Seized Engine.......the signs?

[ding-dang-dhu]

Hello folks,

After my trouble with the engine in my van (1.9 water 5 speed DG ) when steam was produced i tried yesterday to start it. I charged the battery for most of the day and even tried to jump start it. It won't even try to start. The battery is 9 months old and it was given a winter service less than a month ago.

Has it seized? What would the signs be if it has. The battery light and the temp gauge flash as they normaly do, and the fan comes on. But when I turn the key they all go off and its all quiet. Petrol is flowing into the filter in the engine bay....

Any suggestions would be greatfully recieved,

Pete

[mrhutch]

does the solenoid on the starter click?

[Fingle]

Lightly tap around the starter motor, sometimes it gets a little seized up (esp in the cold)

Had the same problem in my golf

[billy739]

can you turn it over by hand? if not is still may be the starter jammed.

remove starter and try turning it

quite rare for an engine to 'seize'

[kevtherev]

put a big spanner to the big nut on the crank pulley
Sounds as if the starter motor is stuck or has a sticky solenoid, or even a bad earth/connections

[Nicola&Tony]

. . . Petrol is flowing into the filter in the engine bay....

How many fuel filters has your van got Pete?

Tony

[ding-dang-dhu]

. . . Petrol is flowing into the filter in the engine bay....

How many fuel filters has your van got Pete?

Tony

Good question Tony........

I have one of those plastic jobs in the engine bay, don't you? Is that unique?

Thanks for the help guys, will give it a 'bash' as it were.....

Pete

[kevtherev]

should only need one pete.
have a look next to the fuel tank (Drivers side) and see if you have one there too.

[Nicola&Tony]

I have one of those plastic jobs in the engine bay, don't you? Is that unique?

Sounds like you might have an extra filter then. This has been a source of problems for others on here in the past iirc. As others have said above though, sounds like your main problem could lie with starter motor, its connections, or your ignition switch.

Tony

[ding-dang-dhu]

Big smiles from here.

After giving all connections a wee clean up and the starter a whack, I was able to get the van home from work without any hassle.

I couldn't help but smile as i was buffeted all over the road in a gusty wind.......vw camper love in full effect.

Its looking rather tatty and unloved but its driving, next stop my mechanic mate to do some bits and bobs. Then a bit over rollering here and there (well all over really) and we will be ready for Volfsfling......

Thanks to all for the help,

Pete

[kevtherev]

camper love back atcha

[rollo]

Lightly tap around the starter motor, sometimes it gets a little seized up (esp in the cold)

Had the same problem in my golf

This usually indicates the brushes are worn out and will happen again. The tapping helps the spring remake the contact and can be a good warning of further trouble, not difficult to change though.

[ding-dang-dhu]

Can it be reconditioned or does it need to be replaced, the starter?

I did notice it didn't do its usual stall at roundabouts (not always but sometimes) and that once it had been running for a while it sounded much better.