1985 T25 1.6 Diesel Wont Start!!! Aaggghhh

[Tilly1]

Hi there, we bought a 1985 T25 1.6 diesel a few months ago. since then it has started on and off all the time. Sometimes fine will drive for 45 mins, stop and then wont start again. Always starts from being jumped. Our last voyage the water hose split over heating it and blowed the diesel pipe also. The AA man tested the battery and said we could probably do with a new one as the one on it was small. The van before we purchased it had been left standing for over 6 months through the snow and winter. He also tested the alternator and said that was fine. We bought a new 72 ah battery today. Fitted it and nothing! The lights on the dash on coming on when turning the key. PLEASE HELP!!!!! SOOOOO FRUSTRATING!!!! Many thanks Debbie

[weldore]

make sure you didnt miss any connections on the new battery ..it sounds like the old battery was a duff

did you mean the dash lights ARNT coming on when you turn the key ?

[Tilly1]

No the dash lights ARE coming on when we turn the key, just nothing from the engine lol!!!

[weldore]

ok first thing is to check the starter...theres a big wire going to it from the battery and a smaller one that is just a plug in one next to the one from the battery(both on the solenoid)
pull this smaller connection off and check the condition of the plug..give it a clean up if its grubby,then while its off get a multimeter(if you have one) and see if your getting 12 volts to it..you will need someone to turn the key to the starting position when your testing it

try that first..if you have voltage then plug it back in and try again..if you dont have a multimeter then clean it and just plug it back on and try it

check the wire to the plug for corrosion and replace the plug if its crackered

[weldore]

oh and while your there test the battery for 12 volts with your multimeter(if you have one)

[Tilly1]

ok thats fantastic ill try it tomorrow nite and ill get back to you to let you know what happens fingers crossed thanks deb and kev

[weldore]

how good are you with mechanics?
if it doesnt work would you be able to take the starter off ?
thing is..if you have power to the small wire when you turn the key all the way and all the connections are ok then you need to check another small wire on the starter but you need to remove it really to check it

[kit]

Also check the earth to the battery tray is making a good connection, as Weldor says it does sound like battery connections.

[Tilly1]

Many thanks but How do we check if the earth is making connection to the battery tray? where is it? lol redgards debbie

[ermie571]

find the battery
it has 2 terminals, one marked + and red lead, the other - and with black cable, or plaited silver lead. thats your negative. follow it to where it goes to the bodywork....underdo the bolt, clean up the body work and bolt. get rid of rust....wd40 or sandpaper....reconnect.

Em
xx

[weldore]

the minus (-) on the battery is (usually) connected under the plate that holds the battery in by a very thick wire

well it is on mine

did you try the other things?

also have you got a set of jump leads ???? connect one of them to the minus(-) on the battery and the other end to the bell housing on the gearbox and see if it starts up...if it does then its an earth fault..proberbly

E D I T...as Ermie says ..give connections a good clean

[Tilly1]

Hi!!!!!! Huzzzaaarrr Bertie has started !!!! Thank you so much for your help! We re checked the connections on the battery all looked fine. We pulled the small connector off the starter motor it was a bit rusty so rubbed it clean reattached. Still wouldnt start. We did notice a water leak off the main radiator pipe that runs from one end of the van to the other???? Just another thing that needs sorting!!! So we jumped started it, started first time and every time thereafter (about 6 times) we have taken it out for 45 mins loads of black smoke lol but no change there - cleared after about 25 mins. Perhaps the new battery just needed bringing to life? I dont know? Wish we did lol My other half is a builder not a mechanic and although he knows whats what basics 25 year old campers is another matter - very frustrating !!!mlol So tomorrow morning well give it a try and see what happens. Ill let you know! Many thanks again.

[weldore]

you know where you checked the small connector onto the starter..well that part of the starter is called the solenoid.if you noticed the body of the solenoid is round.if you carry a set of jump leads with you..the next time it wont start ,just attach one of the jump leads to the minus on the battery and the other end onto that round body of the solenoid and see if it starts up.
if it does it again come back to this thread and we'll investigate further..ok

[Tilly1]

Aaaah thank you so much, thats really kind of you! Since weve had Bertie weve bought some jump leads mlol and theyve been usued on nearly trip. Im crossing my fingers for the start up in the morning and see what occurs. Thanks again Debbie

[Adama1979]

I had the same problem with exactly the same van (1.6D CS). Turned out it was the battery buy I tried everything like the alternator, tensions on the belts etc. Turned out to be all those things plus connections. I did make sure I had a heavy duty battery though.

Hope thing are getting better with it. Even when a van's dead it's still fun to sit in the back and dream.

Adam