HELP! On the Road, van won't shut off!

[Mr. Fuji]

Just drove from Coombs to Merritt, stopped for gas and the engine won't shut off. Any advice? The CCA number has no answer.

Please text/call 403.807.5929 with help!

[Mr. Fuji]

Key is out, van is in park...will not shut down!

[Feds]

Take the air filter out, use a pie plate, or a plastic lid, or a rag, or a garbage bag or something to block the pipe into the engine. hold on tight to make sure it doesn't get sucked in.

No air, no run.

[Feds]

I'm assuming this is a diesel, not a gasser. For a gasser you're going to have to find and pull the fuel pump fuse.

[Mr. Fuji]

This is a gasser, L400 just picked up from CCA today

I'll try the fuel pump,

[Mr. Fuji]

This is tough: everything is in Japanese, and the only tool in the van is the onedoing the driving

[Mr. Fuji]

Managed to turn it off, and will let things cool down.
My first day with the Delica will likely include a night on the seats!

Please continue to provide any advice.

[Growlerbearnz]

Diesel engines have all sorts of things that can go wrong where they won't turn off, but gas- not so much.

Usually I'd say "Does it have a turbo timer", but being a gas engine it's unlikely. (It doesn't have a turbo timer, does it?)

When you turned the ignition off and removed the key, did the stereo turn off? I've seen cars where the ignition key was loose, and it was possible to turn and remove the key without engaging the switch. The usual solution to that one is to push the key in firmly while turning it.

[Mr. Fuji]

Problem solved. It's embarrassing, but I never checked the headlight switch.

I'm not exactly sure how, but it appears that the DRL circuit -that makes the headlights go on when the engine is running- also prevents the engine from turning off when the headlights are on. I know that I turned the headlights on in a tunnel and when I stopped for gas I didn't turn them off.

I tested this by restarting the van and then turning on the lights... I removed the key and the engine stayed on! When I clicked the headlights off the engine turned off.

Sometimes it's the simplest answer that explains everything.

[macro]

I know Coombs wires them in that way sometimes to prevent you from walking away with your headlights on. Guess they forgot to mention that!

[DexterH]

This was interesting but glad to know it was a safety feature designed/installed by the manufacturer. My 1999 model L300 isnt equipped with that but if for some unknown reason your diesel engine wont shut off, the quickest way to do so would be to disconnect the solenoid thats located on the pump. It would have some sort of spade clip connection usually single wire and easy to disconnect. Assuming ofcorse you cant locate the fuse or read Japanese/Chinese etc to allow you to locate it.
This just a temporary means till the problem is troubleshooted and rectified.