Help me diagnose a fault 1500 miles away!

[sunbeam alpine]

Just had a phone call from a family friend. Engine cut out while stationary in traffic (in Spain!) and won't re-start.

It's a diesel - fuel gauge is showing nearly half-full - and it's not spinning over super fast, so I'm guessing (hoping!) that the timing belt hasn't failed.

They have European breakdown cover - and they've been called out, but upon checking, it appears that their relay only covers the car with 5 passengers (despite being registered with Europ-Assistance as an 8-seater), so I'm hoping they get the damned thing running!

I'm thinking fuel pump or fuel filter, but open for any other suggestions.

[Skyrocket21]

You could help by naming the vehicle and engine.

Two times a diesel has cut out on me, fuel pump relay and cambelt snapped.

There are many other possibilities, if it's a Volvo D5 it could be the auxilary belt.

[sunbeam alpine]

Skyrocket21 said:

You could help by naming the vehicle and engine.

Two times a diesel has cut out on me, fuel pump relay and cambelt snapped.

There are many other possibilities, if it's a Volvo D5 it could be the auxilary belt.

Sorry - it's a Fiat (Ulysse?) monovolume - 8-seater.

[john2443]

When our Fiat diesel 1.9 cut out, it was the high pressure fuel pump. Not easy to test, and probably too late to be helpful!

[sunbeam alpine]

Thanks for the reply. Breakdown service attended and found a cable connector had come loose under the bonnet. Car is running again.

[QJumper]

It's so nice when it turns out to be something simple.