Not starting

[Fivey]

Hi there I have just got a 82 t25 and everything was fine, started perfectly and all of a sudden nothing happens when I turn the key. No lights or anything, just wondered if anyone had any ideas?

I'm new to t25's so any help would be brilliant

Thanks

[BOXY]

Is your battery flat?
If not, it sounds like the ignition switch is knackered.

[pirate-pete]

Check the wiring is OK to the starter and also to ignition switch.

Could also try tapping the end of the starter motor with a hammer while someone turns the key in case the solenoid is sticking.

[nehpets13]

Happened to me when I got mine. Twice!

First was the ignition switch and second was a single loose wire to the starter motor.

[RedGus]

everything was fine, started perfectly and all of a sudden nothing happens when I turn the key. No lights or anything

When you say "no lights" do you mean no dash warning lights, or no lights at all (headlights, etc)? If it's the former only, and your engine's not starting, that suggests strongly that either your ignition switch has got a dodgy connection internally, as others have said, or that the supply wire to the ignition switch has a bad connection somewhere. According to my wiring diagram, it should be the thick red wire at the ignition switch. I'd start by checking for battery voltage at that point. If there is power arriving at that terminal, and the connections are clean, that definitely points the finger at the ignition switch.

James

[RedGus]

Could also try tapping the end of the starter motor with a hammer while someone turns the key in case the solenoid is sticking.

While that's an old trick for freeing a sticking solenoid, and perhaps OK in a dire emergency on a front-engined car with a bonnet where you can lean in, I'm not sure that I'd like to be lying under the back end of the van, swinging at the starter solenoid while the assistant turns the key. You'd have to hope they'd checked they had it in neutral!

[Oldiebut goodie]

Could be a diseasel with the solenoid at the top - no need to get on your knees and praying with a hammer !

[pirate-pete]

Could be a diseasel with the solenoid at the top - no need to get on your knees and praying with a hammer !

Aye, this is going by my own experience with diesel engine with an intermittent fault that happens once or twice a year on my motor. Must say I usually tap it without having someone try turning over engine simultaneously and it always works for me like that. Have no idea where the starters are on other engines but have had the experience of sitting in at the front of the queue line for the Eurotunnel, the lights go green, turn the key and then nothing. Then a case of wife quickly trying to remove all the luggage from above the engine via from back seat while I try and squeeze under tailgate (laden with bike rack so only opens slightly) to clout the starter at the top of the gearbox. All this with a line of impatient traffic behind. Times like this I wish the starter could be clouted from below.

Agree it is probably more likely to be wiring fault but wanted to mention it here as if it happens on my van it could just as well happen to anyone else.

[Fivey]

Thanks for all the help, it took me a while but like nehpets it was a loose connection at the starter motor.

I've only just joined this forum but I can already see its gonna be a big part of my life now you will all get annoyed with my constant questions soon.

Thanks for all the help