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I have a problem with an '06 320cdi and I'm hoping that someone here might be able to steer me in the right direction... The car will crank over, but will not start. This is what my scanner is showing me (among other things that I think are not related to the no start issue)...
I'm sorry, but I don't know how to resize this image so that it's not so BIG.
Does the N3/9 have to sync with the N73 in order for the car to start? If so, how would one go about fixing the problem?
yes sounds like you have an issue with the key---is the car stolen
The car isn’t stolen. I have a clean and clear Texas title to it. The registration was just done in December.
Both the fob and the metal key works the doors and the trunk. The car recognizes the key in the ignition, or the key wouldn’t turn and the starter wouldn’t engage.
The engine cranks, but it will not start.
Last edited by Oldskool36; Jan 31, 2025 at 11:21 AM.
Reason: To add more information.
you have given us the data stream----now preform a quick or short test----what diagnostic faults appear------plus remember in general that 95 percent of all diesel starts are fuel related---volume pressure temp bla bla
These are the codes that are showing up when I scan the car:
ECM - 2136-4 Glow Plug Cylinder 4 Check Lines Between Cylinder 4 And N14/2 (Glow Output Stage). CURRENT AND STORED
System Diagnosis - 930E Synchronization Of The DTC Memory Cannot Be Ensured. CURRENT AND STORED
IC - Instrument Cluster 9118 Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit Central Gateway. STORED
IC - Instrument Cluster 912E ROM: Read Error. STORED
The common rail builds to around 50K psi +/- normal fluctuations.
Last edited by Oldskool36; Jan 31, 2025 at 01:44 PM.
great then to complete the diagnosis you typically clear all the faults then start the vehicle, run for awhile, then retest to determine what comes back----you cant do that but you can wait a moment and run another short test---what came back??
The same codes came back. Just to be sure, I installed a brand new Glow Plug Control Module. No change, though. I understand that the glow plug control module doesn't need to be programmed. Is that correct?
I want to change the #4 glow plug, but I know better than to try it without the ability to put some heat in the engine before I take it out. I'm 99.9% sure that it will break off in the head if I don't. However, I don't think that one bad glow plug will cause a crank but no start issue.
Last edited by Oldskool36; Jan 31, 2025 at 06:11 PM.
that is correct the glow plug module does not have to be programmed---------fyi there are resistance tests for glow plugs to make sure before removal and you are correct loads of heat prior to removal which is normally accomplished while car is on a lift
plus one supposed glow plug will not stop a start
Thank you for confirming that the Glow Plug Module requires no programming. So far, I have made no progress in determining what is wrong with this car. I would think that it something was wrong enough that it's causing the vehicle not to start, I would be getting more codes, or at least a code that would point me in the right direction. So far, that doesn't appear to be the case.
What appears is happening is that something is causing the injectors to not fire. I have fuel pressure at the common rail, I have plenty of compression, and I have air. The only thing I can come up with is that the fuel injectors are not being triggered, and that could possibly be due to some theft deterrent system on the car. ???
What is the possibility that I have somehow triggered a theft deterrent system on the car? How would I be able to test that or find out somehow?
I double checked this morning, and I am NOT getting any activity on the tachometer while the engine is cranking over. I have already replaced the Crank Position Sensor with a brand new one that I had here, same thing though. No activity on the tach while cranking.
we are operating with very different diagnostic systems, my DAS Xentry, factory equal has a very different set of diagnostic fault codes that I cant cross reference to your system.-----what I can say is that is seems to go back to your first post where the EIS and N3/9 are not communicating something------and it is N3/9 that controls the injectors-----and with the DAS-3 anti theft system on your vehicle a swapped key or EIS or N3/9 with a different VIN would never unlock the steering column and start the process-----i can look one more place but I would need your VIN to check your cars wiring diagram for the start circuit bla bla
Okay, so was able to borrow a friend's DAS Xentry system. So, if I can figure out how to use it, I can probably get you the codes from it. On initial look at the system, it looks very confusing to use. I'm going to go give it try now and see what I come up with on it.
Is there any advice that you can give a total newbie with the Xentry system? It appears to be quite complex to use.
and with the DAS-3 anti theft system on your vehicle a swapped key or EIS or N3/9 with a different VIN would never unlock the steering column and start the process
If that were the case, wouldn't it disable cranking as well?
are you serious and you want to change glow plugs-----just do a quick test and post the screen shot
So, here are the results that came up on the Xentry DAS scan of my '06 E320 cdi. This is of no help to me in figuring out why the car will crank, but not start. Obviously, I'm missing something, somewhere as Xentry should be telling me where the problem lies. At least, that is what I've been told about the tool.
I also ran a test of the vehicle's key, and the key passed all of the tests that I can find for it in the Xentry system.
The only things that I have found in the Xentry DAS tool related to theft deterrent, or lockout require access that I do not have on this borrowed system.
Any clues as to if I'm missing something? Today is the first day that I have ever tried to use an Xentry DAS system.
Xentry Quick Test Results The only "Engine Related" Fault Code that showed up from Xentry scan. The tGlow Plug Fault Code is the only code that showed up in the scan.
if that is the case you cant read------look at the quick test-------do you see and F or f wada you think those mean
THANK YOU for that helpful input! However, it didn't get me any closer to figuring out why this car will only crank, but will not start.
Of course, I can read. I am focused on finding codes that may indicate why my car will not start. I am NOT worried about fault codes that have no connection to why my car won't start. Unless you can tell me that there's a connection between the other fault codes that showed up and my car not starting, I am not going to address any of those other codes until I can get this car to start and run. Now, if you want to see the entire list of fault codes that came up, I will be happy to share them.
Once again, I am MASSIVELY THANKFUL for the kind folks on this forum volunteer to respond and try to help me, a total stranger to them. Collectively, you make up a formidable bank of knowledge about these vehicles, and together you make owning one of these fine German autos more enjoyable, affordable and fun.
based on the quick test, i think you are being told what the problem is-----once again just follow my instructions with DAS Xentry---run a quick test----then on the lower right side of the screen you will see an eraser-----that is where you erase all the faults------do that-----then close out and run a second quick test and post the screen shots of the quick test only and forget all the faults we will be working with the quick test screens and that is all i want to see if you want my help
Then I will give you another set of instructions
Thank you for your kind response!
I followed your directions, as specified. Here are the results of the Quick Test after clearing the codes, closing out and running a new Quick Test...
double click on fault codes what does it show and remember all the information that is available to you to test bla bla
When double clicking on fault codes, I came up on this...
Then, I double clicked on the highlighted area (No. 166) and I got this...
However, trying to get into Control Module N73 put me into an endless loop where I couldn't get any further. I don't know if possibly this version of Xentry is limited (and that's why it's available), or if I need to do something else that I'm not aware of.
It looks to me like I need to resolve the synchronization of N73 and N3/9. Any idea on how I do that?
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