Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

My van has now been laid up for over three years. I stupidly didn't even turn the engine over or do anything to it....well except use it as a shed!

Obviously I now want it to work ASAP

So first things first.....err...

....it wont start!

Good battery, all charged and I have a mains booster thing too...but starter doesn't make a sound, not anything, not a click....nothing. I hear the squirts of the injectors (?) but nothing else at all....not the remotest sound of a whirr....

I have put a spanner on the pulley thing and the engine does turn. So I am assuming its wiring to the starter or the starter itself (and not ceased engine!)

I have taken the starter off and the main shaft is a bit wobbley...moves sideways a bit. Should it? Can I test the starter somehow off the vehicle or any thoughts on this? It is a rather grotty looking thing and certainly the original one I guess although I dont recall any starter problems before so is it odd that a starter can die when vehicle is unused?

Any thoughts very welcome (very welcome....in fact...help!!).

If I do need a new starter then recommendations on that would be helpful too!

Oh...and it is a 1990, 2.1i manual

When it starts I can get on with all the other fun stuff and will look forward to keeping you all up to date on this vans return to the road (I hope!).

Thanks to anyone and hello to all!

As I learnt the hard way - no you can not test the starter off the engine (the shaft is wobbly because it relies on being mounted to hold it in place).
Can you test that you have 12v at the thick cable going to the starter - (should be 12v at all times)?
And can you confirm that there is 12v at the thinner cable going to the starter when you turn the key to the 'start' position?
Might also be worth testing that the outer casing of the starter has continuity to ground?

As a start, I'd also clean up all the starter/battery connections as well as the earths as I presume they'll be a little manky in areas.

I wasnt sure about my wobbly shaft! So will get cleaning up and testing!

Thanks for this.

I'd change the oil and filter before starting ( fill oil filter with fresh oil) and also crank the engine with the king ignition lead off for several seconds ( when you do get it cranking) to get some oil moving through the pump.

some people also squirt a bit of oil into the bores to help rings but being flat engine that may not help.

expect it to rattle like its broken for a while hydraulic tappets will have drained down.

Also petrol will be stale so best to drain it and use fresh.

itchyfeet wrote:
Also petrol will be stale so best to drain it and use fresh.

My van would not run properly after being laid up over the winter put a gallon of petrol in now ok.

Check batt voltage when you switch ignition on and when you switch to crank, then you know if it's batt or wiring.

Thanks folks.....some good tips there.....but.....

This afternoon I checked the wiring.

With the battery connected I can light a test lamp by connecting the big thick wire from the starer and earth to engine block. Also when connecting to the wire for the solenoid -that too illuminated when key is turned.

....so I merrily cleaned up all contacts on starter and the wire ends, connected up and....

.....nothing....

So I am now guessing it really is the starter.

Ho hum....and I found a few holes under the van too whilst I was under there.....but at least I can weld!

(oh and a mouse nest on the engine block.....but it looks like mouse has now moved on!)

So.....new starter required....before I Google it, any thoughts on starter purchasing?

a test lamp is not the same as a starter, it draws very much less current and will light up with low voltage, what wattage is it?
It may well be the starter but have you measured voltage with test lamp connected to be sure?

itchyfeet wrote:a test lamp is not the same as a starter, it draws very much less current and will light up with low voltage, what wattage is it?
It may well be the starter but have you measured voltage with test lamp connected to be sure?

Also - did you test for ground continuity?
Also #2 - if you are feeling brave you can use a jumper lead as a temp connection between the battery and the starter motor (to replace the thick cable) - this would rule out a bad starter cable/connection. But be really careful setting it up cos the opportunity for a short is big!!!

MidLifeCrisis wrote: Also - did you test for ground continuity?
Also #2 - if you are feeling brave you can use a jumper lead as a temp connection between the battery and the starter motor (to replace the thick cable) - this would rule out a bad starter cable/connection. But be really careful setting it up cos the opportunity for a short is big!!!

I admit that I didnt test for ground continuity. Good point. I did clean the motor though.....but that might not be enough.....and therefore #2 has made me think.....and be brave.....because I can be very brave if its going to save over £100

If I take the battery out, and the starter out (again) and "earth" the motor to the negative of the battery (I think I will do this in the middle of the lawn!)...and connect the positive to the big terminal and flash another wire to the solenoid....its should show me something.....right?....

Can NOT run the starter out of the bell housing, as said ^^^

Remove starter and check the braided connector.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNKSeAAd3rk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

To pop the end off, you need to remove the two long screws and the two short ones that hold the small end cap, under which is a slide-out clip and a washer.

I'm planning to do some filming tomorrow so may cover that.

OK - Thank you for saving me that hassle itchyfeet....I wont do that then!

But I hadn't found that youtube clip...so will go down that line thank you also to CovKid for that.



(Incidentally I did try a battery swap with a known good battery from another vehicle last night and still nothing, so pursuing the starter fault further at the moment)

YIPPEEEEEEEEEE


Got a new starter motor, and its on and.....it fired up straight off!

The van runs at last

The hydraulic tappets are making horrid noise, but guess they will quieten down a bit soon!

Got insurance quote too that was bearable and so a few days sorting out some bits and may brave an MOT next week.

Thank you to all who have helped me on this thread and the others. Glad to be here also and now I have a working van I can finally join in with some more stuff.....yes....will shock you with some pics of it soon.

Really appreciated the help and the PMs too.

Great news! With regards to the clackety tappets, take it for an italian tune up and give it a good run! You say she's been laid up for 3 years so unless you've already done so, i'd be looking at a mini service as well oil/oil filter/fuel filter/air filter/plugs - have a look at the dizzy and rotor as well as they're also cheap to replace.