Club 80-90 Forums

Hello All,


Despite being given a shiny new membership number earlier....and of course inspired by this...I tried again to get my van to start!

I followed the stuff on the other thread....and put a new thick braided wire to the solenoid.

NOW....when I turn the key....I FINALLY get a "clicking" noise at the starter end.

OK - so current getting to starter....solenoid?

However this "clicking" is only when I "pump" the accelerator ....if I remember this used to happen before.

I am now suspecting battery/starter still....any thoughts desperately received!

BUT - why does it only do this (and nothing else) when I am activating the accelerator pedal?

(its 1990 2.1i )


Many thanks for ANY clues here as I am stuck. Sorry if its a dumb question!

The click is the solenoid.
A solenoid is just a relay.
It allows a huge current to move the starter motor.
It won't move if the current isn't there from the + battery terminal or the earth - is poor.

The click could be the motor engaging in the flywheel, and insufficient current to move it.
Or the dog bush might be worn out.

Remote diagnosis is difficult at best.
You must eliminate things methodically.

Squeezebox wrote:However this "clicking" is only when I "pump" the accelerator ....if I remember this used to happen before.
BUT - why does it only do this (and nothing else) when I am activating the accelerator pedal?

I don't see how the actioning of the accelerator pedal could have any influence on the starter operation???
Unless there are some very weird electrical gremlins at work?!?!

Make sure battery is fully charged (or better yet, swap out for a known good battery)
Make sure the big thick cable from battery to starter is good (and has good clean connections at both ends)
Make sure that the smaller (solenoid) cable going to the starter is good and connections are clean (I think you've done this already)

In my experience a single click is usually the solenoid, a bad connection would give constant clicking but no start. Presuming a healthy battery