New camper problems.

[the White Nomad]

Gday to all you happy campers.
I know its late but im going to throw at you all whats up with our camper that im trying to fix, so any answers will be much appreciated.
It or he is a 1.9 1990.
1.Firstly iv got the starter off and the solenoid apart, as its had trouble starting, taking longer for the starter to kick in and turn the engine. I was expecting the solenoid internals to be dirty but they are pretty clean and it moves quite freely but il clean up and is it a good idea to grease or oil up the plunger inside or leave it dry?
2.The connections are all pretty rusty so they wiil get a clean. If this doesnt improve things i guess the coil has probably had it? If so is there any chance of obtaining a new solenoid?
3.Another problem is an anoying ticking sound up font when the ignition is off.Could be a relay though taking the ones out of the fuse box hasnt change matters.A friend reckons it might be something to do with a fuel float in the tank.Any other fuses in hiding?
4.The gas igniter on the fridge doesnt always want to work ,any ideas?
5. The engine will overheat if in traffic for a while and the rad fan wont come on unless i get the blower on and/or am driving along.Iv only heard the fan work once,whats his problems.

Well forgive for the long post but any help will help thanks.

[windysurfer]

5. There is a sensor for the rad fan in the bottom passanger side. Short out the connector to check if this fan is working. If the fan works then chances
are its this sensor which needs to be changed

[Ian Hulley]

5. There is a sensor for the rad fan in the bottom passanger side. Short out the connector to check if this fan is working. If the fan works then chances
are its this sensor which needs to be changed

AS above, this is a common fault. Some of us have a manual over-ride or 'Chicken' switch in the cab to switch the fast speed fan on

.The connections are all pretty rusty so they wiil get a clean. If this doesnt improve things

This should help, they are prone to getting cruddy and stopping working ... pay particular attention to the spade connector on the starter, this is the signal wire and the terminal collects $hyte and rots off

Welcome to the club btw

Ian.

[kevtherev]

2. I doubt it, a recon starter is your way.. they are widely available so shop around, or have yours reconditioned
I greased my solly, cleaned up the contacts.. and it helped, but started to hesitate a year later, renewed the starter and was surprised at the speed the new one turned over the engine.

[kevtherev]

3.ticking.... is it the clock?

4. what model fridge?

[the White Nomad]

Thanks for your reply's everyone. Well iv had a long day with dirty hands.
I got the fan working, which was a dodgy connection at the motor end, yippee.
I took the solenoid apart and energised it and it worked well pulling the starter gear out. Cleaned up the connections got it back on the engine and no difference,not yippee. So that ones got me for now guess it a problem on the starter.
The fridge is the electrolux 3 way jobbie, the electronic ignition switch has worked twice before but doesnt want to know now.
The ticking is when you move around in the van ,must be a relay somewhere.
Think im going to be getting to know the van quite well soon.

[callanish]

Hi

could the ticking be the fridge ignition trying to light ? mine does it

Andrew

[T25Convert]

Number 3 - Do you have an alarm? My '86 made a relay clicking noise whenever you moved in the cab area, turned out it was an an over enthusiastic alarm sensor.

[Grun]

I took the solenoid apart and energised it and it worked well pulling the starter gear out. Cleaned up the connections got it back on the engine and no difference,not yippee. So that ones got me for now guess it a problem on the starter.

One way to check the starter is to connect from the ring terminal to the spade connector on the starter with a suitable piece of wire.
This eliminates the ignition switch and associated wiring. The roadside recovery chaps do this I am told.
Take sensible precautions of course, out of gear etc.
Ring terminal is battery live (even with ignition off) and not fused.
Mike

[VWCamperfan]

A few people on here have recently had a delayed turning over of the engine after the key has been turned. After replacing the ignition switch behind the barrel, it seems to have cured the problem.