Club 80-90 Forums

Afternoon All,

1984 W/C 1,9 DG

Tried to start van, dead . All lights work ok . Oil and coolant dash lights flashing turn key and nowt .
Battery ok 12,5 Volts .
Heard what seems like a relay behind binnacle when I turn key back to off . New one on me .
Anyway, tested with multimeter Ignition Coil, Green Label, readings are :-
Primary 0,5 Spec states 0,5 - 0,8 ohms
Secondary 2,49 Spec states 2,4 - 3,5 Kohms
Whilst readings are just within does this mean it’s knackered .
Van did cut out on me few days ago and immediately restarted and ran fine as usual . Dunno if the two are linked .
Cleaned Earth on Ignition Coil .
Tried another Ignition Switch which I know is ok and again nowt .
Any help much appreciated .
Not physically cleaned Starter Motor connections, looked ok, sprayed liberally with Contact cleaner .
Can’t get underneath for long as my back is shot, being 70 plus ain’t helping !
Thanks lads,
Atb,
Chris

When you say turned key and nowt, did the starter motor crank over and didn't start the engine or turned over but didn't fire.

If the lights come on and nowt happens when you turn the key then it maybe the plug on the bottom Of the Ignition it was on mine

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Thanks Tony and Clone,

When switched on with key oil light on, coolant light flashing, foot down , release, turn key and nothing .
No cranking .
Have a spare ignition switch/plug which I know is ok, tried that and no difference, nothing .
Tomorrow I’ll get under (Ibrufofen by the bucketful) and clean starter connections and earth .
As you’ve guessed, my electrics skill is pretty poor ! Having a multimeter helps if I know how to use it other than basic battery checking .
Not sure how to check if power getting to Coil . Will have a look at Forums/Wiki tonight .
Cheers lads,
Chris

The coil will not affect the starter motor function. I would be checking the starter motor and the wiring to it. Unfortunately that will need you to get under the van or get a mobile mechanic to investigate the problem.

If you have a relay behind the binnacle, then maybe this is a cold-start relay.

Sometimes used to save the ignition switch contacts from getting burnt or pitted.

Maybe the relay is breaking down,
Or one of the relay wires is not connected.
We are talking the "30" or "87" contact.
Or perhaps a fused feed to the relay.

The 85 and 86 contacts must be connected if the relay is clicking.

I know... maybe, maybe, maybe

I don't know why people keep on about that relay when starting - it is the relay that switches off your power items like fan, headlights etc when starting. Someone must have put that misinformation out concerning it being a relay for the starter, they have a lot to answer for.

Ah yes... I do apoggle-ise.

I do forget about the load reduction relay.

I was just trying to think of why the clicking relay may or may not be relevant to the non-start issue.

It also made me think because it was said to be "behind the binnacle" and not from the fusebox.

Although after a bit of over-night reflection....
If we were talking about a left hand drive, the fuse box would be below the cluster binnacle.

i had this on my van, turned out to be my ignition switch, i know you said yours is fine, but it may be worth checking it by bypassing the switch and manually 'hot wiring' it and see if the starter cranks that way.
unplug the cables from below the ignition barrel (the connector just pulls out downwards) and then bridge the 2 thick wires in the harness, mine was red and red/black.
hopefully that will crank your starter motor. if it doesnt, then its on to more testing to see if 12v is actually getting to the starter by using the multi meter.

that's my knowledge all used up from when i had to fix mine, as luckily mine was the switch.


 

Gearbox earth strap as it stalled when you were driving it. Mine also refused to start, with same symptoms. Clean the strap and the studs it’s fixed to on the chassis and the gearbox. Find a friend with a ramp.

If you turn the key to the start position and the starter motor does not turn the engine, first thing to check is the tigger wire on the starter motor is connected and not corroded and manky , it’s common issue where the start is located on these vans …….. the coil will have nothing to do with the starter not turning the engine over ……

Morning All,

Apologies for late getting back and thanks for all your help and advice .
Not had chance to tackle this issue yet, will hopefully get an opportunity next week, had to finish off some flagging almost done .
Everything you say makes sense and along with this will incorporate additional earth to Starter .
Will let you know how I get on, at least stopped raining which is great and can get underneath !
Out of curiosity, does the Coil look like it’s on it’s way out with the readings I’ve got, as they look to be on bottom limit .
Atb,
Chris

I wouldn't worry about that coil until you get the engine turning over reliably.

Evening All,

Well success at last !
After becoming thoroughly intimate with every bl...y earth and cable, tried to start and SFA !
Went back to main cable with clip and discovered several breaks in the insulation, about 25,- from the clip . I was unable to see this lying underneath . This time removed carb intake cover and hose, lot easier to see and get hold of to cut enough back to clean cable, fitted new spade connector and fired up immediately !
I’m leaving the Coil for now, what ain’t broke.....waiting for Brickwerks to restock, you never know
Again, lads thanks for advice and help . Think I might ditch the ibuprofen and get stuck into the Jameson’s !
Atb,
Chris