Inconsistent problems starting my van - any ideas ?

Post by **ringo** » 08 May 2006, 12:05

Hi,

My van has been out of action for 10 weeks while it got fixed by a very slow mechanic. Anyway, i was worried that having it sat around for 10 weeks would bring me no end of problems......

When i start my van i get a click from the starter motor but it doesn't turn.
This doesn't happen all the time. When it is cold it tends to start but when it is hot i sometimes can't start the van at all.

Knackered starter motor ? Electrics ? Has anyone experienced the same ?

Thanks in advance

Ringo

Post by **ermie571** » 08 May 2006, 12:33

Yep.

sometimes nowt at all

sometines click then nowt

sometimes fire first time!!

Easy cure for the click, then nowt...roll the van forward a bit - worked for me.

replaced starter - no real change

replaced starter motor bush...hey presto, no starting problems!!!

Emma

Post by **ringo** » 08 May 2006, 12:48

Thanks Emma - sounds like i have the same problem as you did!

Starter motor bush eh ? Very interesting.

Whats a starter motor bush then ?

Its this:

http://217.29.195.146/FMPro?-db=wproduc ... 992&-find=

But what does that do ? Fit inbetween your starter motor and gearbox ?

However, i like the price of this very much!!

Post by **Don-Tucker** » 08 May 2006, 15:28

I had this,I bet it's the starter motor solenoid,the round bit on top of the motor, I changed mine and it was the end of my problem,I suspected the ingition switch and all sorts but that's what it was,but first check your battery connections.
Don

Post by **ermie571** » 08 May 2006, 16:38

Hi again,
Don has a good point - but I did do the solenoid thingy first, and checked all the earth leads...to no avail!

Pulled the bush out in little bits - it had disintegrated.

In laymans terms (coz I'm no mechanic) the bush allows the electrickery to flow from the battery to the starter to the flywheel which turns the engine (or something like that). Without the bush, there is a break in the circuit, and you get nowt.

Hope its the solenoid connections, coz that is an easy peasy fix!! Oh - don't forget the vaseline when you put the connectors back - stops the rust, apparently, and helps conductivity too i think.

I had lots of starting problems - which gradually went from intermittent to damn lucky if she started!

Good luck...start with the easy and work up!

(if you change the bush, buy two, and leave in engine oil overnight. This was advice given to me and it worked well.)

Emma

Post by **Mocki** » 08 May 2006, 16:52

ermie571 wrote:In laymans terms (coz I'm no mechanic) the bush allows the electrickery to flow from the battery to the starter to the flywheel which turns the engine (or something like that). Without the bush, there is a break in the circuit, and you get nowt.

Emma

no, no, no, the bushing is just a bearing, without it the shaft jams, it has nothing to do with the elastic-trickery........... the face of the starter motor where it joins the bell housing is important as it forms part of the neg connection........so clean it up whilst you have the starter motor off.......

Post by **ermie571** » 08 May 2006, 17:02

Thanks Mocki - I stand corrected!!! Learn sommat new every day!

Emma

Post by **ringo** » 09 May 2006, 09:56

Thanks guys.

I will start with the electric connections first. The battery connections were solid but i will check them too.

It kind of sounds like the solenoid is working - it makes a large sound when the key is turned. Trouble is, it wont turn after that.

My Dad suggested i jump start the starter - if this works it may well pin point an electrical fault.

Post by **dazzzer1** » 10 May 2006, 06:02

remember while you are playing that the starter has a constant live feed, so id disconnect the battery b4 you start the clean up operation