Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I keep having problems when trying to start my 2.0ltr Aircooled when the van is hot. When i turn the key i get about a 2.5 voltage drop on the starter battery and the starter motor sounds as though its trying to turn over very slowly. Sometimes it just suddenly kicks into life adn starts the van ok. If i let the engine go cold all is ok. I've not managed to get under the van to check connections, but if it starts ok when cold i can't see it being them, i'll have to wait for the rain to stop!

any help would be greatfull.

thanks

ian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry68G0C2Fyc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you follow the method in the video you should be able to find where the problem is. What voltage readings are you getting?

my meter leads will not reach from the battery to starter. Anyway went to check 12.66v on battery, went to start dropped to 7.56v! The soleniod clicked, starter did nothing, then a burning smell!!! I have put the battery on charge and tried again the start made an unhealthy sound. I think the started has made its way to the maker, any thoughts?

Have you search this forum for a similar problem Ian?

Just to add what you'll find
ALL the contacts and connections must be cleaned up on the starting circuit.
ALL the earths too (remember the gearbox earth)
There is a bronze bush in the bell housing that the start dog throws into.
This wears out and the slows the starter.

kevtherev wrote:Have you search this forum for a similar problem Ian?

Just to add what you'll find
ALL the contacts and connections must be cleaned up on the starting circuit.
ALL the earths too (remember the gearbox earth)
There is a bronze bush in the bell housing that the start dog throws into

oilite bush that supports the starter motor armature wears oval so the pinion doesn't mesh squarely with the ring gear.
(about £3.50 to buy but can be a little awkward to replace..requires starter motor removal)

Also check the copper braided wire that goes between the starter solenoid and motor body...these have a tendancy to corrode 'rot' and so not allowing sufficient amperage to cross from solenoid to the motor.

Martin

The latter point I've come across several times Martin - and easily overlooked.

thanks for all the replies. i've checked connections, cleaned them up and still the same. I removed the starter motor and it smells as though something has burned out. I've gone for it and ordered a new starter and a couple of the bush's as recommended in the wiki. gonna clean all the earths as i seem to get a low voltage of the alternator when the van was running anyway, never goes above 13v on the starter battery, but 13.6ish on the leisure, even worse with the all the lights, thanks again.

ian

never goes above 13v on the starter battery

Hmm is the starter battery good?.. that's a sign that things are not quite the ticket

Both batteries are brand new. I going to check the earth cables on each battery. the van has been stood for a month or so. Once i change the starter i will charge them up first. The starter battery is the tyoe with a window showing its state, green for good, red for bad. It does show green. i did wonder if i was losing a bit with the split charge relay.

thanks

ian

OK
well don't forget the bush in the bell housing then.
the batt should be showing around 14v when the engine is running

It used to be 13.2 so I cleaned the earth points on the starter batt, starter and the Alt posts, changed the brush pack in the Alt. It went to 14.0 after this