Won't start after longish drive...

[Helga]

Hi, well I have had my first proper long holiday in my van, and all went really well, 1000 almost trouble free miles, but had one small problem...

My 82 Aircooled 2 litre drives well, but after you have been driving for a couple of hours and stop, she WON'T retart until she has cooled down, you turn the key and there is NOTHING, not even an attempt, the lights come on on the dash but there is simply no life at all... leave her an hour and she starts first time again...

Any ideas?

[Aidan]

starter motor solenoid perhaps, won't work when hot and will when cold(er), try tapping it with butt of hammer handle, if that works it's only temporary get a refurbed one or get your starter refurbed locally

[kevtherev]

Mine did this for ages..
got fed up of belting it with a hammer so I bought a new starter

[alkers]

Hi, have almost exactly the same prob. After 2hours drive, won't start again. Mine also conks out if I come to a stop say at traffic lights etc., but will start if try again straight away. If I pull over and want to try again in 10mins, no go. However, it will work if I put my foot on the gas and THEN turn the ignition. So thinking it is some fuel issue, maybe flooding. My starter motor was replaced recently (apparently was done before I bought... so they say!). I think if you hear a click when you turn the key, the starter motor is working ok(?)

Mine is also a 1982 Aircooled 2litre petrol.

Have posted issue also, and someone suggested checking the spark plugs as these can give you an idea of fuel consumption by the colour. But you need a special tool to remove them!

[Helga]

Hmmn... petrol issue... but does yours TRY and start Alkers? You see mine won't even try... totally dead, so I think Kev might have it right... is a starter easy to change? Would I need a whole starter or just the solonoid? Is there anyway \i could check if this was the problem?

Thanks!

[Helga]

Oh, another thing to add: there was an rac man at the last place my van had to have a rest and he had a quick check and said there was only about 6/7 volts getting to the starter... would that cause the same problem? If so, what might be causing that?

Thanks.

[alkers]

Hi again. No mine didn't make any noise. Oil light came on when I turned the key, but no engine effort. No sound. After a couple of turns, I would get a little effort made after a few seconds, but wouldn't start. However if I put the foot on the accelerator - to the floor- FIRST, then turned the key it would start with full power (and prob a billow of smoke from the rear - but I couldn't see that so none the wiser!!).

Have been looking through my Haynes Manual and it says... Difficult starting when hot:

Faulty or sticking auto choke or linkage
Dirty or choked air cleaners
Float chamber flooding
Carburettor idle settings incorrect
Fuel tank empty or pump defective.

My plan is to change the spark plugs and air filter and see if carbs are working OK. Am confident I can manage plugs and filters, but no nothing about carburettors!!

Not sure what voltage is required. But isn't voltage to do with the alternator?

However I have just had my alternator recon, and although it WAS faulty, my problem still exists.

[camperclan]

Been having similar problems with ours 1983 2 litre a/c very random no starting hot or cold,found when fault occurs only 7 or 8 volts at ignition switch,connect jump wire from battery to ignition switch starts every time.Confidently changed the switch.....still the same cut a long story short ended up playing with fuse box tightened up connections including battery ones found nothing for sure but it's been fine for a few days now.....probably famous last words......Nick.