Club 80-90 Forums

Van has needed a bit more cranking to get it going in the cold weather. Went out at luchtime and the van needed a good crank to get going but then cut out. Tried to start it again and the starter seemed to make a chug chug noise and now nothing. No life, no click at all.

I've checked the wires and they seem sound if a little green. Starter battery (18 months old) is now showing 12.3v

Anyone get any thoughts?

Obviously there's not much I can do at work especially with slush all over the car park. Looks like it's an AA tow home

See my recent post re Real starting problems, sounds familiar

Cruz wrote: I've checked the wires and they seem sound if a little green. Starter battery (18 months old) is now showing 12.3v

any green on connections will create resistance which will increase starting cranking as it wont get the power it needs, plus check the earth strap on the front of the gearbox mount ans this is the main earth from everything on the engine!!

Sorry if I ask any stupid question but If the starter has been running fine until this week why would the earth strap on the gearbox suddenly be the culprit?

I look at it, as well as I could on my back in cold slush, but it's hard to determine the condition as it's covered in waxoil.

take off the lower binnacle and remove the plug to the ignition switch and hot wire it to check it's not the ignition switch failed before calling out the AA - I replaced mine two weeks ago as it was getting worse and didn't want it to fail suddenly which they can - you could see that the lug that engages with the end of the key was foobarred and wouldn't fully rotate to make the starter contact
remember to check it's in neutral before attempting to hot wire - you just need a live jumper to black 15 and a flash live jumper to starter solenoid red/black

Aidan wrote: you just need a live jumper to black 15 and a flash live jumper to starter solenoid red/black

I'm unsure how you go about that

When I turn the key the lights on the battery light comes on and I can hear a relay click. Would it do that if the ignition switch had gone?

Gasure are kindly having a look on thrusday at short notice so I'll leave it in the car park until thursday then jump start it and head down there

All I need to do now is work out now is how to get some lpg/petrol in the van and re-start it (I have no jerry can)

Did you get the 12.3 volt reading when the starter was trying to turn the engine over or when it was off-load? I tried starting my van yesterday after it had been standing for a couple of weeks and after one half hearted try at turning the engine over the battery was "dead". (I blame the alarm & tracker) I've got a meter permanently wired in and it showed +12v with just the ignition on but this dropped to 7v when the starter tried turning over the engine.
Batteries hate cold weather but three hours on the charger in a warm house and the van fired up first turn of the key. If your van's going to be parked for a couple of days I'd stick the battery on charge just to be on the safe side.

Tried to jump start it with jump leads, just to eliminate the fact that it may be battery related. Still nothing. Not a blip, though there is power at the starter. No idea how old it is, looks ancient, so it's probably just it's time.

Van is now on works car park in pole position ready for a pushing jump start on Thursday morning.

I have exactly the same problem, van Been starting fine up until this cold snowy weather now won't start, the battery is new, checked the earth on the back of the starter, seems fine.

Starter was shagged. New starter on now

Was it easy to remove the old starter and fit the new one?, do the bolts undo ok?

captaincalamity wrote:Was it easy to remove the old starter and fit the new one?, do the bolts undo ok?

Some photos in this old thread which might be of help:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=34628

Tony