help cant get van to start

[..lee..]

have you tried briging the posts. you may have faulty ign switch. go through it as i suggested and you wont go wrong.

[sandwedge]

Lee I will give it a go tomorrow.

[syncropaddy]

Just hit it a few times ...... its a syncro thing!

[hotpod]

the rain could be a red herring. it could easily be the ignition switch. sometimes they just seem to need a little extra twist clockwise or even a bit of teasing.
you can pull the connector of the bottom and hotwire it to check.
the bridging the posts thing is the quickest way to check the solenoid but not always easy to know/see if you have made a good connection. and if you are inderneath the van when trying it please make sure the van isnt in gear.
my little brother turned up in his first kombi a while back complaing that it wouldnt start. i whipped the engine lid off, and told him to turn the key whilst i gave the solenoid a good whack with my persuader. he thought i was joking but it started straight away. i told him it was standard procedure.
but it does seem to work best when someone is turning the key when you whack it.
either way, if it is solenoid or switch, it is time for new.

[Syncrobaz]

My mv plays up at times,new battery didn't help,previous owner fitted a start button on the dash cos of ignition/start switch gremlins which works fine plus it doubles up as a basic immobiliser!! still got to give solenoid a TAP occasionaly but has never let me down YET!! guess the solenoid contact has 'corroded' due to high voltage,would like to take starter off and refurbish but it's a PAIN so I keep my persuading stick to hand!! good luck!

[lughole]

have you tryed bump starting the van?

neil

If you do this remember Not to do it in G as it will do your gear box in.

jed

really?
thats worth knowing...

[..lee..]

been heard of. g and rev very low geared.

[Syncrobaz]

Dont tow or bump start cos you could damage vc and/or g.box???

[sandwedge]

Now Ive fixed my broken gear stick, I will get under the van tomorrow and see it I can get the starter to spin by bridging to the signal terminal from the starter as suggested by Lee, I have done this on another vehicle years ago using rubber handled pliers and a 2p coin.
If that dont work then I will be having fun getting my eyes full of dried cow pat and north wales mud .
Paul dont worry Matilda is going to be kept under the rear seat I dont think I will need her again as the new gear stick is one of the solid shaft ones from Simon B. Maybe one day matilda will find a new how and another grateful owner.
Will let you all know how I get on tomorrow, starting to have a hankering to go green laneing again.

[syncropaddy]

Dont tow or bump start cos you could damage vc and/or g.box???

Please dont tell that to either of my Syncros .......

Never bump start in reverse or G as you run the risk of bursting your box! Tow starting in second/third is fine

Have you hit the starter a few smacks yet??

[jed the spread]

A fella called Matt shagged his gear box once while bump starting it in G, It just ended up in bits.

jed

[sandwedge]

Van now starting fine, took starter off opened it up emptied water out cleaned communicator and brushes, siliconed the joints and refitted, now start first turn of the key each time.
I can only think the water was causing a short.

[silverbullet]

Good news all round! I've got the carb back on mine and gave it a good run-up
Very tappetty though, it's been stood for too long...now I have a garage full of immoblized, carb-less Caravelle which is also full up with contents of said garage
But I've got a running syncro!!!