Engine won't start, low delivery of diesel

If this is a diesel engine you probably have an air lock in the fuel system. It will need "bleeding" before it will start. If you have already tried bleeding the fuel system there may be an air lock in the injectors. If it still doesn't start I suggest you carry out a compression check because diesel engines need to be in good condition to start easily, especially in cold weather If it is a petrol engine, there could be problems with engine timing or ignition problems.

First, check the condition and operation of the following:

1) Spark plugs, leads and coil(s)
2) Air filter
3) Fuel filter and pump operation.

do you here the fuel pump working when you turn the key?If not could be a fuse that runs the fuel pump.

If it is a 3.8 engine change the crank sensor,they go bad on the 3.8 engines.

I'd get your injectors rebuilt, and tune up your injector pump. Run a little seafoam in the diesel tank, and in the oil. Should make it clear right up.

P0216 DTC - Injection Timing Control Circuit Malfunction and this means the diesel fuel injection pump has a timing failure. This could be that the injection pump timing needs adjusted OR the failure is internal to the injection pump and therefore non-adjustable.

NOTE: If your vehicle is a Dodge Ram with Cummins engine then be aware that fuel delivery problems frequently cause this code. Prolonged fuel delivery problems can cause injection pump failure!

Symptoms of a P0216 DTC may include:
Low power
Crank, but no start
Hard start
Displays an intermittent stumble or miss
Engine may start and then stall
Engine may appear to drive fine but surge at idle


The most frequent cause of this code is a bad injection pump due to poor fuel delivery. Fuel delivery problems could be:
A plugged diesel fuel filter
An in-tank blockage
Air in the fuel due to a cracked in-tank fuel ine above the fuel level
Bad transfer (lift) pump
Injection pump out of time


Possible Solutions: First, simply check if your injection pump timing is adjustable. If so, check the timing and adjust if necessary.

If you think that you may have a fuel delivery problem, then check the lift pump operation. On Dodge Ram with the Cummins engine, the lift pump should produce about 45 oz of diesel in 25 seconds of operation. This can be performed by disconnecting the fuel hose from the injection pump and pumping the fuel into an approved container. Bump the engine over but do not start it. Then the lift pump will operate for 25 seconds. If the fuel is aerated, then check/repair fuel line and recheck.

With the fuel hose connected the fuel pressure should be 10psi. If the fuel delivery tests fail, replace the diesel fuel filter and recheck.

If it still fails then verify there are no restrictions in the fuel tank

Then replace the lift (transfer) pump. IT SHOULD BE NOTED that if this code surfaced after a routine fuel filter replacement or if you have any of the above symptoms after routine fuel filter replacement, then suspect the fuel transfer pump. This occurs because even a weak transfer pump can still provide enough fuel for the engine to run. But when the fuel system\'s prime is lost due to fuel filter replacement, it may not restart again without fixing the fuel delivery problem.

If you found your injection pump to be bad, the lift pump should be checked for operation to protect the new injection pump. This is because weak or low output from lift pump are common cause of injection pump failure. There are some aftermarket kits that can be purchased to warn the operator when the fuel pressure/volume drops to level that could damage the injection pump.

Hope this helps (remember to rating this free answer and leave a testimonial comments).

Check and make sure your glow plug controller is putting out voltage to your glow plugs, make sure voltage to your glow plugs is cycling. if it is not, at the front of the engine there is a temperature switch, if this switch is not working your glow plug controller will not work. also make sure you are getting diesel to your injector pump, if you are not, there is a high pressure switch at the back of the engine right behind the glow plug controller, if this switch is not working, your injector pump will not get fuel. also make sure both batteries are fulley charged, if one is low, your diesel will never start. you can jump out these switches, if your truck starts after bypassing, just make sure to replace them. i have a 1993 silverado C3500HD 2WD. good luck!

P0148 Fuel Delivery Error, this can be a clogged fuel filter or a weak fuel pump, now if you happen to have a diesel it could be the lift pump a dealer would replace that along with a Fuel Control Actuator to clear the code

If it a diesel then you must be aware that when changing a filter and pump they must be full of fuel, otherwise it won't **** the fuel into the engine.

How long are you cranking for,if you have allowed to run out of fuel, it needs to be primed, try pouring diesel into the fuelfilter, but I used tohave the 110bhp AFN passat and it would start after cranking for a while and then cut out, then start but possibly cut out again, then start and give it some throttle, should be fine after that.