2002 T280 dies after few minutes

[blueyT280]

Hi,

I recently bought a camper-converted 2002 Transit T280.

It has this bizzare issue where it will start fine, idle for about 5 minutes, and then the revs will start to fluctuate a bit before it finally dies. The throttle cable also becomes unresponsive during this time, flooring it has no effect on the revs.
It then refuses to start again until I leave it for a few hours, or until the next day.

Any ideas where I should start looking first? Got a generic OBD reader but it doesn't seem to work with the Transit.

Many thanks

[knobby1]

Hi,

I recently bought a camper-converted 2002 Transit T280.

It has this bizzare issue where it will start fine, idle for about 5 minutes, and then the revs will start to fluctuate a bit before it finally dies. The throttle cable also becomes unresponsive during this time, flooring it has no effect on the revs.
It then refuses to start again until I leave it for a few hours, or until the next day.

Any ideas where I should start looking first? Got a generic OBD reader but it doesn't seem to work with the Transit.

Many thanks

What actual reader did you use..?? Mk6 Transits are "NOT" OBD-II compliant, so most of the newer readers won't work. You need Forscan or IDS. Is the glow plug light flashing fast..??

They don't have a throttle cable either..they have an electronic throttle pedal.

Lord Knobrot

[DanMK7uk]

Could really do with some diagnosing with software but when was the fuel filter last changed ?

[blueyT280]

Thanks for the replies.

The OBD reader I have is a cheapy Amazon one, so it probably isn't compatible with the Transit.
And yes you're right, it is an electronic throttle, and it seems to ignore any input when the revs start fluctuating.

I had it serviced when I bought it a few weeks ago, and they were supposed to change the fuel filter then

[knobby1]

Thanks for the replies.

The OBD reader I have is a cheapy Amazon one, so it probably isn't compatible with the Transit.
And yes you're right, it is an electronic throttle, and it seems to ignore any input when the revs start fluctuating.

I had it serviced when I bought it a few weeks ago, and they were supposed to change the fuel filter then

You need proper diagnostics on it...not just a cheap reader...get Forscan and do it yourself, it's free to downloasd and the cable is cheap.

Lord Knobrot.

[blueyT280]

You need proper diagnostics on it...not just a cheap reader...get Forscan and do it yourself, it's free to downloasd and the cable is cheap.

Lord Knobrot.

Thanks for the advice. I'll get one ordered ASAP.

In the meantime, is there anything else I can/should check?

[DanMK7uk]

Its all a guessing game really. Best thing is get it plugged in to forscan when your cable comes and deal with what it shows

[blueyT280]

Just went out and tested the battery, it's showing around 11v with the ignition off and under 10v when cranking, so I've definitely got a bad battery.

I connected my trusty booster pack up, and it cranked and cranked, but refused to start up.

Would having a bad battery, regardless of using a booster pack, cause the van to cut out and not start again?

[metalworker0]

Ideally you need to do some more tests when running ..to work out if the battery is being charged. (plus 14 volts) ..if you are in the situation of low battery and not being charged, the van will break down as you have been .,, as not enough voltage to keep the electronics happy .

with the jump start in place should start , maybe needs more persistence or better more powerfull jump start set up, as it needs to turn over fast not slow.

all the best.mark

[knobby1]

Just went out and tested the battery, it's showing around 11v with the ignition off and under 10v when cranking, so I've definitely got a bad battery.

I connected my trusty booster pack up, and it cranked and cranked, but refused to start up.

Would having a bad battery, regardless of using a booster pack, cause the van to cut out and not start again?

No. If the battery was that bad, it wouldn't start in the first place. Good batteries are basically essential on a Transit. Often a poorly starter can be amongst other issues related to poor starting too, it may turn over fast enough but if it's pulling more current than would otherwise be the case, it drags power away from the pump electrics and they can fail to start because of it. Under 10v during cranking is just not going to do it.

As our Dan says, you need to get the fault codes read and work from there....guessing is pointless.

Lord Knobrot