Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All,

My first post and I would appreciate your advice.

The van: T25, 1987, 1.9, DG, Petrol, Watercooled. The owner: Novice, but can look at pictures & read so prepared to have a crack at it.

I've had my van for a bit over a year, one or two issues but all resolved. Usually started OK.

Went to start her up the other day - turned the key & silence. Lights on the dash came on but no coughing & no clicking. Headlights work & go dim when I'm trying to start. Tried jump-starting off a car - the car's engine-sound changed as I tried to start but nothing from my van.

I have: checked the battery terminals - looked clean & tight but I disconnected, wiped & replaced anyway; tried rocking the van; tried pushing pulling & wiggling every wire I can see; sprayed WD40 onto everything, tried tapping the starter-motor & solenoid with a hammer; tried hitting the starter-motor & solenoid with a hammer. Tried crying, begging, shouting, swearing, bribery & blackmail... = nada/nothing/zilch.

From reading my Haynes manual & from the Wiki & Forum on this site I'm assuming its a faulty starter-motor/solenoid - I had a go at taking them off, unfortunately I can't shift the lower bolt & didn't try the top one.

Can anyone advise whether there is any point in me replacing the Ignition Switch, or trying anything else, or am I just faffing about and should just call someone out to have a look at her?

All advice welcome,

Ali

No, not faffing but on the right track. Definitely sounds like the starter solenoid is stuck. Starter off and get a new solenoid from woods electrical.
http://www.woodauto.com/Component.aspx?Ref=SND1499" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had the exact same issue last week. Phoned the RAC out and he put 12v directly across the starter and it was knackered. Had a new starter put in along with a new earth strap and all was well.

Not saying that's what's wrong with yours, just that it sounds like the same symptoms as mine!

location in your profile can be a big help!

if your in Gloucester I can pop over?

Thanks for advice,

Do you know if it's worth trying to get the old starter-motor reconditioned? My brother-in-law knows someone who reconditioned my Alternator last year, or is this false economy?

I'm in Wiltshire, they're in Staffs, means I would need to involve Royal Mail.

billy739 wrote:location in your profile can be a big help!

if your in Gloucester I can pop over?

Thanks for that Billy, shame.

as above direstly jump the solenoid at the starter , this will eliminate any wiring problems between the switch and battery.

use a jump lead as an earth between body and engine.

I had this two weeks ago. Take the leads of the back of the starter and give the connectors a clean. Worked fine for me. As others say, jumping power directly to the solenoid should get it spinning unless the starter is dead. At least then you will know where your problem lies.

Be careful if jumping the starter. A live jump lead end accidentally touching an earth (ie the body of the starter or solenoid or bit of bodywork) is dangerous From the symptoms, I would also say knackered solenoid (stuck) so take care, jumping a stuck solenoid/starter can also cause HUGE currents to flow, proved by the donor car engine slowing down when you used the jump leads.

On the other hand, it could be a well knackered main battery

Same problem with mine after the winter. I am removing it just now. I note that you say you can't get the lower 'bolt' off. Please note that on mine ('89) the bolt has a nut on the other (front) end that wasn't obvious - this locks the bolt on and you need to remove the nut first. I took it off with a 5/8ths spanner but once i got it of I found its a 16mm when I tried it my socket set. Of course most open end spanner sets (You can't get a socket on to it) have 13, 15 and 17s - no 16s!
I removed the bolt right out of the gear box housing but thinking about it now I doubt if the starter motor will be threaded and its in there as a stud - probably didn't need to withdraw it totally.
Yet to tackle the upper bolt which is allen key type.

Thanks all, I appreciate your help.

I have to confess I wasn't kidding about the 'novice' bit - I have absolutely no idea how I would jump the solenoid etc. Any chance of some idiot-proof instruction? I'll have a go at cleaning the connections first though as that I know I can do.

You can fit a new solenoid BUT it depends how old the starter is. I had a go with one at the weekend and even with an impact driver those screws were NOT moving. Not a hope. I actually twisted the bit in the impact driver I was giving it so much welly. Fairly rusty starter to be fair. Bosch numbers long since perished.

I gave up and swapped it for a new one at GSF today - £100.80p - best price I could get. However, I recently bought a s/h starter that has an excellent solenoid but worn brushes so I'll fit a new brush pack to that one (easier to do), bag it up and keep it as a spare.

I often find bump starting it is a simple way of narrowing down starting issues. The wbx seems very simple to bump start, even from a very slow speed.

I've got round 2 bad ignition switches, bad fuel filters and dodgy coil by bumping it. Obviously helps if you're driving your mates around at the time

Cheers,

I'll let you know how I get on.