2006 Jetta BRM - no start P0341 present

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Good morning guys, we have an 06 BRM with 265k. This post will be long-ish, so get strapped in as we recount the timeline

May of 2024, a very concerning sound started happening in the 5spd gear box. It sounded like it was about to grenade. So, we pulled the engine and transmission to do a full refresh. While the motor was out, it got a new rear main (has crank sensor on it), full timing kit, and replaced the vc gasket. While the engine was out, we taped off all the orifices and pressure washed it down over the summer. Surprisingly, it was converted to smf, but to replace the pressure plate and disc was more than putting the dmf back in. Also sourced a replacement 5spd from a donor car that was wrecked.

A few days ago now, we got it all back together and finally got it to crank last night. That’s all it did was crank (didn’t act like it wanted to start). After about 10 seconds on key, the oil light would start flashing, and it set the p0341 code. Now when we did the timing, it’s got the continental belt, hepu wp, and schaeffler tensioner and idler. We didn’t pull the cam pulley off. The 3 bolts were loosened to get the belt in, set the tensioner and it put the 3 bolts back in the center of the cam pulley where by eyeball it was before, and the the motor was rotated 2x at first, easy slide in with the special tools, didnt like where the tensioner pointer was, so set the tools again and readjusted the tensioner. Turned it over again 2x and the tools slide in easy.

We haven’t verified the timing yet other than pulling the top cover. We did unplug the cam sensor, and the ecu changed to cam signal missing. So, it seems the cam sensor is working. Do ya’ll think were on the right track with timing? We don’t have vcds unfortunately just yet so checking the torsion values isn’t going to happen anytime soon. If timing is correct, start checking for voltages, resistance and continuity yeah? Thank you all in advance for your thoughts. This is our first tdi, and needless to say, we want her to last for a good long while

 

[Rx7145]

Have you primed the fuel system with VCDS? I think it’s group 035 or 036. That will run the intank pump for 30sec instead of 2sec. Then hold the “gas” pedal down a little during cranking.

 

[Rx7145]

Sorry just re-read and see you don’t have VCDS. You can cycle the Key a lot to slowly prime the pump or pull the back seat and “ hot-wire “ the pump to run continuously during cranking. Another option is applying a vacuum on the tandem pump to suck fuel into the pump and head.

As far as timing goes you could recheck it by just re-installing the timing lock tools. The three bolts on the cam gear should be about in the center of the slots.

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

I did hold the throttle open while cranking .. I also opened the bleeder on the fuel filter canister several times. The bolts are center slots, so that’s where I’m thrown off. I’ll see if I can get to the car today and get some photos.

 

[Rx7145]

Is the tach coming up when cranking?

 

[oilhammer]

Did you set the sealing flange in with the special tool?

 

[2004LB7]

What if the cam timing to too far out? Since you loosened the cam sprocket bolts. Did they go back to the exact same location?

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Tach - yes. Special tool for rear seal - yes. Cam sprocket went back to exact spot it was prior to me loosening the bolts.

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

IMG_0951.jpeg

• PiscesPokerBrat
• Jan 9, 2025

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• PiscesPokerBrat
• Jan 9, 2025

 

[Rx7145]

Timing looks good.

 

[2004LB7]

Probably fuel or cam/crank sensor preventing it from starting. But without VCSD, can't know for sure

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Yeah I was happy to see the timing was dead nuts accurate from where it was prior. So, we have verified on the cam sensor pins 1 to 3 there is 5v. I think pin 2 showed 5v too, but I don’t recall as it’s been a few three days we're waiting for new oil to show up before going much further. Is it possible the cam sensor could’ve died while sitting ??

 

[2004LB7]

I don't recall which pins, but one should be 5v, one ground and another the signal

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Okay .. I gleamed info from Alldata to test the cam sensor. Voltage at pins 1 and 3, ohms resistance checked between ecm and sensor good. No opens or shorts to ground. Replaced cam sensor still have the issue. I refuse to believe the ecm died from just sitting in a dry shop for 7 months . A friend suggested I pull the #1 glow plug and verify tdc. What do yall think ??

 

[oilhammer]

Many mystery BRM issues end up being something messed up with the engine harness.

 

[JETaah]

Pull the glow plugs out and crank. If you do not see fuel misting out of the four holes after 5-10 seconds then you have not bled that rail sufficiently.
Or perhaps the injector harness is not attached properly or as previously mentioned, the engine harness itself is fubar.

If you do not have a means to actuate the fuel tanks lift pump via VCDS then go to the lift pump itself and apply battery power to the two larger outer spade terminals on the lift pump's connector. The terminal on the round edge side of the connector is ground (ground round) and the opposite side is for 12VDC. Do you hear the pump run? If not then that is a problem. I cant remember off hand if you can draw fuel to the engine with a vacuum source on a BRM's fuel filter output nipple.

If the lift pump runs then let the sucker run for a few minutes. Then pull the glow plugs and crank, etc...^

If and when you see the fuel misting from the holes, put the glow plugs back in and you should be good to go providing the timing is correct

 

[oilhammer]

Yeah, the PDs can be a bear to prime sometimes. But I still feel like that the CMP DTC would not be happening if it were JUST fuel prime.

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Pulled the glow plugs .. no fuel coming out . I shot it with ether and put em back, got it to pop. Did it a second time and same thing. Now on my tablet, I’m able to cycle the fuel pump for 30 seconds. I did that at least 10 times. On the last fp cycle I cranked it and it popped.. but the battery was too weak. So, I’ve charged 2 battery’s overnight and gonna try again today.

 

[oilhammer]

You can always try the gas soaked rag trick:

Pull the glow plug bridge OFF.

Pull the air cleaner lid up, and pull the filter element out.

Wrap a rag with some gasoline splashed on it around the air cleaner lid, sandwich between the halves sort of where the element goes. You want vapors only, no liquid.

Then give it a crank.... just be sure the rag is secured in such a way in cannot get sucked in, and is easily pulled out.

 

[2004LB7]

You can always try the gas soaked rag trick:

Pull the glow plug bridge OFF.

Pull the air cleaner lid up, and pull the filter element out.

Wrap a rag with some gasoline splashed on it around the air cleaner lid, sandwich between the halves sort of where the element goes. You want vapors only, no liquid.

Then give it a crank.... just be sure the rag is secured in such a way in cannot get sucked in, and is easily pulled out.

I've had good luck pouring a cap full of gasoline right on the air filter. Never had to do anything with the glow plugs but I can see how one might be concerned

 

[oilhammer]

DI engines may be a little more forgiving, but the prechamber diesels end up with cracked inserts from idiots with ether.

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Well, I bought vcds. If I was reading it right, it looks to be injecting fuel. So, I’m left with a few things now. The timing is off, the oil level (which is full but the light flashes after cranking for 10 seconds), or the ecu. I’m at a loss on this danged thing

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

I’ve seen no vapors or otherwise while cranking it glow plugs out.

 

[backfast61]

I recently bought a 2006 vw tdi jetta that previous owner could not get to start... I did the whole nine yards as far as cam and timing belt because of the mileage ... I also replaced the tandem pump because of fuel in the oil... The simplest way for me to make sure that I had purged all of the air out of the fuel system was I disconnected the line FROM the tandem pump return line ( the one with the blue lines on it) and pulled a vacuum on it. Once I knew I had diesel fuel returning to the fuel filter canister- it started right up. Hope this helps the next person.... My .02 cents

 

[PiscesPokerBrat]

Solved - it was a timing issue

 

[privateTDIjet]

Solved - it was a timing issue

Sometimes we need warmer weather to focus haha