Battery / Starter motor?

[72BUG]

Just went out in the van and it started no problem as usual. Took the dogs for a walk for about an hour, got back in the van, tried to start it and all I got was a single click. Repeated several times, same story. All the lights were working (Headlights and dashboard lights) and weren't dim so I suspected the starter motor had jammed.

Got a friendly local to tow me up the hill we were at the bottom of, rolled down and it bump started no problem. As it was by now almost dark I noticed that the battery light was dimly lit. Ah must be a flat battery after all, I thought. Alternator not charging?

Got back home, turned her off then tried starting again and "Click" same as before. Definately a flat battery then.

This is where I get confused. I took the battery off and put it on the charger and according to the charger reading the battery is almost at full power.

This would again point to a jammed starter motor but then why do I have the battery light glowing when the engine is running? (It's never been on before) Am I just really unlucky and have developed a charging and starter motor problem at the same time? (Unlikely) Or am I missing something? (Highly likely)

[camper]

There is a spade connection on the starter motor that oparates the solonoid.Check the connection to the female wire to it .It can come off or it may be a bad connection or a broken wire to it.

[72BUG]

There is a spade connection on the starter motor that oparates the solonoid.Check the connection to the female wire to it .It can come off or it may be a bad connection or a broken wire to it.

Thanks I'll have a look tomorrow. Would this also cause the battery light to glow?

[kevtherev]

Would this also cause the battery light to glow?

alternator not charging
but you knew that...

It could be numerous reasons why though.
belt tension
poor connections
brush pack fault/worn
regulator/rectifier fault

[kevtherev]

starter
clean up all the contacts properly

and do a search for starter problems

[Cafnod]

Full battery but no turning suggests bad connections or u/s solenoid.
Alternator glowing faintly suggests either brush pack, diode in reg or bad connections.
I am starting to wonder about ignition switch or main battery lead as unlikely starter and alternator both develop a problem at the same time.
If you are in any doubt about alt or starter take them to the local AE and get them put on the rig. If theres an issue you know what it is if there is not then you know its connections or poss igniton switch.Theres not usually a charge for testing.
HTH

[72BUG]

Right we've just whipped the starter motor off.

(When I say whipped off I actually mean crawled round in the rain under the van for an hour trying to figure out how the hell the damn thing undid before finally figuring out we needed to remove the air filter box and undo it from the inside )

And there's a massive amount of play in the shaft. It actually wiggles from side to side about 3/4 of an inch. So I'd say it's a fair assumption that it's pretty well jiggered. It is as I type being whisked away to a local "guru" to be refurbed or if necessary replaced.

Fingers, toes, eyes and everything else crossed that I get it back and re-fitted before the weekend so I don't miss the bonfire do.

As for the charging light issue I will have to see if this is still happening when the starter motor is re fitted. Although I still don't see how the two issues are related other than the fact they both occurred at the same time.

[bigfish]

i had the exact same problem and it turned out to be the earth connector under the drivers seat next to the battery.

I removed the spade connector that attached to the body, cleaned the area underneath the spade, the spade itself and hey presto, good as new...

good luck

bradders

[72BUG]

i had the exact same problem and it turned out to be the earth connector under the drivers seat next to the battery.

I removed the spade connector that attached to the body, cleaned the area underneath the spade, the spade itself and hey presto, good as new...

good luck

bradders

I'll give that a try if the lights still coming on when I get it running again.

Thanks.

[72BUG]

Ok all sorted .

As was suggested the culprit was corroded terminals to the starter motor. Although the starter motor itself was on it's last legs.

Now I have all brand new terminals. A cleaned and refurbed starter motor and I'm ready for the Bonfire bash with bells on.

Big thanks once again to everyone who took the time to read and help out.

[Cafnod]

Anytime

[Nicola&Tony]

Did you replace the bush as well?
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... sh_removal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Tony

[72BUG]

Did you replace the bush as well?
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... sh_removal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Tony

No idea. My mechanic sorted it coz unfortunately a have back problems so I'm physically unable to be crawling about under the van.

Don't know what he did but it starts better than ever.