Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

Hi all,

I am having starting problems on my T25 1.9L petrol. 

Generally starts off well but randomly does this thing where it cranks really slow. After a couple or max 3 attempts my battery gets completely drained off and the battery leads turn really hot. I have had to call breakdown around 4 times now to get it jump started. One of the breakdown technicians suggested I check the earth from the engine. Any suggestions on what could be going wrong and where do I start to get this troubleshooted. 

Thanks,
Desmond.
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4474
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by maxstu »

Three areas to check.
Firstly thoroughly clean and properly tighten both starter battery terminals.
Next remove earth wire from gearbox mount. Thoroughly clean and refit.
Lastly, remove starter motor. Clean the area where the starter sits against bell housing.
There are other checks...oil lite bush in bell housing. Ignition switch. Voltage drop in starter cable etc etc
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

maxstu wrote: 04 Jun 2021, 21:34 Three areas to check.
Firstly thoroughly clean and properly tighten both starter battery terminals.
Next remove earth wire from gearbox mount. Thoroughly clean and refit.
Lastly, remove starter motor. Clean the area where the starter sits against bell housing.
There are other checks...oil lite bush in bell housing. Ignition switch. Voltage drop in starter cable etc etc
May thanks Maxstu, will take a look at those areas.
 
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4474
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by maxstu »

:ok

An often asked problem affecting many forum users.
My one was arcing from battery earth terminal to drivers' seat rail!
Report back with a happy ending, will you?
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

Certainly will maxstu

Thank you!
 
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16957
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by Mocki »

Could also be the olite bushing jamming the starter …… 
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

Mocki wrote: 05 Jun 2021, 07:22 Could also be the olite bushing jamming the starter …… 
Thanks Steve, will take a look. Any suggestions on how to fix it if this is the case?
 
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4474
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by maxstu »

MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

maxstu wrote: 05 Jun 2021, 10:32 Check out wiki...

https://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/P ... sh_removal

Thanks MaxStu
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

Engine earth lead looks poor. Could this be the issue?

https://imgur.com/a/7hidGnL
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

Hi,

Have been looking to clean the earthing points due to an electric fault and found this wire hanging loose in the engine bay.

Image

Any suggestions on what wire is this?

Thanks!
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1825
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Not sure what the connection is but you look as if you have a few vacuum pipes missing from the air box, unless it has been modified.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 18855
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by R0B »

The plug is a defunct VW factory diagnostic plug.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

TONYT25T25 wrote: 09 Jun 2021, 22:07 Not sure what the connection is but you look as if you have a few vacuum pipes missing from the air box, unless it has been modified.

Thanks Tony, will take a look at those missing pipes
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

User avatar
fernsd
Registered user
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 Sep 2020, 19:24
80-90 Mem No: 17072

Re: Slow cranks and battery gets drained in a couple of attempts

Post by fernsd »

R0B wrote: 09 Jun 2021, 22:35 The plug is a defunct VW factory diagnostic plug.

Thanks Rob, that solves it :D
VW T25 1.9 Petrol - 1983 water-cooled engine

Post Reply