Sprinter 308D problems

[evolution369]

Good evening and hello to all,
I have a 1998 sprinter 308D 2.3litre van that will not start. The glow plug pre heat light stays on constantly, which according to my manual means a problem with the immobiliser ? The engine turns over. there is also no fuel reaching the injectors. Is there an easy way of testing the immobiliser/ resolving this problem.

Many thanks

 

[CRASH67]

well the only part of the igniton system that we normally change on the sprinter 308D is the ingnition switch that clips in to the seering lock.
IIRC all if not MOSTsprinter 308 dont have a chipped key, if any do it will the very late 98-99 version if yours is in that range just look down the blade of you key and see if you have a chip in the key base.
hope that helps in some way.
I only work as a parts man in a Mercedes Dealer so the above is based on what issue i have exprienced in the past

 

[312 Sprinter]

I didn't think those had immobilisers either. The 308 is the last of the purely mechanical injection pump models. I've worked on them, but only my own vehicle, not systematically on lots of them

A common fault on the 308 used to be that the vacuum module failed. I'd also have a look at the stop valve.

It's been a few years since I had a 308, I moved onto the bigger engined ones. I got fed up with struggling out of Dover in first gear with a trailer on the back.

Did it suddenly refuse to start one morning or did it break down?

 

[evolution369]

thanks for reply,
yes , my key is chipped.Do you think the ignition needs replacing?

 

[evolution369]

It started to miss-fire one night,the pre heat light came on. next morning it was fine and seemed to of cleared itself but following morning it would not start.

 

[CRASH67]

To be honest thsi is not going to be an easy fix with out having all the facts.
But if you got the last of the 308s with chipped ignition.
im having a guess that its going to be the key its self the WSP control unit (this is what the key is coded to so it regonises to start)
or as i mentioned a ignition switch

could even be a dodgy wire. TBH the best thing to do it have plugged in to a diagnostic machine preferably with some who knows there way round the sprinters
to test and find the fault.

 

[312 Sprinter]

Have you tried starting it with a different key?

Clutching at straws I might try disconnecting the battery and seeing if it resets itself.

It could easily be something silly like a broken wire on the sensor ring for the key. I must admit though I've never had the pleasure of a chipped 308.

 

[CRASH67]

i think the chipped system on the 308s from 98 to 99 was readying the system for the CDIs

 

[evolution369]

the battery has been disconnected to recharge it and i have plugged in diagnostics and it would not communicate with the van,
will try another key