Club 80-90 Forums

Just drove 250 miles from Midlands to Dorset today and stopped a couple of times.
Second stop I noticed that I turned the key and although lights on dash came on as normal but it didn't start up...,didn't think too much about it as I just presumed I hadn't turned it fully- so turned again and it fired up.

Did another 70 miles or so and got to camp site and turned the engine off.
Same thing this time but repeated turns didn't help.

I had to leave it for a good 20-30 mins then turned again and fired up fine.
Each time there was nothing at all- maybe a faint click. But there was a strange buzzing from behind my RHD seat on a couple of the turns.

I've got a T25 diesel homebrew, with a 1.9 tz.

Starter motor? Coil? Faulty cables?
Any ideas appreciated , thanks in advance

With nearly 200 amps trying to flow the slightest flaw results in a no start.
Battery terminals have to be 100% clean and tight, cables have to be better than good, they need to be flawless.
Earth cables and points need to be clean and tight.

Other possible causes: loose solenoid trigger wire terminal, poor connector (rusty or loose)
Ignition switch problems (under a tenner and they do fail giving intermittant problems like this)
A failing starter motor.

Martin

Cheers Martin

I'm going to try and make it through the week down here and get my friend at the garage to check it over once I get home.

I'm going to print out your response and give it to him as the starting point.

Many thanks

Jem