Club 80-90 Forums

Hi. We did 120 miles Saturday without stopping and everything good. Stopped at campsite to check in then when I came to start up nothing. Lights came on on dash but engine didn't turn over. Tried starting it 4 or 5 times before it struggled to start. Left van overnight then when we came to leave it fired up straight away. Drove 120 miles home no problem but stopped at shop and it did same thing again when trying to start? Could it be starter motor on way out? It's a 1.9 petrol.

Check the wires to/from the startermotor and the earth on the nose of the gearbox BUT if this only happens when it's hot check the starter oilite bush which is in the bellhousing.

Ian

Hello
I have exactly the same problem, but have to wait until the engine is cooled off alot before it starts. I have been told this is an electrical problem but have still not got to the bottom of the problem. It has been suggested that I find a good autoelectrician. Also I drove past a vw garage in loughton essex the other day but cant remember the name, anybody know who this is.

phil

Change the bush first mate
and clean up ALL the contacts and the earths

thanks for that I'll give it a try.

Cheers, will check it out later

i had the same fault, got progressively worse over a two week period. Couldn't trace it. Had a eurika moment! Got with outside in the dark to turn engine over whilst i stood over engine bay, Saw it arcing at the earth connection by alternator. Tightened and been fine since. (nothing to do with me fiddling with the wiring a few weeks earlier, honest )

I had the same - actually had to push it onto the ferry to get home...

Turned out to be a grotty electrical connection on the starter motor. Easiest/obvious things first - clean up your connectors...