I have a problem with my 2000 (according to V5) Mk5 (smiley) Ford Transit 2.5 turbo diesel motorhome. On a LCY190 chassis, done 70,000 miles, owned by me for 19 years.
The red Engine Management System warning light comes on and stays on, then it won't start.
The problem did arise after the water pump went. It was recovered to a garage and the timing belt and other belts were renewed at the same time!
That was two years ago and I can't get to the bottom of my problem. It starts OK but after a while the red Engine Management System warning light comes on.
I eventually noticed that it comes on when the engine revs drop down, such as when pulling up at a road end or traffic lights - but only after a few miles. So it doesn't happen at my road end just seconds from leaving home. But it will after 5 or 10 miles when I slow/stop and the revs drop again.
It then stays on until my journey end. Then if I try to start it after a couple of minutes, it's as though the battery is flat. Slow to turn over and won't start. But after 10-15 minutes and I try it, it is lively and will start with no problem. And the red light stays out - until revs drop again as before.
If I keep blipping the throttle at junctions etc and keep the revs above 1000 it remains off.
I recently did a 30 mile trip. At home it started fine. The red light came on at a roundabout, about 10 miles from home, and stayed on. After 30 miles I stopped to collect something. I got back in to start it after about 5 minutes, and it would hardly turn over - felt like the battery was flat. I left it for 10 minutes and tried again and it was as lively as ever and started straight away. The red light then stayed off again until the revs dropped at a junction after a few miles. I have put a new 'vehicle' battery in and a new 'leisure' battery in because they were getting weak.
I went to an auto electrician who said it could be the alternator (something to do with the stator). So I've put a new alternator on as well.
No change !
It appears to be charging all right. It always starts. Even after standing a while - just not after the red light has been on. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.