my mates sprinter van, can you help

[flashharry]

My mates sprinter has started stalling . The engine cuts right out and sometimes he loses all the lights on the dash. Sometimes the preheat light stays on. To keep it going in traffic he has found out that by holding the key in the start position it won't stall. Any clues ?
Thanks a lot

Flash

 

[D3Less]

Possibly the ignition switch / barrell?

 

[television]

As D3less the ignition switches do fail on MBs

Malcolm

 

[dava]

You dont say what year model, so a stab in the dark. Down the side of the battery there is a black plastic bag, sorry it's the best way I can describe it, it should have the open end down facing, if it's the wrong way up it fills with water and corrodeds the mulit plug in there. Yet another typical MB design fault!!!

Also down below the battery is the glow plug relay, this takes ignition feed so if there is problems here it could also bring up similar faults and while you on check the connections to the alty, as they are ign fed and what the hell your in there, check the wiring harness going across the top of the bulk head just above the inlet manifold, as there is a conector there that corrodes as well as rubs through on manifold.

Yet another MB design fault, the wiring harnes that goes to the starter, it either corrodes at the starter connection or rubs through were it is clamped to the engine block. 2000 onwards Sprinters have a fault on the fuse box, under the steering wheel, they loose there live feed to certian sections of the fuse box????

Also the wiring harness that runs across the front of the vehicle rubs through on the lower pass side radiator, appears to be be more prone if A/C is fitted???? And finally, yes it could be the IGn barrel but more likely the pick up around it which feeds the imobilser, still a new barrel and key, as well as a trip to your local for reprogramming.

Sorry to be so long winded just I've covered most commomn elec faults on Sprinters from 95 to 2006 and believe me there's more.

To be fair all manufacturers have their own 'design faults' and this is why most peolpe wait untill a new model has them sorted out and by that time it's due a face lift. LOL

 

[flashharry]

thanks a lot mate for all the info; I will pass it to him. I think the model is the year 2000. Anyway, I hope he gets it fixed as I'm fed up getting home late from work. Don't mind being late going though.

 

[television]

You dont say what year model, so a stab in the dark. Down the side of the battery there is a black plastic bag, sorry it's the best way I can describe it, it should have the open end down facing, if it's the wrong way up it fills with water and corrodeds the mulit plug in there. Yet another typical MB design fault!!!

Also down below the battery is the glow plug relay, this takes ignition feed so if there is problems here it could also bring up similar faults and while you on check the connections to the alty, as they are ign fed and what the hell your in there, check the wiring harness going across the top of the bulk head just above the inlet manifold, as there is a conector there that corrodes as well as rubs through on manifold.

Yet another MB design fault, the wiring harnes that goes to the starter, it either corrodes at the starter connection or rubs through were it is clamped to the engine block. 2000 onwards Sprinters have a fault on the fuse box, under the steering wheel, they loose there live feed to certian sections of the fuse box????

Also the wiring harness that runs across the front of the vehicle rubs through on the lower pass side radiator, appears to be be more prone if A/C is fitted???? And finally, yes it could be the IGn barrel but more likely the pick up around it which feeds the imobilser, still a new barrel and key, as well as a trip to your local for reprogramming.

Sorry to be so long winded just I've covered most commomn elec faults on Sprinters from 95 to 2006 and believe me there's more.

To be fair all manufacturers have their own 'design faults' and this is why most peolpe wait untill a new model has them sorted out and by that time it's due a face lift. LOL

Hello Dava, I know how you feel, in this day and age how can relay boxes and headlight,tail lamp, module boxes placed in front of a slot in the bumper all fill with water,to be truthful I feel that they are taking the urine out of us.

Malcolm

 

[dava]

Malcolm your not kidding, I could write a book on it. But to be fair they are much of a muchness, we've just took delivery of a load of new focus's and the faults they are having is unreal, not like the old fords. We stopped buying A classes as they were off the road more than they were on! We also have VW and they are no better, I run a VW passat sport est as my daily hack and want to change it as it's clocking on, but what do you get to replace it? The new one is The C class is being replaced and the Audi is just a Vw with an expensive badge on the front. Being the cynic that I am I now believe that they build faults into the car, as the day they make the perfect car/van LOL, they have signed their death warrant.

Any how, hope it all helped.

Ray

 

[television]

Malcolm your not kidding, I could write a book on it. But to be fair they are much of a muchness, we've just took delivery of a load of new focus's and the faults they are having is unreal, not like the old fords. We stopped buying A classes as they were off the road more than they were on! We also have VW and they are no better, I run a VW passat sport est as my daily hack and want to change it as it's clocking on, but what do you get to replace it? The new one is The C class is being replaced and the Audi is just a Vw with an expensive badge on the front. Being the cynic that I am I now believe that they build faults into the car, as the day they make the perfect car/van LOL, they have signed their death warrant.

Any how, hope it all helped.

Ray

Thanks you have opened my eyes a bit more, I do not go near CV threads normally,not my line and your answers prove that. you should do your last piece for the DIY section.

Malcolm

 

[dava]

Thanks you have opened my eyes a bit more, I do not go near CV threads normally,not my line and your answers prove that. you should do your last piece for the DIY section.

Malcolm

To be fair Malcolm there is some very switched on people on this forum and a lot are not Mechanics, not being rude to any one here, so I'll stick to lurking if you dont mind, but always willing to help.
Regards

 

[television]

To be fair Malcolm there is some very switched on people on this forum and a lot are not Mechanics, not being rude to any one here, so I'll stick to lurking if you dont mind, but always willing to help.
Regards

Point taken and understood.

Malcolm