Starting problem - lpg?

[Donald360]

Hi Folks,

Newbie here looking for some expert advice. My recently bought T25 has suddenly decided it does not want to start! It has a 1.9 water cooled petrol engine with an autogas conversion. There is a wee switch under the dash which switches from gas to petrol operation, it is set for gas at the moment and in the past has started up no bother. Does the engine need to be running to switch across from one fuel to the other?

Anyway, what normally should happen is that I click the ignition key to the first position and a red light flashes (situated in with the temp guage) for about ten seconds, then it goes out and I turn the ignition key fully and the van fires up no problem.

However, suddenly what happens when I turn the ignition to the first position now is that the red light just keeps on flashing and doesn't stop. When I try to start the engine the light goes out but nothing else happens. There is a sound of a couple of relays closing after the first click and sometimes what sounds like the gas system 'charging' itself. There seems to be no power going to the starter motor as it isn't even trying to engage and there seems to be plenty of juice in the battery.

I am not a mechanic, but have sorted various motor bits and bobs in my time. However vehicle electrics have always been a bit of a dark art and campervan electrics...! Judging by the spaghetti behind the dash and around the batteries, the whole lot could do with an expert overhaul, but anyway. As for LPG systems, they are a complete unknown for me and I would have to take it to an expert if that is what it turns out to be.

I'm hoping that all, or some, of this sounds familiar to some of you, and that an easy solution can be found. It's typical, I've just finished putting the interior together and had booked the van into the garage to get a full service and new front discs (and bearings) put in. Of course that's when it decides not to start.

Thanks for your attention,
Donald.

[toomanytoys]

If no power is going to the starter and its not turning the engine then how could it be the LPG system??? The LPG system only detects if the ignition is on, engine running and which valves to open/close depending on where the switch is..

SO either the "start" feed to the starter solenoid has corroded away and fell off, or the starter is duff.. or poss the ignition switch has a fault... or perhaps the wiring...

the lights on the dash staying on could indicate an earth or wiring problem but difficult to diagnose it over the net...

Any alarm/immobiliser fitted??

[Donald360]

No alarm or immobiliser fitted. At least your reply helps rule out a fault with the lpg system, which is a relief. Sounds like its a basic electrical problem. Still trying to find my way around the flat four engine, but will look and see if anything obvious has come adrift.

Cheers,
Donald.