Van's not starting

[binka]

and I don't know why!

I don't think its the battery as its turning over, though I've connected a battery charger to see if that helps. I haven't driven the van for 2 months.

What else do I need to be looking at? Its meant to be getting MOT'd tomorrow and at this rate I'm worried we won't even get there.

[binka]

Its diesel if that makes any difference. <clueless>

[armyphil]

fuel if you havent started it for a while maybe it may have drained bacxk down the lines??

electrical see if your getting current to your fuel cut off it may be the connector has corroded or fallen off?

is it turning over like it used to quickly and possitivly??

what type of diesel engine??

[T'Onion]

Is the glow plug light coming on and going off ?
Like Phil says if the fuel has drained back it will take a while cranking it over to get it started

[binka]

Its a 1.9 diesel (not turbo)

The glow plug light comes on then goes off.

Where do I find the fuel cut off?

If its fuel if I just keep trying should it work? It sounds more sluggish than normal.

[fullsunian]

Sounds like its just not turning over fast enough to start, put battery on charge and retry or borrow a jump pack and try again.
Don't worry about tomorrow, just let me know
IAN

[binka]

Will try a jump start when hubby gets home this evening.

[Doctor Foster]

Will try a jump start when hubby gets home this evening.

oo er missus

[binka]

Hubby says its best to wait till morning so if it goes I can drive it straight to MOT. So no jump start for me tonight.

Ian I'll ring you in the morning if its going to be a no show but I'm hoping it'll be OK. I ran the battery charger for 4 hours but then had to go out. I tried it after 4 hours and though it didn't start it sounded better. Fingers crossed.

[toolsntat]

Could this be an earthing problem??
The way I started mine with a earthing problem was to use a long lead (a thick jump lead as it happens) and connect straight from the negative of the battery (still with earth connected) to the case of the engine and it spun like a good un

The faulty earth was the braided cable that connects the gearbox to the chassis

Andy

[binka]

Still not starting. Its not the battery as jump start not worked. There is quite a bit of white smoke coming out exhaust.

[andisnewsyncro]

Could this be an earthing problem??
The way I started mine with a earthing problem was to use a long lead (a thick jump lead as it happens) and connect straight from the negative of the battery (still with earth connected) to the case of the engine and it spun like a good un

The faulty earth was the braided cable that connects the gearbox to the chassis

Andy

Sounds a possibility, I had a series 3 Landy that would only start from cold with an extra earth

[binka]

Have tried the extra earth - no luck. Hubby reckons the white smoke is unburnt diesel so could it be a compression problem?


Battery is fine - have got a gadget that measures it and its got 12v.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Sounds like the usual glow plugs not working scenario.

[binka]

Would damp start spray be worth a try?