Club 80-90 Forums

Having the infamous non-starting issue here, ever since we stopped off at Disco's! (I'm sure that's just a coincidence! )

Anyway, had a look today and lights go dim when trying to start. Load reduction relay clicks too, so I'm assuming ignition switch is OK.

At the starter end, the feed from the ignition switch gets hot. So, quite a bit of current flowing. I'm thinking either:

1. There is a short to earth at the feed into the solenoid.

or

2. The main thick supply wire is open-circuit somewhere, so the van is trying to pull all the current it can through the ignition feed. I would have though that this was fused somewhere though?

Anyway, I tried to pull off the ignition wire connector, and I can't. (No sarcastic comments please mr T'Onion!) It looks like a simple spade type connector but it doesn't want to pull straight off. I can feel something on the side of it like a plastic springy bit. Does it have a locking catch of some sort? I can't really see too well under the van.

I've also learned today that the trolley jack I bought is too small to lift the van, so my shiny new axle stands are somewhat useless too....

I'm still learning! Ho-hum...

there is a spade on the back of the soleniod, and the main feed is connected with a bold to the solenoid! try a screw driver between the two terminals on the back of the solenoid, if it don't turn then you are looking at a knackered starter or a knackered feed!

DiscoDave wrote:there is a spade on the back of the soleniod, and the main feed is connected with a bold to the solenoid! try a screw driver between the two terminals on the back of the solenoid, if it don't turn then you are looking at a knackered starter or a knackered feed!

... but I'm too weedy to get the plug off to get a screwdriver in!


I'll try again after work tomorrow. I'm sure spending a day with the teenage mafia will help me build up enough energy to attack the thing properly!

Thanks bob, I already read the wiki - I'm just too useless to use the info in it!

hi Dan get a good torch, petzl LED head torches are good, or a clip on 12v garage type. for lifting the van an idea I pinched off Beaker is to use a high lift jack you can get them from machine mart, and use a landrover jacking point adapter. miles easier than a trolley. you might just see on the wiki the picture (not very good I'm affraid, its a phone job) you can see the contatcs on the bottom right of the pic get some pliers on there and yank it off! (discontect live from battery!)