Broken down in Nairn, Sctoland

[Negativegravity]

So, pulled up on the way up here at a garage for fuel. Went to start up agaIn and got the "click click nothing". Tried another 2 times and started on the 3rd attempt.

Drove the rest of the way up to Banff and then pulled up for a surf. Went to drive off later and "click click nothing". Tried numerous things with no avail. Whipped out everything in the engine bay and tested battery volts. 12.3v - a little low? Got jump leads and tried to jump - rose to 14.45 so battery is ok? Eventually diagnosed the problem as the starter motor.

Got the local garage round and they agreed. They couldn't see me on Friday an were closed (like everywhere else) over the weekend. They bump started us ad we managed to finish our journey to Nairn for a wedding which is today.

So my question is - what on earth can I do to get home on Sunday? We have to drop off friends in Perth on our way home to Newcastle. We're parked on a hill so should be able to bump start easily enough, but what about re-fuelling? Will I be ok to keep the engine running in the station as I'm diesel if I seek owners permission? I have break down cover but that would mean not being able to drop friends off...


Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated (I already tried wacking the motor with a hammer)
Ta,
Adam

[armyphil]

Clean up all the earth points first, it could possibly be just some corrosion

[ghost123uk]

When you say "Click Click" do you mean you get 2 clicks when you turn the key ?

1 noticeable click from the starter (well solenoid actually) but no action from the starter does indicate a duff starter or a duff connection from the very heavy lead from the solenoid to the starter. It is certainly worth checking the connections on ALL the very heavy cables :- Battery earth to bodywork, Battery live to solenoid, solenoid to starter and the earth from the engine case to the bodywork / (chassis). Reason = a poor connection anywhere in that chain can allow the solenoid to work but prevent enough power to operate the actual starter motor.

2 clicks however can be a duff battery. = The solenoid clicks in then immediately out again (2 clicks) as the voltage drops. Try borrowing a battery from a mates car, temporarily to test, - check the +ve and -ve posts are the same way round as yours as a mistake there could be disastrous

I cannot see a problem re-fueling a Diesel with the motor running. Personally I would NOT ask permission as they will be obliged to say NO ! Just fill it up running, they can't do anything about it after the deed is done !

[Negativegravity]

Thanks, I checked all leads except from solonoid to starter. I'll be honnest - I'm pretty certain on what all the other cables are, but not sure which is the solonoid to starter. This is all a learning curve for me and would be greatful if you could describe it for me? I know which the starter motor is but not the solonoid.

It is just the one click, I got carried away with my description :-/

Ok, I'll give it another look over. May be a case of bump starting to get home then?! Good point with keeping the engine running though...

Thanks

[ghost123uk]

NOTE = IMPORTANT, when checking cables around the starter DISCONNECT the battery. If you do not you risk serious damage to you or your van if a spanner shorts to earth when on the cable nuts !

The solenoid is mounted on the actual starter and therefore the cable is only very short indeed. It goes from one of the two cable studs and nuts on the solenoid to the big cable stud and nut on the starter motor itself.

[Tug]

Not the best solution...but carry have you got a broom handle of something as long with you..My starter gave way 4 weeks ago. Im handy with the spanners but resorted to calling the RAC as thats what I pay them for..Funnily enough he used to work in a VW Dealer at the time that vw T25 were for sale..he took one look tested the volts at the battery 12.5v and said its the starter jamming..He grabbed his 3 feet breaker bar and tapped the starter (Access through 0/s rear wheel arch..I turned the key and hey presto..it started.

As a quick fix it might work for you..You just need a long bar or similar.

As my starter was the original Bosch (Looked 31 years old) I think it had done its job well..I replaced it with a Lucas exchange one and all is well now.

Glenn.

[Negativegravity]

Aye, tried tapping it with a hammer with the engine bay open but that didn't work. I'll have a look at the connections when I get back to the van after the wedding. What a gutter to the road trip!

[Hacksawbob]

I have driven from cornwall to bolton without turning off the engine. yes refuelled with engine running. Diesel is not explosive as petrol and theres no sparks. If you have recovery you can save a fortune in fuel which will help pay for a new starter if its needed, but be prepared for a long recovery if you are hundreds of miles from home.