Club 80-90 Forums

1984 A reg T25 1.9DG petrol water cooled
Couldn't start engine today. Has stood for a few weeks.
Is a lazy starter, but there's a knack to getting her going (each owner knows their van).

Today she wouldn't start, kept turning over, but didn't catch. But the odd thing was that when I turned off the ignition, she was still trying to start. Even with key removed and in my pocket, engine was still trying.

I removed the +ve lead off the battery terminal in the end, but not before it drained the battery. (+ve terminal lead felt a bit warm too).

Any ideas what this might be? I think it's called "engine running on". I suspect the ignition switch. But I might be wrong. Can't find anything in the forum, have searched for awhile. But maybe I'm not using the correct search terms.

Sarah

Either the electrical part of the ignition switch is jamming in the start position, there's a short inside it or the solenoid is jamming in the closed position.

If you have a meter start off by checking that the ignition switch is working correctly, I did a post earlier today with a link to the wiring diagram

Thanks 937carrera. Will have a look for that article.

How bizarre. Just charged up the battery. Connected it up. Turned key. It started. Turned off. Fine. Turned key. Started. Turned off. Disconnected battery so it's fresh for when I need it next.

Maybe the battery was a little weak.

If the starter is used excessively it overheats and the solenoid sticks engaged, when the starter cools it releases and normal service is resumed or sometimes it needs a tap from a hammer to release it.