Club 80-90 Forums

Ok I have a starting problem. Van has started from cold on the first turn of the key since I bought it 6 moths ago. Left it standing for a couple of weeks and it didin't want to know. Nothing, zip. Ignition light comes on and duly goes out again. First thought flat battery so took it in and charged it - nothing doing (have since replaced it with a brand new one as it wasn't holidng the charge for long).

There is a quiet click as the key returns from the startiung position. On investigation I have foudn a small obviously aftermarket box down the side of the battery compartment - fro, a discarded bix left in the glove box by the previosu owner I take this to be a starter motor relay. It has four blades from the box it was manufactiured by Lucas. My research indicates these are retrofitted to address the problem of resistance building up in the ignition coil when hot. This makes sense as the van has always exhibited some odd beahviour when hot - the ignition light doesn't go out properly just blinks on and off and sometimes when thsi happens nothing works of the column mounted sticks e.g. inidicators woindscreen wipers etc.

So how do I tell if the starter motor relay is kaput? There is no wiring diagram in the box. If I had one I woudl try to bypass it as the van shouldn't need it when cold.

My problem is somewhat compounded as when it decded to stop working I had just loaded the van with garden waste which I am extremely reluctant to have to unload and reload again so if anyone can offer any advice or solution that doesn't require that it owuld be doubly welcome.

The Van is a B reg T25 1.9 w/c Autosleeper conversion. Loving it as is my 4 yr old son. We need the battlebus back on the road!

Sorry about the typos will read before I post next time.

Does the van have a leisure battery? A relay next to the main battery is usually to connect the leisure battery to the main battery when the engine is running so that both batteries are charging. The relay may be wired so that it is triggered by switching the ignition on, which would make the click you hear. I would think rhe starting problem is more likely to be due to a bad connection at the starter motor, the fault you sometimes see with the ignition light and column stalks is probably not related.

I wonder if your van actually has an extra relay to power the main relay (on the top of the starter motor) ?
99% of our vans have not had them fitted as they are not really needed (let's not debate that here )
You need to trace where the output wire from that relay goes. It could be to a leisure battery, fridge, inverter, etc, or it could go to the starter motors main relay (the solenoid). You could determine (by meter, touch or ear) whether that relay fires up when turning the ignition just "on" or when attempting to crank the engine (if the latter then it is likely to be a solenoid assist relay).

jimmymck9 wrote:Ok I have a starting problem.... Ignition light comes on and duly goes out again.

That ain't right. Unless the engine is running the "ignition light" should stay on.

Really it should be called the "charging light" because that is what it is.

Aside = The coolant warning light flashes and then goes out of it's own accord though, engine running or not.

P.S. - Your symptoms could be a dodgy ignition switch. Far from unheard of on these vans. You could undo the steering column cowling and use a meter to see if the wire that comes live when you attempt to crank the engine is actually coming live. If it's not, you could "hot wire" it just to get you going.

P.P.S. - Try wiggling the key during the starting attempt first though. A dodgy switch can sometimes be coaxed into action by doing that.

Hi Ghost

Thanks fo rthe reply. I am assuming it is a starter mitir relay because of the box I found in THE glovebox. I guess it may not have come in this box but it is the right soze and the part is clearly not a standard bit because of the obvious diy wiring and lack of any mounting. I would test but I don't know what pins to test across as there isn't any wiring diagram. Tracing the wiring is problematic becuse of the load of garden waste in the van.

Anyway thanks for the advice I will have a look see if there is a relay by the starter motor. I have tried wiggling the key.

Marlin thanks to you too I now kno w aht the relay ios for and why it clicks.

One million other things to learn/fix will be back!

Ghost you are a genius - bang on the nail! I'd tried key wiggling but yu were dead right - hot wired it and it started first time!

I knew it had to be electrical because it had been turning over so easily beforehand but I never suspected the ignition switch - probably explains some of the other odd behaviour too. I owe you a pint many thanks you made my day!

ghost123uk wrote:P.S. - Your symptoms could be a dodgy ignition switch. Far from unheard of on these vans. You could undo the steering column cowling and use a meter to see if the wire that comes live when you attempt to crank the engine is actually coming live. If it's not, you could "hot wire" it just to get you going.P.P.S. - Try wiggling the key during the starting attempt first though. A dodgy switch can sometimes be coaxed into action by doing that

People always say they owe you a pint and never ever buy you one. I'm owed at least 100 now.

You can have all mine as well - I don't drink alcohol.

Glad you got to the bottom of it Jimmy

Garden rubbish disposed of now ?

Hi ghost

Garden waste still in van as we speak. Ignition switch arrived from just kampers while I was at work so collected It this morning. Had to go and buy a 24mm socket to get the steering wheel off but that acquired it was an easy job and now back to starting on the first turn of the key.

Should anyone else need to do this job there is a useful you tube video clip, I'll post a link.

As to the promised pint I am hoping to make it to Bristol volksfest - see you there?