Club 80-90 Forums

Ok, so heres an update!
I did what you said, Covkid, and lay across the engine bay to feel for loose wires...i couldn't feel any that were loose. From there, I didn't know what to do, so I caved in and phone the AA (I have homestart).
Within 30 minutes they came out - he said that all wires were present and not loose. He checked the battery and said it was slightly low, but thats probably because I hadn't started it for 2 weeks.
He commented that it was strange that the van wouldn't start in P but only in N.
He got it started almost immediately but commented that it sounded slightly loud and that there was a bit of a 'jam' when starting it. He thought that maybe the excessive rain and wind we'd had might have caused the starter motor to rust slightly and its jarring somewhere when it starts. It sounded like it was jarring.
I took it on a 30 minute run to charge the battery and it started when I stopped the engine, but it's definitely not sounding right.
I think back to the garage tomorrow...but not the same garage I used before :-/

Thanks for all your help - I've learnt a bit about starter motors, so that's a good thing

K so to be clear - it's occasional fails to start rather than consistent fails to start?? Or??

Well..no, it consistently failed - its never been like that before. So the time between its first failure at the garage and then the AA man coming out today, it failed to start every time for 2 weeks solid. He tested the battery, said it was low, turned it over and it started. But he never got under the van, he must have done something to get it to start? But I only saw him check to see if the wires were securely on the starter motor - and he said they were...
He started it up to 5 times and it worked each time. He said it just needed a good run around to get the battery topped up, should be fine but to get it a garage and looked at as it sounds a bit loud and a bit 'jammed' on start up..

Its possible that when he checked the starter trigger wire, the movement he made wriggling it was enough to restore current flow and thats why it started. They are notoriously troublesome.

To verify that, you only need to remove it and push on a new wire & spade terminal then touch battery positive at other end of cable. If it works every time, then theres your trouble. It could be there or an issue with ignition switch. Not sure about noisy engine but could just be that one or more tappets have drained down and it needs a run to pump them up again. As with any engine, a series of very small issues can manifest itself as one big one and leave the owner frustrated and perplexed.

I don't know whether my recent experience is relevant:
I replaced my Clutch a couple of months ago and enlisted the help of my mate who is an ex professional and a sometimes boringly pedantic mechanic. Everything went back together well but the starter motor was dead. We checked all the usual stuff and were both completely baffled as all connections were on and secure. Going back to basics I checked every connection for volt drop while turning the key. To our surprise there was no electrical continuity between the heavy brass cable lug and the main starter stud even though the nut was extremely tight and the joint couldn't be rotated. This was completely baffling as all surfaces appeared to be clean, bright and tight. Removal and a thorough abrading solved the problem but to be honest this open circuit condition didn't seam possible.
CS

Thanks
Well, the vans started fine all day today and last night...im baffled. But all of your suggestions have helped to make me feel a bit more secure if it happens again, in knowing the various wires, clips, metal bits etc to look out for, wiggle, clean, and so on. So this thread has educated me thoroughly!
Thank you

If it happens again and wriggling that wire sorts it, you know you have to investigate more. The wire can get brittle and contact between that and spade connector get a bit iffy. Bit unfortunate you were stuck for room but don't be afraid of it chuck - you'll end up like the rest of us, head stuffed with useful facts. If you get chance in the Summer and you can crawl underneath, take some pics of the starter connections and we'll help you get it in good order. Its not hard to do but no one wants to be scrabbling underneath in wind/rain/snow/sleet. Hopefuly it'll behave itself until its warmer but keep some cardboard or a rubber mat in the van just in case.

Thank you thats really kind and supportive Covkid

I had a spate of this last year but found providing I jacked up the body very slightly (wheels still on ground), I could scrabble under to starter fairly easily and I'm a big fella. Just be prepared thats the main thing.

Did you get this all fixed Emma?

Hi Science Boy, sorry Ive not been on line since the new year.
Well, I got it fixed only by the AA as I said in the thread. But since then I've had no problems at all...even though I still don't actually know what the AA guy did to the van. I do know that he didn't do much though!