Went to gag back in my van today, turned the key and nothing happened. All electrics worked, no dim lights when trying to start. Recovery came out, nothing with a jump start. Hooked me up and toed me and it started. Has started perfect 10 times since...... Any ideas??
Van- full lights but no turnover
- Thread starter burts
- Start date
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Probably a poor connection on the starter motor mate....there will be two wires - one a big thick one direct from the battery, and one much thinner one that comes from the ignition switch to energise the solenoid that causes the starter to spin.
However.....this wouldn't prevent a tow start, so did the recovery guy mention anything about an immobiliser?
John
However.....this wouldn't prevent a tow start, so did the recovery guy mention anything about an immobiliser?
John
Wouldn't prevent a tow start?
I didn't have much faith in him because he couldn't tell me where my starter motor was... He did however after try jumping it say, "it sounds like your immobiliser is stuck"
You know my van by now john ! Combo. Can I access the starter to check cables? Surely a tow start wouldn't make it work. How does an immobiliser get stuck?
I didn't have much faith in him because he couldn't tell me where my starter motor was... He did however after try jumping it say, "it sounds like your immobiliser is stuck"
You know my van by now john ! Combo. Can I access the starter to check cables? Surely a tow start wouldn't make it work. How does an immobiliser get stuck?
An immobiliser system effectively prevents the fuel injection pump from allowing fuel to pass to the injectors....a tow start bypasses the starter motor, but not the immobiliser.
Often enough, the immobiliser comprises of your ignition key which contains a passive electronic chip, and a receiver on the ignition switch which recognises the key.
A battery that is low on power may give the immobiliser a hard time.....if the battery seems ok, it's worth trying the spare key if you have one.
The van must be driving you nuts by now.....
John
Often enough, the immobiliser comprises of your ignition key which contains a passive electronic chip, and a receiver on the ignition switch which recognises the key.
A battery that is low on power may give the immobiliser a hard time.....if the battery seems ok, it's worth trying the spare key if you have one.
The van must be driving you nuts by now.....
John
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HaHa John I paid £1200 for it just over 3 years ago, apart from things that would require replacing on a van that age its been a decent van which is why I purse with it. The other problems with the engine lights never caused any performance issues, I just wanted to get to the bottom of it whilst had spare time.
So we can say that it is impossible that it was an immobiliser issue as it started within seconds of being towed, if it was then the tow would have made no difference at all. The started motor was changed about 2 years ago, even when it went it always tried starting. I put multimeter across the battery and had 12.6 v. Cant have been the battery as it never done anything with a jump start. Can starter motors get stuck? Is there a switch that can get stuck?
I noticed the coiled spring light wasn't coming on when I turned the ignition, which it does in the morning. That's the glow plugs right??? I have been turning it 3 times before turning over as the cold has been prolonging starts. Surely a 2 year old started don't go?
So we can say that it is impossible that it was an immobiliser issue as it started within seconds of being towed, if it was then the tow would have made no difference at all. The started motor was changed about 2 years ago, even when it went it always tried starting. I put multimeter across the battery and had 12.6 v. Cant have been the battery as it never done anything with a jump start. Can starter motors get stuck? Is there a switch that can get stuck?
I noticed the coiled spring light wasn't coming on when I turned the ignition, which it does in the morning. That's the glow plugs right??? I have been turning it 3 times before turning over as the cold has been prolonging starts. Surely a 2 year old started don't go?
Ah right, so what you are saying : the van wouldn't go when a donor battery was connected, but it did start when towed.....is that correct?
That brings us back to the starter connections, as I referred to in my first reply. Despite the starter being only 2 years old, we need to know if it was a brand new one or a replacement or reconditioned unit.....unfortunately, not all parts are replaced on a recon unit so it's a bit of guesswork there.
I'm a bit intrigued about the non appearance of the glow plug light though, I have to say! Let's see what happens during the next few days - it's bloody awful trying to trace faults that aren't showing!
John
That brings us back to the starter connections, as I referred to in my first reply. Despite the starter being only 2 years old, we need to know if it was a brand new one or a replacement or reconditioned unit.....unfortunately, not all parts are replaced on a recon unit so it's a bit of guesswork there.
I'm a bit intrigued about the non appearance of the glow plug light though, I have to say! Let's see what happens during the next few days - it's bloody awful trying to trace faults that aren't showing!
John
Exactly that, he connected a battery unit and it did not start, only started when towed.
So.... The fact that it started 10 times after should eliminate the actual starter itself, the reasoning being... If it was so weak not to even turn once, it would suddenly start working again. As far as I'm aware, it was a brand new starter motor.
The glow plug light is strange, I thought it should come on every time.
If it happens again, to rock start it, do I need to have clutch down and it in gear?
So.... The fact that it started 10 times after should eliminate the actual starter itself, the reasoning being... If it was so weak not to even turn once, it would suddenly start working again. As far as I'm aware, it was a brand new starter motor.
The glow plug light is strange, I thought it should come on every time.
If it happens again, to rock start it, do I need to have clutch down and it in gear?
The technique you mention there comes from the old days, when an inertia starter motor would jam in the flywheel ring gear, and rocking the car in gear would free it.....not relevant anymore, I'm afraid! Time to get to the starter connections, at the back of the engine, low down.
John
John
I had a mechanic trying to rock start it before so I assumed that was a method don't want to be pushing it down the road on me own and not being able to get it back parked. So all I've mentioned just seems like a bad connection.
Can I get to all the wiring without disconnecting things? Where is the wiring to starter motor..... From underneath on the same side as the battery?
Can I get to all the wiring without disconnecting things? Where is the wiring to starter motor..... From underneath on the same side as the battery?
I think the starter is down at the back of the engine, connections on top - not the most hospitable place to get at! Sometimes its best to shift the battery and its tray, sometimes the air cleaner....it depends on vehicle to vehicle.
John
John
So my van replicated the fault again. This time I could start with push start.... But I had it on 1st gear. I did get it started, put it in 4th and rolled it back a bit.....???? Reasons?
Can't get to the starter motor at all to check connections. Think it's under the oil filter and needs fuel filter and water tank removed did however notice a lot of oil over it.
Can't get to the starter motor at all to check connections. Think it's under the oil filter and needs fuel filter and water tank removed did however notice a lot of oil over it.
Believe it or not, when an engine is switched off, it comes to rest in one of two positions - effectively due to the compression of the cylinders.
Therefore, the starter ring gear gets more worn in those two areas which could be why your van is huffy.
I think you need to get that starter out, really - although it sounds a right PITA to get to.
What sort of mileage are we dealing with here?
John
Therefore, the starter ring gear gets more worn in those two areas which could be why your van is huffy.
I think you need to get that starter out, really - although it sounds a right PITA to get to.
What sort of mileage are we dealing with here?
John
Starter, or connections, or (possibly) the switch. I had the switch go on a Passat I owned.
Does the vehicle have a relay for the starter circuit? If so check that's plugged in properly and working.
Just because the starter is only 2 years old doesn't mean it's not the problem unfortunately.
Does the vehicle have a relay for the starter circuit? If so check that's plugged in properly and working.
Just because the starter is only 2 years old doesn't mean it's not the problem unfortunately.
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