Help... please. This is an odd one...

[Dodge]

95 3.0 Gen2 Auto Turbo Diesel.

On my way to work it cut out, started again straight away and ran fine, cut out again at work.

It turns over, fires and responds to the throttle but as soon as I let go of the key the engine light comes on and it cuts out.

If I hold the key in the cranking position it runs, ticks over and responds to the throttle, obviously the starter is spinning but the engine is running under it's own steam until I release the key and it cuts out.

I've checked for fault codes and there aren't any.

My thought was the ignition switch, so I removed it and took it apart, couldn't find any problems or breakage so I replaced it with a known working one in case it was just worn but the problem is the same.

Anyone any ideas... before I bodge the ignition switch and put a switch in the starter circuit.


Lastly apologies, sorry I know this isn't the technical section, but I'm a bit stuck without wheels for work and the school run. There were 30 viewers of this forum and only 1 in tech, I've left it at work and borrowed a vehicle to do the school run.

Virtual beers for anyone who can help on here, real ones if you can get to Bristol(ish).

Thanks

[gwh200]

You will probably find a broken wire...funnily enough
There are three positions for the key. Off, cranking and running. The running and cranking positions are the only ones which energise the ignition. If either fail, you will either not be able to start, or in your case, release the key and keep running. Best get the multimeter out and check the wires on the back off the barrel.

[Dodge]

You will probably find a broken wire...funnily enough
There are three positions for the key. Off, cranking and running. The running and cranking positions are the only ones which energise the ignition. If either fail, you will either not be able to start, or in your case, release the key and keep running. Best get the multimeter out and check the wires on the back off the barrel.

I thought swapping out the switch would sort that but if the break is further down the loom than the connection block it wouldn't.


The lights that come on when you turn the key do come on, they also go out like they are meant to when it starts, just as soon as the key is released the engine cuts and they all come back on. So I'm guessing there must be a circuit that needs a live feed from the 2nd position on the switch, which it is only getting from the 3rd.


Any ideas which wires/terminals should be live for the engine to run and which are the starter wires?


If no one knows... should I test each terminal for live in the 2nd and third position, find the one that is only live in the 3rd but not the one that goes to the starter?

I hate electrics.

[gwh200]

hmmm...starter relay springs to mind. The 2,4 one is in front of the engine bay, not sure where the 3.0 one is though?

[Dodge]

hmmm...starter relay springs to mind. The 2,4 one is in front of the engine bay, not sure where the 3.0 one is though?

Thanks, I'll have a look.

[BUSHWHACKER]

As yer man said, most likely the starter relay.
The coil isn't being energised to pull the contacts closed once the engine starts, so check the fuse marked "ENGINE" in the fuse panel next to the throttle pedal.

[Dodge]

As yer man said, most likely the starter relay.
The coil isn't being energised to pull the contacts closed once the engine starts, so check the fuse marked "ENGINE" in the fuse panel next to the throttle pedal.

Thanks. If it's just a fuse I'll be well chuffed, shame it's stuck at work.

Any idea where the starter relay is on a 3.0?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Next to the driver's side battery if I remember correctly, it's black and has STARTER RELAY printed on it in yellow.

[Dodge]

Thanks.

... and has STARTER RELAY printed on it in yellow.

That's helpful... although I'd prefer it to say "YOUR PROBLEM IS HERE NUMBNUTS!" I might have found it myself.

Can I test the relay, if so do you know how?


Any other suggestions I can take with me to try tomorrow if it isn't the fuse or relay?

[Dodge]

More happenings that'll either confirm what the problem is or induce more head scratching.

Found the starter relay, removed it, turned the ignition on and jumped across the large contacts in the relay's socket, the truck turned over and started without cutting out and responded to the throttle, lovely I thought, I can just get a relay, jobs a good un.

I couldn't find one local, Roughtrax are closed on weekends, Toyota dealers parts dept had closed, tried a couple of factors but none could find the part.

So it's a wait til Monday, in the meantime I thought I'd just run without the relay, starting it with a jump across the relay socket. But as soon as I put it in gear, reverse or drive, it cut out.

Is this because the relay wasn't fitted or is it something else causing my problem?

Anyone near Bristol got a spare starter relay?

[gwh200]

Sounds like its possessed!

[logey79]

I was possessed once.

[gwh200]

Once!

[Dodge]

sounds like its possessed!

i was possessed once.

once!

[Dodge]

This starter relay, I guess if the ignition is on and turned to start then power goes to the small terminals this opens the switch to the large circuit for the starter?

There wouldn't be power through it all the time would there?

I can't see replacing the relay fixing the problem.