Starting problems

[cyphrsbird]

I have a T25 transporter high top, with a VEGE 1950 petrol engine.

This is probably a really basic problem but I have hunted high and low, tried some things and will try a few more. I'm a bit stumped and confused.

I drove the van back from Bristol and she started fine first time. Then next day she tried to turn over but the engine didn't catch. After that it was a total no-go and it seemed like the battery was just getting weaker and weaker.

I know the van was standing for a while before I collected it so I took the battery out and charged it for a good 24 hours. Put the battery back and she fired up first time. Let her run for a while before I turned the engine off (couldn't drive anywhere as no tax!). Got in a couple hours later just to make sure and had the same problem. Tried to start up but didn't then just seemed to drain the battery down till very little was going on at all.

I have a voltmeter on the dash which shows the battery at 12v. When I turn the key this drains down really quickly to about 8v - is that OK? Once I try to start her and she doesn't catch the battery goes back up to 12v but the drop is more and more each time until eventually it reads 4v as soon as I activate the ignition.

I was planning to take off the leisure battery and charge that because I read on the forum that the alternator sends a lot of charge to that initially which can affect the starting of the van. Unfortunately the previous owner has snapped a bit of metal off in the nut that attaches the negative terminal clamp doo-hickey and I have got to get that out first! I also now have a set of jump leads to see if she starts OK from my car which I know has a good battery.

The question is - if she starts OK with the car jump starting her is it definitely the battery? And how can I tell if it's the main battery or the leisure?

If I still have the same problem even on the car battery - where should I look next? She tries to start so I'm assuming the starter motor/alternator is ok although I have had a variety of people telling me it's definitely one or other or both of these...but I don't want to start spending money on parts and/or mechanics if all I need is a battery or two!

Sorry this is long but I wanted to give as much info as possible. I'm getting a Haynes for xmas so hopefully that will help out with the troubleshooting as I seem to go all over the place on the web.

Thanks for reading this far...Help!

Mara

[Mocki]

you need to do the battery test

take it off, charge it fully on a mains charger, check the voltage, then leave it standing not on charge with nothing connected to it for 24hrs, then check the voltage again, if it more than 1v less than the first check, its suspect, and you need to get it checked with a drop tester.........

[cyphrsbird]

OK, I will do that. Sorry for being terminally thick - but what is a drop tester?
Mara

[cyphrsbird]

OK, I will do that. Sorry for being terminally thick - but what is a drop tester?
Mara

Is ok, I found a good page on the internet which is explaining ALL about them..

[VWCamperfan]

Afternoon!
I would say this could very well be a battery problem espicially after standing for a while. Batteries can easily be damaged by slowly draining down to a low level of charge and although they may take a charge it will probably not be for very long.

[cyphrsbird]

I had the same problem on my 1986 T25 - when I checked with the garage if I had the correct battery I was told it was not powrfull enough - put in a new 72amp battery (more than required) and she turned first time - if you think this may work for you ask to try one first before parting with your cash - It cost me over £70 but worth it. Good luck - send me a PM and let me know how you get on.

thanks I will def try before i buy but it is looking more and more like the battery so if i do end up buying will def go for the more powerful one
- let you know how it goes

[cyphrsbird]

Finally got the van to start up well each time. Noticed that the live terminal wire had an awful lot of electrical tape on it which looked perished so I took it off, reinsulated it and attached it all back up again, after that the van has been fine. Maybe had some kind of power train from the uninsulated wire? Anyway what ever the reason she now starts like a dream, Thanks to everyone for all your useful advise on this.

[R0B]

worth mentioning.if you have a proper leisure battery.do not use it for starting your van.it will kill it.(the battery not the van)

[cyphrsbird]

worth mentioning.if you have a proper leisure battery.do not use it for starting your van.it will kill it.(the battery not the van)

Thanks, yes I do have a proper one and didnt know you could not use it to start van! - will def avoid doing so now