ip primed, stop solenoid clicks, still no fuel to injectors?

[purvisgs]

So I just finished swapping out a used (but working when pulled, from a good friend of mine, filled w/ diesel for ~1 month) ip in a rabbit, and I can't even get any fuel to the injectors, so I am looking for advice...  Car was running fine with leaking ip and no other issues beforehand..

I filled the ip via the return bolt, and hooked up an electric fuel pump inline to finish priming as I started cranking it over.  Intermittently cranked for about half an hour w/ all injectors cracked and not even a drop of fuel.  changed fuel filter.

checked stop solenoid via jumper wire and it clicks when power is applied.  also checked w/ assistant and I can be sure but seems like wiring is ok...

next tried to close all injectors but one, jumper stop solenoid and pull start (tow behind other car, pop clutch) up and down the block quite a few times with still no fuel or signs of life in the engine.

fuel is flowing fine up to the ip via electric pump, I recall ford diesels having a screen on the inlet to the ip that could get clogged, but don't think vw had this.  is there anything else in the fuel system or ip that I am missing?  I am still not even getting a drop of fuel to injectors so I am suspecting something like the stop solenoid.

SO I am stumped...  Is it possible that the stop solenoid clicks but is not actually working?  

Anything else that I should check?  Any advice or ideas would be very greatly appreciated.

thank you!
Greg

[myke_w]

perhaps its sucking air somewhere?

[purvisgs]

I have a clear inline  fuel filter just before the ip, so I know that this is full of fuel and no air is entering...

after a bit more jumping and testing of the fuel shutoff solenoid, it seems that I was mistaken that the click was coming from this solenoid...  

upon jumping to this solenoid from b+, I heard (and thought i felt) a click, but it turns out that this noise was from the glowplug relay, NOT this solenoid...

i was jumping to the stop solenoid with the normal wire from the car's harness still connected.  upon removing this wire from the stop solenoid, I hear no click / and don't feel anything from the solenoid its self...

there is however a spark when the jumper wire is connected to b+...


so, a description of what this solenoid should actually "feel like" would be great...

I am going to search the archives/ net and then go out and remove the solenoid and try to test it out of the car..

thank you!

[jtanguay]

isn't there a way to take the solenoid out and just put it back together?  you will need to suffocate or dump the clutch to shut off the motor though...  this is probably the quickest and dirtiest way to rule it out.  

but usually when you see sparks, it means that current is being drawn, unless it is creating a short straight back to the battery, in which you could seriously damage something (doubt that would happen when touching the solenoid though).  i'd imagine if its drawing current, that it is working fine.

maybe the solenoid is all gummed up and can't move? applying too much power in this state could possibly burn it out. best to take it off and inspect.

[myke_w]

take the solenoid out, remove the spring and plunger, reinstall.. you can kill it by shutting off fuel flow pre pump...

[purvisgs]

ok so I solved the problem and it is running great!!!  thanks for the advice.

I pulled the solenoid and found that there were 2 springs installed/ jammed together where there should have been only one.  tested outside of car and it worked.  installed and it started right up...

have to call up my friend to find out about this one
thanks!

[myke_w]

rock on!

[fatmobile]

I love happy endings ;happy tears;
 Congrats, glad you figured it out.

[myke_w]

I think it's time fro a group hug don't you fatmobile?

[jtanguay]

I think it's time fro a group hug don't you fatmobile?

 :roll: jk!!!  :lol:

i think we should concentrate more on who installed the solenoid improperly... he deserves a hug, then a SLAP!