This is a C-Series Cummins in a 1994 Class A motorhome. I fired it up the other day and it started Bang(!) right away like always. Ran for maybe five minutes, happy idle, then shut down. Won’t start again. It cranks great, tries hard, but not even a cough. No smoke. I suspect the fuel cutoff solenoid but I manually blocked it open and no difference. Here is one clue, as I crank there is no movement of the tachometer. Normally when cranking the tach will show a few hundred RPM but now nothing. Can’t find a single fuse or breaker that isn’t working. Ideas?

When trying to start it, does the engine seem spin faster than it normally does?If so the above may be correct. Broken timing chain. No compression if the above is correct.FWIW, I don't know diesels. Just poking in the dark here.

Do you have fuel pressure at the injectors? If you do you should smell raw fuel at the exhaust outlet. If not, you are not getting any fuel and you need to start eliminating items like the injector pump, etc.

Timing chain on Cummins C????Most likely is a weak fuel shut-off solenoid. The replacement from Cummins is more robust. Short term, you should be able to wire it in the open position, but will have to unwire it to stop the engine.Here is a very good description with pictures: http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/fuel_shut_off_solenoid_replacement.html

'94 Dutch Star ran fine, died - that's it | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Tinstar
Explorer
May 30, 2015
I would guess air in the fuel lines. I wouldn't worry about the RPM not showing on the tach. You know it's turning over. Just to verify it's not something else, I would crack a banjo nut at the first injector and bleed for fuel. There's not much that goes wrong with a mechanical engine with symptoms like that.
jplante4
Explorer II
May 29, 2015
This used to happen on the boat (one lung Yanmar) when we forgot to open the fuel cutoff valve. Ran long enough during launch to get us off the Brownell then it died. Drop the hook real quick and spend the next half hour bleeding the fuel system.
Ivylog
Explorer III
May 29, 2015
It's a mechanical injection pump and the only electric part is the fuel solinoid so with fuel and turning over it should start.
I take this "Ran for maybe five minutes, happy idle, then shut down" to mean it shut off on it's own. If so, someone stole all of your fuel. I would also check for water in your fuel filters.
wolfe10
Explorer
May 29, 2015
Clearly the fuel shutoff solenoid is not the only thing that will keep the engine from starting, but a very good "check first".

But, diesels are pretty simple. If it turns over at the correct speed and has fuel, it should start.
kevfra
Explorer
May 29, 2015
Problem is that doesn't link to why the tach is not reading while I crank. Plus I did wire the solenoid open and no change.
Ivylog
Explorer III
May 28, 2015
X2 on Brett's solenoid recommendation. This is a common problem and I carry a spare one for my Freightliner with the older 8.3.
wolfe10
Explorer
May 28, 2015
Timing chain on Cummins C????

Most likely is a weak fuel shut-off solenoid. The replacement from Cummins is more robust. Short term, you should be able to wire it in the open position, but will have to unwire it to stop the engine.

Here is a very good description with pictures: http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/fuel_shut_off_solenoid_replacement.html
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
May 28, 2015
Do you have fuel pressure at the injectors? If you do you should smell raw fuel at the exhaust outlet.
If not, you are not getting any fuel and you need to start eliminating items like the injector pump, etc.
mike_brez
Explorer
May 28, 2015
Cam shaft position sensor.
2bzy2c
Explorer II
May 28, 2015
When trying to start it, does the engine seem spin faster than it normally does?
If so the above may be correct. Broken timing chain. No compression if the above is correct.

FWIW, I don't know diesels. Just poking in the dark here.