Club 80-90 Forums

My Van's been laid up for a few month's while I'm working on the bodywork. I have started her a couple of times each week and run her out of the garage to work on her and back in at the end of the day - no problem.

Yesterday, I had some friends coming round to help lift the roof off and she wouldn't start. Turn the ignition and nothing happens. I can hear the fuel pump start up but absolutely nothing else. No clicking - nothing!!

I had a similar problem last year and it was a loose connection on the coil, one of the small wires had come loose so I renewed all the connectors and everything had been fine.

I recharged the battery overnight just in case but it has made no difference. Battery is new so is ruled out, besides, lights, radio etc all working. I have checked all the connections and nothing seems loose. It seems something has given up but I need some suggestions as to what to try first, cheaper options first obviously.

Any help greatly appreciated.

If there is no sound at all (i.e. no click) then it sounds like the solenoid is either stuck or not getting power (or not getting ground).
Have you tried whacking the solenoid with a hammer see if that 'encourages' it to become unstuck.
If you want to try a more subtle approach - make sure that the solenoid is seeing 12volts when the ignition is turned and/or that the solenoid is grounded.

Genius

Started first time after a gentle tap with a hammer. Shame the previous owner dropped the suspension, didn't make getting to the solenoid any easier. Now just have to clean the oil off my face!!!

Thanks for the help.

Make sure those connections are sound too. Whacking the solenoid may merely have made one wire contact again through vibration. More often than not, its the small spade connection.