Starter/non-starter

[bigmacandfries]

Hi

My bus got to supermarket last night... but required assistance to leave. Ignition lights all come on, go to start, electrical monotone from engine bay but nothing doing. Lights don't dim, etc etc. Starting with lights off, radio off, heater fan off, clutch in. I sprayed wd40 over ht leads etc, checked no wires obviously come free, took off dizzy cap, it was dry in there, no cracks. Still nothing. That was limit of my mechanical ability (at present!).

Breakdown guy said battery fine, put a powerpack on which made no difference, said most probably starter solenoid. She bump started no problem. From her history she had a new starter (refurb) fitted about 2 years ago. Looking at it (think i am looking at right thing over the back right hand side, the connection looks very corroded (it was in the dark, it was very late... and cold... sniff).

I am currently in lewisham in need of a vw friendly garage.

Does anyone have any ideas. I am not technically minded, I have ordered a Haynes manual, van is in very regular use.

Simon

[andisnewsyncro]

The feed wire to the solenoid is a weak point, it may be badly corroded of simply have fallen off. It's a spade connector. have a look or a feel round the back of the starter motor

[bigmacandfries]

Cheers for that. It does look pretty corroded. Cant even pull it off.

That said, the mechanic i was put in contact with gave the advice, "just wiggle the key a little".

Old girl fires up without protest.

Perhaps I just forgot what its like to own an old vehicle.

I live in her all week every week. Moisture a big problem. I did look at key and wonder if that was source of short.

We'll stay local and see how she does. You can imagine grin as engine sparked into life. Like lottery win.

Simple pleasures. ta again. Si