Any mk4 experts in Devon or Cornwall please?

[smileyflo]

Hi, are there any smiley experts/enthusiasts in the south west willing to come have a look at my van for me please? I'm happy to pay for your time/fuel costs, just looking for someone who properly knows these vehicles to give me some info rather than going straight to the local mechanics who are mostly younger than the van is. We're just outside holsworthy, midway between bude and launceston.

Shes a 1999 model and has been super reliable for years, used as my wheelchair van and housed my son when hes been working away on job sites,  but sorn over this winter after suddenly breaking down on a trip back from the north (my son pulled into a service station to go to the loo and when he came out the van just refused to start). The RAC recovery guy got her going again, said it was likely the fuel pump (pats light flashing code 32 but solenoid is missing - we have no idea when or how that happened, may not be a new thing- so that could explain code), and said that once the van stopped again she would probably never restart. Son got her home and the next day she did start fine but hasn't been driven since as son has been away and shes now out of mot. He's going to be back soon and we want to get the van sorted but fuel pump replacement looks like an extremely expensive and time consuming job, and we're not sure if theres anything else going to need fixing for mot (possible fuel leak and exhaust fumes are grubby) so getting a mk4 experts view (or a mechanic who isnt horrified by her age and confused at the beautiful simplicity of her engine) would be super helpful if theres anyone here local to us? Thanks

[MinorMatt]

Hi, are there any smiley experts/enthusiasts in the south west willing to come have a look at my van for me please? I'm happy to pay for your time/fuel costs, just looking for someone who properly knows these vehicles to give me some info rather than going straight to the local mechanics who are mostly younger than the van is. We're just outside holsworthy, midway between bude and launceston.

Shes a 1999 model and has been super reliable for years, used as my wheelchair van and housed my son when hes been working away on job sites,  but sorn over this winter after suddenly breaking down on a trip back from the north (my son pulled into a service station to go to the loo and when he came out the van just refused to start). The RAC recovery guy got her going again, said it was likely the fuel pump (pats light flashing code 32 but solenoid is missing - we have no idea when or how that happened, may not be a new thing- so that could explain code), and said that once the van stopped again she would probably never restart. Son got her home and the next day she did start fine but hasn't been driven since as son has been away and shes now out of mot. He's going to be back soon and we want to get the van sorted but fuel pump replacement looks like an extremely expensive and time consuming job, and we're not sure if theres anything else going to need fixing for mot (possible fuel leak and exhaust fumes are grubby) so getting a mk4 experts view (or a mechanic who isnt horrified by her age and confused at the beautiful simplicity of her engine) would be super helpful if theres anyone here local to us? Thanks

First things first - its a mk5

Secondly - which engine do you have? From what you are saying it sounds like either a non turbo diesel, or a turbo diesel thats had a bosch injection pump fitted?

It also sounds like someone has bypassed the immobiliser system by running a single wire straight in to the back of the injection pump. I would follow that and look where it goes and look for a dodgy connection Same applies for the wiring to the starter motor solenoid. If the wiring at the starter solenoid looks factory the bypass probably was just a piece of wire in the relay socket under the passenger side dash top cubby hole (just pulls out).

[smileyflo]

Yep I'm an idiot, of course shes a mk5, sorry. Thanks for your reply and info. Its a non turbo diesel engine and after following your suggestions we've found a damaged wire that looks to have shorted out on the bodywork, so hopefully that was the main problem and the fuel pump will be fine, which would be awesome news! My mate who helped me look at her today doesnt want to do any fiddling about so I'm gonna wait till my son gets back and let him see whats what after fixing the wire and putting the battery back in. But just out of interest, you dont happen to know the most likely cause of a long term minor fuel leak, *possibly* originating somewhere under the injector pump.. or an intermittent 'horrible screeching noise'? Thanks again for the info, its much appreciated.

[MinorMatt]

Very difficult to say without seeing it.

Screeching is normally a belt - so check they are tight and *maybe* replace the aux and PAS belts?