Engine Only Starts With Temperature Sensor Disconnected

[alexk]

Hello, I recently bought a galaxy 1998 td glx (my first mpv) and the prev owner said it was all running fine but that it had started going very slow up hills. It seemed to drive fine for me on return journey but on following day it was reluctant to start (fired but kept stalling). After 5 mins of trying it started (with cloud of white smoke) and continued to run fine and started again easily while warm. I noticed the temp gauge was not rising at all during driving and checked the engine bay. I think I found two temp sensors: one near the radiator and another mid-way along the top hose which was disconnected. The ground wires coming off this seemed a bit degenerated (copper wire showing in places). I reconnected this sensor and then the engine did not want to start at all!! Also, the heater plug symbol only stayed on for an instant and there was a beep from the dash after each attempt to start. I disconnected it again and the engine started. When warm, I reconnected the sensor and the engine would start again although same thing happened with glow plugs (no beep though). Also, i noticed that the temp gauge on the dash is working when the mid-way sensor is connected. I think this sensor is the 059919501A.

I got a vag com and got a reading with the temp sensor connected but the only fault that showed was for the egr valve with an intermittent short to ground (n18).

Does anyone know why the engine won't start with this sensor connected. The sensor seems to work as it is giving a reading to the temp gauge on the dash? Thanks in advance for any replies

[seatkid]

Its possibly a timing issue which can be caused by incorrect cambelt installation or more commonly a worn bottom timing pulley (key) or a slipping camshaft timing pulley (not tightened correctly). By disconnecting the temperature sensor, the ecu changes the timing thinking the engine is freezing cold and allows you to start it. But the white smoke is a telltale of timing error. At this time of the year, the glow plug light will only light for a fraction of a second even when cold.

 

Get the timing checked and if out then those pulleys are suspect.

 

Going slowly up hills is probably the MAF sensor but is not related to the difficult starting.

[alexk]

That's great, thanks seatkid. I'll get the timing checked out. Did I read somewhere on this site also that someone else was having slowness up hills issues and it turned out to be a timing issue too (worn sprocket)?

[alexk]

PS - if I don't address the timing issue (if is that) will it possibly damage the engine? Or will starting in the winter become even more difficult?

[seatkid]

Yes and yes.

[alexk]

Thanks - I'll get onto my friendly mechanic!

[alexk]

Hello again, my mechanic had it for a couple of days and said he didn't think the timing was out. I don't know if he actually opened it up but he said that he thought that there would be white smoke all the time if the timing was out and not just on starting. I'm going to replace the temp gauge and see if that improves the starting. With regard the slowness up hills could the problem be a choked up fuel filter maybe?

[asp383]

hi had problems with my car, check this thread: http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php/topic/25224-who-wants-to-confirm-what-im-thinking/?hl=asp383&do=findComment&comment=177439

 

when i checked the timing, it was spot on, but struggled to start, sluggish & would intermittently lose power, especially if lifting off the throttle & then back on, with loads of white smoke, zero power, then it would just all clear.

 

i'd already replaced maf sensor, glow plug set, battery & service with trying to sort out the poor starting & sluggishness. when i checked the timing, it was spot on, but my maf sensor was also faulty, along with a few other things that came to light while trying to sort it out. eventually noticed a fuel leak on the injector pump & had to have t taken to a bosch approved garage (you can't get the anti-tamper tools unless you're bosch approved), they sorted the leak, but it still wouldn't start, although the crank pulley bolts were tight, they checked it while it was there, as cam belt was around due, they'd found the woodruff key & keyway in the crankshaft timing pulley were worn, causing the timing to go out when trying to start & when going back on the throttle.

 

breakdown of costs (vat inc):

seal                    £ 12.25

timing belt kit      £ 77.65

c/s timing pulley £ 53.75

c/s screw            £   2.92

4hrs labour        £249.60