leading to the filter and still got about 23 on the vacuum, and it held that vacuum with a slow bleed. Turned over the engine, tried the same vacuum again, still held, still no start.
5. Checked the voltage going to the fuel shutoff solenoid and am getting the 11/12 volt. Hooked the battery directly to the solenoid and tried to start, no start. I can hear a clicking in the solenoid when I apply 12v, so it sounds like it is good, but not sure.
6. Removed the fuel shutoff solenoid to look for any damage, didnt see anything wrong.
7. I have not pulled the lines leading to the cylinders as I am fairly sure they aren't getting fuel. I see no smoke and don't smell any combustion when trying to start it.
8. Made sure the IP was in fact turning over by checking and marking the belt position on the sprocket and seeing that it moves when turning over the engine.
9. Codes are P0128, P0252, but i am using a generic basic scanner, so no deep dive.
10.? Really Really Really trying to avoid buying a new IP, but running out of things to try. One question I have, why am I pulling a vacuum on the return line from the IP? Shouldn't I get fuel flow through it? No fuel leaks anywhere on the pump, all looks fine. Thanks!
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