My van is afraid of the dark

[CustardJay]

Hello everyone, wondering if anyone can shed any light on a problem thats recently been affecting my van. I've had two incidents so far:

1) Drove a short distance into town, parked up and left the van for a couple of hours. When I returned it had gotten dark and the van wouldn't start - the soleniod was clicking but the starter would not engage. Ended up being taken home on the back of a flatbed. The next day, I went out and it started first time.

2) On a road trip, 160 miles from home and I stopped at a service station. When I got back it was getting dark and again the van would not start. Me and my girlfriend decided to sleep it out (FREEZING!) and the next morning it started up no probs - we drove striaght home without stopping!

Is my van afraid of the dark? A coincidence? Is the starter on its last legs? Is the ambient tempreture having an effect? I'm considering removing the starter and taking a look but if the problem is not obvious I may just be wasting my time. I've whacked it with a mallet but that has no effect. Would a tightening of all wires help?

Thanks!

[Iceworx]

My 200sx used to do the same, as if the heat from the engine was causing the starter to give up on it.

Replaced the starter on the 200 and it was fine.

[ermie571]

Replace your starter motor bush......it may be worn and not good when engine warm. Tis a 25p part, about an hour todo the job first time. see the wiki.
Emma
x

[VWCamperfan]

If you are taking the startor motor out, check the free movement of the clutch/pinion assembly. Should be able to slide (with a turn and a pull) up and down the motors shaft. Give the shaft and pinion assembly a quick squirt of WD40, making sure it penetrates between the shaft and pinion and then add a few drops of 3 in 1 to same area.

As Emma says, change the bush in the bellhousing while it's out... saves a job later!

[CustardJay]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go with replacing the bush first and see how that goes. I'll change the starter after that if it is still playing up. No idea how I'm gonna check if I've actually fixed it tho!

[VWCamperfan]

Stick it back in and turn the key!
Remember to lubricate your shaft while its out...!

[weldore]

BUSH ?

[VWCamperfan]

Don't tell me no ones told you about the BUSH?!!

[weldore]

[VWCamperfan]

Ok, i'll let you into a secret but don't tell anyone else...!
When you remove the startor motor, up inside the bellhousing where the motors shaft fits, is a sleeve bearing (bush) that holds that end of the shaft in place when the motor is in position. These can wear or dry out and are one of the main problems of slow cranking when trying to start.
New ones cost around a pound and are a good idea to replace when taking the motor out but bear in mind these bearings need to be soaked in oil for at least 24 hours before fitting.
Ps. the old one has to come out before the new one can be pushed into place, can be a bit of a pain as they are sometimes a bit tight and not very easy to see unless you rest your head on the drive shaft!

[weldore]

doing an engine swap when the weather picks up,ill check this out...does it apply to diesels ?

[VWCamperfan]

I believe it does. If you're doing an engine swap then it will be easy to see anyway and a lot easier to replace as you can get to it from either side.

[weldore]

p.s........i wont tell a soul...shhhhh

[T'Onion]

doing an engine swap when the weather picks up,ill check this out...does it apply to diesels ?

No it doesn't , the starter as it built into the nose piece , I'm not sure if you can replace it.

[weldore]

i thought that too but wasnt sure...you just saved me 50p