Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone.
Have been away for two weekends now, van went great most of the time. However we do seem to have an intermittent problem starting. If we stop for a break, get back in to start her up, it seems that the battery is completely flat. A quick push and we're off again, but having to try to park facing downhill not always possible! It doesn't happen all the time, and my father in law struggled with this problem for ages - one of the reasons he'd had enough I think. He has had a new starter motor so don't think its that. Hubby reckons there is what he describes as a "flat spot" on the alternator but he has no knowledge of such things, so not quite sure what he means by that.

We also had trouble starting her on one occasion when she was turning over, but failing to fire. Got the RAC out that time and, predictably she started when he arrived, so didn't get to the bottom of that one either.

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Cas

sounds very much like a dodgy starter motor.was it a new one or just another s/h one? check the output of the alternator.this will tell you if thats whats causing the problem.

I sometimes have this issue, and the it turned out to be the lead from the coil to the distributer is a bit short, and sometimes gets pulled out a little bit, preventing it from starting, quick wiggle (or put it back properly) and its fine. I'd be tempted to check all connections for dirt and corrosion as well?

Yes, it was brand new.

It does sound dodgy though doesn't it. Is there anyway to check without replacing it?

FinL also replaced the distributor with a new one. Could be the lead thing though - when RAC man (v. nice man!) checked it, he did mess with the leads first and then it started.

Hmm, wish I knew what I was doing

this will help checking it.you will have to remove it though..http://www.carbasics.co.uk/how_to_test_ ... _motor.htm
this will help to check your alternator http://www.carbasics.co.uk/How_to_test_ ... rnator.htm

Where's the fun in that? I know nothing about engines or mechanical stuff, Everything I do know I've learnt from here and from books I've bought since getting the van. I still don't know much, but at least I understand better and am getting more confident at trying stuff. My rule, don't do anything that can't be undone, unless you know what you're doing or can afford for the garage to fix it after you've wrecked it. Always watch the AA man! I have no idea why pulling leads out and blowing on them helps, but the AA man did it and it worked. Ditto spraying everything liberally with WD40!

AA men are blessed with magic breath

I have no idea why pulling leads out and blowing on them helps

Brilliant - thanks so much.

WIll do my best! Or maybe even better get hubby to do his best!

Cas2306 wrote:Hi everyone.
Have been away for two weekends now, van went great most of the time. However we do seem to have an intermittent problem starting. If we stop for a break, get back in to start her up, it seems that the battery is completely flat.

errr...have you investigated your ignition switch?

More info is required here....

seems like the battery is flat. Do you get any dash lights (the red ones for oil and battery)? Does the engine turn, but just very slowly? If you get nothing....and its intermittant....its got to be connections, either in the starter, or to the starter. The ignition switch is under a tenner and not dificult to replace. When it has a non-starting episode, get a multimeter across the battery and see if it is at fault.

Incidently, mine used to do something similar...get in, nothing but a single click on the turn of a key. Push the van forward,,,turn key...away it went. Never worked out why moving it helped, but it did!! Remade connections on starter motor and replaced the ignition switch and it has been just fine since.

Em
x

Thanks Em, that's exactly it: just clicks, but give it a bump, or even just a rock sometimes, and it's fine! Will check connections and maybe just get new ignition switch, and see what happens.

Thanks again,
Cas.

Cas,
you also need to check the starter motor bush.....it may be starting to disintegrate or need lubrication. You will need to remove the starter to check the connections anyway....as you remove it (after disconnecting battery and reading the wiki on starter motors!) watch where the nose of the starter lives...then have a feel for the hole into which the starter goes....in there is a piece of metal that looks like a piece of copper pipe...but its called a bush. Not entirely sure what it does, but if its worn it will sart to refuse to start properly...and gradually get worse.

After you have taken the starter off, see if you can feel for any edges or roughness in there......it needs to be smooth. It should have been replaced with the new starter.....but may have been forgotten....and the new starter won't have made the blindest bit of difference! part costs less than a quid.....new starter should have been supplied with one. Do a search on here for starter bush.

Thinking on it, I would try that first.

Em
xx

id be going down the line of a new earth strap between the gear box and body and checking that connections to the starter are good, its also an idea to clean the faces where the starter bolts to the bell housing if you take the starter off...remember the starter has a constant live so disconnect the battery b4 messing about under there

''in there is a piece of metal that looks like a piece of copper pipe...but its called a bush. Not entirely sure what it does, but if its worn it will sart to refuse to start properly...and gradually get worse.''

this bush is vital as it is in effect the second bearing race of the starter, with this word the starter will not work effectively. if you replace this you will need to soak it in oil first as it is pourous