Help please!

[borpatdi]

Well this is gonna be one odd first post....
5 Days ago after much jealousy over the incredible mpg you TDI owners were posting up I gave in a purchased a used 2001 beetle TDI. It was a one owner, manual transmission, 180 k, that had been maintained since new by a very reputable Denver VW shop.

It drove home nicely and for 2 days was fantastic but then.....while driving home I experienced a noticeable power loss while ascending a local hill. I downshifted but did not receive the expected "pick up." As soon as I down shifted and pressed the accelerator slightly something seemed to let go.....a noticeable increase in engine noise was heard then the car stalled. In desperation to get out of the highway I attempted to start, it fired up for 10 seconds or so then died. The car would turn over after that but not start.

I returned to my home grabbed my car hauler and recovered the vehicle with no additional attempts to start it. Once I returned home a visual inspection revealed no obvious leaks or catastrophic visible insult. I pulled the timing cover and it was intact and pristine. after charging the battery over night I attempted to start. Starter would not cycle the engine.

I pulled the starter thinking perhaps I had fried it attempting to start it...it tested out fine. Checked the positive and negative cables, reinstalled and attempted to start with a fresh battery ...no luck. the starter seems to engage but will not turn over. Id like to turn the car over and to assess and attempt to localize the issue but just cant seem to get the thing to do it. The only code up is a 1248 which I see no correlation to this issue. Any suggestions. Thanks

[Smileybug]

That code actually seems to be the culprit:

17656/P1248/004680 - Ross-Tech Wiki
17656/P1248/004680 - Start of Injection Timing Regulation: Control Deviation
Possible Symptoms

Loss of Power at high Engine Speeds
Engine difficult to Start

Possible Causes

Start of Injection Timing Regulation not OK
Injection Pump Control Range blocked/dirty (e.g. by Metal Particles)
Engine has stalled / ran out of Fuel recently
Wiring/Connectors from/to Injection Valve (N108) faulty

Possible Solutions

Check/Adjust Injection Start. See TDI Timing Checker
Check Fuel Supply
Check/Replace Fuse(s)
Check/Repair Wiring/Connectors from/to Injection Valve (N108)
Run Output Tests

[borpatdi]

true indeed. likely is the culprit for the stall and likely problem but in no way would this prevent the car from turning over. Am I wrong? Thanks for the reply

[Smileybug]

Well it does say that "Engine difficult to start" is a symptom. Might need VAG-COM to help figure this stuff out. I know more about the old IDI diesels than the TDIs when it comes to technical stuff.

[borpatdi]

Thanks friend

[psaboic]

Also check the clear fuel line that runs from the fuel filter to the injection pump to see if you have fuel in it. It is in the engine compartment on the left side as you are looking at the engine. You might have something as simple as a clogged fuel filter

[psaboic]

Also go over to TDIclub.com. There are MANY TDI experts over there, and you should be able to get it sorted out in short order

[borpatdi]

Thanks all. I will check those items. For the life of me though I just cant figure out why it wont turn over. All of these things could prevent it from starting and effect performance but should not effect it turning over. I have multiple issues apparently.

[IndyTom]

Voltage regulator inside the starter. If it is bad the starter will not be able to crank the engine.
A new starter may be in order.

[psaboic]

Sorry, I thought you said it would turn over but not start....Don't worry about fuel in the system until you can get it to turn over.

I would pull the glow plugs and then try to turn it over by hand to be sure it isn't locked up for some reason.....Not to scare you but I had a friend with a "Honda" that lost oil pressure when the oil pump shaft sheared. No oil light came on for some reason, but the car stalled when the engine locked up due to insufficient oil pressure. I would make sure the engine turns free (at least 4-6 full revolutions) by hand before going much further.

[digitalputty]

HEY! What Denver shop did you go to?? Just curious. I live in Denver and go to Eurosport.