Fuel Cut Off Switch - Ducato

Lukeledge
Lukeledge Forum Participant Posts: 84
edited September 2021 in Motorhomes #1

On a recent trip in the MH we hit a really pothole with a loud bang! I assumed a tyre had blown and stopped straight away. Then noticed the hazard warning lights had come on the dashboard was telling me that  the fuel had cut off, engine had been stopped and wouldn't restart...... There was also a wee bit of diesel on the road under the engine, but the tyres were fine.

We were now blocking a remote single track road and after a while vehicles were stopped behind and in front of us - sufficient numbers to push us back into a passing place!

Luckily had the Fiat manual with us - apparantly the vehicle has an inertia switch which shuts off the fuel pump after a jolt, the manual shiowed how to push the button on the top to reset it - however the diagram of where it was showed a LHD and isn't very clear - so after half an hour in the front footwell with a torch - we eventually found it - in the back of the passenger footwell mostly hidden behind the trim - you could just see the edge of the top of the switch. Once pressed and key taken out of ignition and replaced the engine restarted - the pump must have dumped a wee bit of diesel when it switched off. Engine management light took about 50 miles to reset itself.

So to other Ducato owners out there - it is worth finding out where this switch  is to avoid having to call out help which might not be needed!

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited August 2021 #2

    A driver with the common sense to check the handbook! We're becoming a rare breed😀.

    What age is your Ducato, LL, as they have changed a fair bit over the years?

  • Lukeledge
    Lukeledge Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited September 2021 #3

    Registered 2016, 130bhp model.

  • harry1000
    harry1000 Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited September 2021 #4

     All modern vehicles have an inertia fuel cut-off system, well worth finding out where it is just in case you manage to trip it. It is just a button press to reset them - I know where mine is. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2021 #5

    but I'd suggest that most of them are controlled by the crank sensor & do not have a manual reset. My diseasal Merc does not have a manual reset.

  • harry1000
    harry1000 Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited September 2021 #6

    I cannot imagine why they would need to be controlled by the crank sensor, other than to inhibit the electric fuel unless the engine is running? Mine does likewise - pump runs when the ignition is turned on, but only runs for a few seconds - then times out/off if engine is not started.

    The inertia switch, is there to cut the fuel pump off (and switch hazards on), if the switch detects a sudden impact (a crash).

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2021 #7

    sorry .. I meant to put that the fuel pump itself is controlled by the crank sensor as you say. I know though there's no manual reset on mine.

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