Starting

[MattyGreg05]

Hi guys and gals. I've got a problm and require your help.

I set off to work for a night shift in my van (1.7 LHD T25 G reg) and stopped off at the shop on the way to get some butties and Red Cow etc.
When i returned to the van and turned the key a nothing happened bar the ignition lights etc coming on.
But the Starter motor didn't even try, there's no sound of it working at all.
Any ideas if this would be an ignition problem or if it would be the started motor goosed??

Cheers

[tonytech]

Possibly the ignition switch. Possibly the connection to the spade connector on the back of the starter motor.
T

[MattyGreg05]

for a while before it failed to start, there was an odd noise for a second after every time the engine started.
would this be a clue to the problem??

[phade]

I think it could be corroded connections at the starter motor end, especially at the solonoid its self. This is a common problem with beetles since water gets splashed up towards the starter motor its self.

Also check the condition of the braided wire from the solonoid to the starter motor. My mexican beetle's one fell to bits and I was literally showered with corroded bits of copper braid !! If the copper braided wire is badly corroded (eg. corroded off) then the only sensible cure is a new starter motor.

[MattyGreg05]

Cheers everyone for the help.
This problem occurred about 4 weeks ago on the way to work , causing me to wait 2 hrs for recovery and taking my last days holiday for the rest of the night off..........and my van's been parked up ever since.
I had assumed that the started motor was buggered so i bought a new one but haven't fitted it yet.

However after taking a look yesterday, i found that it was in fact just a female spade connector that had somehow become disconnected from the male end on the starter itself.
I just plugged it back on and she started with the first turn of the key

So thanks everyone, and may i wish you all the very best for Christmas and New Year.
Matt