This was also unsuccessful - no fuel coming through at all. It was at this point that Gail observed that the indicator lights on the instrument panel were not illuminating when the ignition was on, therefore I assumed there was no glow plug voltage to start the engine.
My next step was to check all fuses - all appeared to be ok, so out came the workshop manual. Under the trouble shooting section it pointed to an item called a "fuseable link", which initially I had trouble locating. We had now been stopped for an hour when the first passing motorist stopped to see if he could asssist, followed minutes later by a policeman. The policeman informed us that the nearest RACQ depot was in Quilpie (180 km away). The motorist had a satellite phone so the policeman used it to call his office in Quilpie and request them to organise the RACQ to attend. As we were about two and a half hours from Quilpie we expected quite a delay. Then came the bad news, the police staion rang back on our good samaritan's satellite phone to advise that the RACQ "man" was on holidays - stiff shit..
As the policeman had already departed, our good samaritan offered to see what he could organise when he passed through Quilpie. Bear in mind we had no communications, even our HF radio could not raise anyone - great. So here we are not knowing when help would arrive or whether in fact it would arrive at all. Several passing vehicles (wrong direction) stoped to inquire and we advised them that help was on the way - we thought, silly us.
I kept working through everything I could, then eventually examined the circuit diagrams in the workshop manual. Discovered that there were four possible fuses/fuseable links that could cause glow plug voltage failure. So this time with the aid of my multimeter I proceeded to recheck all fuses etc.
Bingo, one small fuse was in fact faulty. Replaced it, instrument lights and glow plug now work. Press starter and would you believe - motor started, after a 7-1/2 hour stop. As it was now 5:15pm we rapidly packed up tools etc and headed off to try and cover 180km to Quilpie where we were booked in for 2 nights. One of our doors was not shut so I stopped while Gail closed the tailgate, then as we started to move off the engine stalled again, same problem, this time I went straight to the faulty fuse, blown again, replaced it and away we went again.
The drive to Quilpie took us over 2-1/2 hours, an absolute nightmare the whole way, what between wondering if we would stop again and the kangaroos, pigs, emus and cattle on or crossing the road. The last 1-3/4 hours being in darkness, but we were keen to press on and reach our destination while we were still moving.
Take it from us - anyone who willingly travels on remote roads at dusk and beyond is definately mad.
It was after 8pm when we eventually reached Quilpie and the caravan park. We were then shocked to learn that the policeman had not advised the caravan park of our situation, despite the fact that we had requested him to do so and given him our name.
A hot artesian spa at the CP then something to eat rounded out the day we would prefer to forget.
I still have to find the cause of the blowing fuses - that's another story for another day, but tomorrow we go on our planned adventure. That is to accompany the Quilpie mailman on his 500km round trip delivering mail and parcels to remote cattle stations - also another story.
Until then, cheers to all.
Kevin and Gail.
View a small sample of our trip photos at:
www.picasaweb.google.com/kevinh055
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