problems starting engine

[janieh]

Hi Guys

I'm having a problem starting the van. I don't think it's the battery, as we've had that problem before and it means it doesn't turn over. However this time it's turning over but just not starting up.

Does anyone have any ideas what it may be? prior to this it's always been a pretty reasonable starter.

thanks!

[ermie571]

hiya - you'll be looking in the first instance at the battery - making sure it has the necessary oooomph to start it.

then - fuel air mixtuire - is it getting both?

then - if the battery is ok (have you tried jumps start?) you are down to the other ignition components - being diesel its the glow plugs!

How mechanical are you? My first port of call is generally AA home start.....

[janieh]

Thanks, we're not very mechanical! I've convinced our local garage to come and have a look. Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious. I can't afford much work on it at the mo!

[California Dreamin]

Reasonable crank speed but not firing?... on a Diesel this is most likely a glow plug issue, either the plugs themselves or the relay which controls the amount of time the glow plugs are powered. I take it that there has not been any recent work done to the fuel system?

Martin

[janieh]

I think reasonable crank speed, I'm not sure though as I don't normally have to listen to it before it fires up. It may be a bit slow? We haven't had any work on it recently. I'm going to fully charge the battery tomorrow and just give it another go, but other than that hopefully the garage will sort it. He's pretty used to T25s and has always been helpful before.

Reasonable crank speed but not firing?... on a Diesel this is most likely a glow plug issue, either the plugs themselves or the relay which controls the amount of time the glow plugs are powered. I take it that there has not been any recent work done to the fuel system?

Martin

[California Dreamin]

And of course you are aware of how to correctly start an older diesel? turn on the ignition, wait for the orange glow plug warning light to go out (from cold this could be anything from 4 to 10 seconds), and then crank over immediately, within 2 seconds of the light going out.

When finally it does start, does it run pretty rough for a few seconds?

Martin

[janieh]

Thanks for the help everyone. It turned out that that there were a whole range of problems! The cold start wasn't connected so wasn't doing anything, there were a few wiring issues, a couple of dodgy glow plugs and the battery was nearing the end of its life as well. It's starting fine again now!