Club 80-90 Forums

I got my van last weekend (1.9D 1Y). Everything seemed fine when driving last weekend, but just tried to start it after it sitting there all week and battery seems dead (no dash lights, etc). It's got a split charge relay, so switched it to the leisure battery. When I tried to start the dash lights come on, but nothing happens - no sound of starter motor or anything. I've tried jump starting, and it's the same as with the leisure batter - dash lights come on, but it doesn't turn over. Any suggestions before I call the AA? Bit gutted as i've barely had it a week Thanks.

E D I T: Just tried starting on the leisure battery again, and am getting a buzzer noise. Is this the buzzer of doom? Don't know what that means, but not liking the name

oh - gutted for you!

right. As far as I am aware it should not be started on the leisure battery, ok! If you have a "proper" leisure battery in their I understand that they are not designed to start your van. My leisure is an old starter battery....so if all goes breasticles up on the main battery, I can swap the batteries around.

Buzzer of doom....now that is an electronic buzzer, and the sound comes from behind the dash - at the same time your red oil led will come on and stay on!

OOOOPs - just noticed it is a diesel....is the glow plug indicator coming on at all? You don't mention that?


Sounds like battery. Have you got access to a charger or multi-meter? Do the battery test that Mocki always suggests. Whip the battery out, give it a DAMN GOOD charge, take a voltage reading. Leave on the side for 24 hours, take another reading. If the voltage has dropped, the battery needs replacing, as it is not holding a charge. If the voltage is ok after that 24 hours, bung it back in the van and see if it will start. If it does, that is good....but then you have to discover what is making the battery drain over the week, and that is a whole new thread!!

However, there are some other things.....

1. Ignition switch - synptons same - turn key and nowt. Easy repair...but sorry, I don't know how you test this. Mine is starting to indicate that the switch may be on the way....sometimes I turn the key and nowt happens for a second or two, then we get life! Other times, key in, lights and fires straight away.
2. Leads fallen off starter....easy repair again,
3. Dodgy earth.....there are loads of earths - battery, gear box and engine....all of which can effect starting.


if your starter is a problem, it is common to get a click from the back of the van when you try and start. Is this happening?

Me, I would test the battery....if you have a halfords local, they could do it for you. So will the AA if you call them, but my experience is only call them when you get to the end of your expertise....they will raise your premium if you call them out too many times (5 times in 2 years or sommat rediculous!)

Good luck, and keep us updated!

Em
x

If it were me, I would start with the battery

I tested the battery with a meter, and it's showing less about 5 volts, so I guess it's flat. The leisure battery shows 12v (don't think it's a real leisure battery - it's just a 2nd 12v next to the main battery), as does the battery I'm trying to jump start it from. I'm guessing there's either a drain or i left something switched on, but I'll worry about that later. Would there be a simple reason why I can't just jump start it if the battery is flat?

All the lights on the dash (glowplug, oil, battery, plus flashing red light by the temperature gauge) come on when I turn the key and it's connected to the jump battery. Don't think they normally turn off until the engine starts. Just tried it all again, and can't get it to make the buzzer noise now. I get a click noise when i tun the key, but this seems to be coming from under the dash somewhere.

I guess I need to go buy myself a battery charger next?

Thanks for the help.

Hi if jumping from a second battery always disconnect the earth on the vehicle battery otherwise it will drag the voltage down from the good battery you are jumping from. ie flat battery 5v good battery 12v voltage to starter about 9v heh presto no start. Just good baty 12v vroom vroom

I didn't disconnect the earth, so could be that then. The battery's out charging now, so i'll stick it back in tomorrow and see how I get on. cheers for the help.

Starts fine on the charged battery, don't think the battery is very old, so looking like something's draining it at the moment. Did the test of removing the earth/negative cable, then put the multimeter between the earth cable and negative bit on the battery, and am getting between 8v and 12v showing. I just left the earth cable off for the time being so the battery stays full, and will do some fuse removing when I get the chance. I'll also check the voltage on the battery in a couple of days to make sure it holds the charge.

Don't try to start the van on the 2nd battery if it's a proper leisure battery.

Ian