Starting problems!

[pi quattro]

Hi, still new to this and now ive come across my first problem

Last weekend van started fine from cold after having been left for a week. Went a drive for at least an hour.

After a 15 min stop, it seemed a bit reluctant to start, but thought nothing of it.
Camped overnight and it wouldn't start in the morning.Got a shove and bump started fine and got home.

This morning battery went flat after a few attempts.Was turning over but not "catching"
I was able to get a jump start but got it running only after quite a few attempts.

Any ides where to start?

P.S. before the hour run last week the fuel was very low, possible that I have drawn some dirt in from the tank?

[kit]

Engine??

[pi quattro]

Thanks! It's in the boot right?

[Footprint]

That meant: 'which type of engine?' As in; Aircooled, watercooled, petrol, diesel, what size etc etc?

The knowing of which will make significant difference to the relevance and specificity of information subsequently supplied.

[ghost123uk]

Whatever engine it has got, if, once running, it drives fine, then it is unlikely to do with running low on fuel.

Camped overnight and it wouldn't start in the morning.
Got a shove and bump started fine and got home.
This morning battery went flat after a few attempts.
Was turning over but not "catching"

Sounds like a classic case of a failing battery.
Suggestion = borrow one from another vehicle and try it.
If that does not work, post back for more suggestions (and yes, tell us what type of engine you have )

[pi quattro]

Hi my apologies, it is a 1.9 petrol. Sure it is a DG. it has a carb.

I am a bit further on today, and a step back. It was at the local garage for something unrelated. I mentioned that I had problems starting and they said that they would have a look.

Got it back and they thought it might be either the ignition barrel or what they called the ignition pack "black box in engine bay" but they wiggled wires and it was running and starting fine.

I drove it about 2 miles and as I pulled into a petrol station, black smoke started pouring out from underneath the steering wheel and the grill!!! ....In a petrol station!!

Looks like some wires have shorted or melted behind the ingnition cowl. I assume this might be the cause of the problem?

[ghost123uk]

the local garage .... they thought it might be either the ignition barrel or what they called the "ignition pack"... they wiggled some wires....

I drove it about 2 miles and as I pulled into a petrol station, black smoke started pouring out from underneath the steering wheel and the grill!!! ....I

And so I assume you rang them, saying "what the heck did you do, you'd better come and look at this!!!!"

"Ignition Pack" indeed, "wiggled some wires" indeed

Don't go back there then (unless it is to get them to sort out the nearly VERY SERIOUS fire that could have occurred !!!!!!!!!!)

So what is the situation with it now ?

[pi quattro]

**Update**

Sorry for the late reply, been away in the van for a wee holiday!

Hi ghost.

Right first of all when I said "wiggled some wires" they were my words. They said that they put a probe in the black box on the side of engine bay and things seemed to work after that. It would be unfair the run the garage down for "wiggling wires" it was me that called it the ignition pack too!

The garage picked it up and after a thorough investigation the problem was traced to a old alarm system that was now defunct. The garage made it safe as we were intending to go on a break the next day. They fixed it for nowt as a goodwill gesture.

I was concerned that they had caused the trouble but I'm not sure that they could have. They mentioned that sometimes when turning it over, it would catch just as the key was released off again. Indicating a fault perhaps with the ignition thingy on the steering column. That was as far as they went with looking at it up front. Most attention was paid to the engine bay.

It is a 26 year old car and these things happen is my attitude to it. I have agreed that they will take it back in soon to tidy up the wiring.

We went off with kids for a few days at Blair Drummond (5 days three kids, snow.. Another story) and only once it didn't start, but started immediately with a bump. So looks like the ignition switch, perhaps the amplifier.

I might get a replacement ignition switch and give it a go, i understand it is an easy job.