Starting Problems

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:29 pm

Yes I know, we have been here before and yes I know the darn thing has to be in park before starting the engine, so please don't yell I'm only little and a bit unsteady on my pins. (and I'm a sensitive soul )
We have just returned from ten days in Wales and just about every morning when trying to start the engine the darn thing took 3 or 4 goes before firing up. Now that we have returned home it hasn't happened once. (Much gnashing of teeth)
Any boffins out there with any ideas?
Confused
Lee

roosteruk · Post by **roosteruk** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:41 pm

Where abouts is Tendays?

sorry...lol...maybe you were in a colder area or something?

Post by **aitch** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:46 pm

or were you in a damper area? might have affected something!!! (in the starting system)

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:49 pm

Tendays? Oh very funny

I am not sure if I made it clear that when turning the key there was just that annoying click as if the lever wasn't in park
Lee

roosteruk · Post by **roosteruk** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:52 pm

If it's a diesel, then damp won't affect it, but cold can. Especially the viscosity of the fuel.
Not having mine at the moment, I don't know if they have individual heater plugs (usually do) or a manifold heater, but if one or two of the heater plugs are getting tired, this could also be a cause!

Karl

roosteruk · Post by **roosteruk** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:52 pm

Lee10 wrote:Tendays? Oh very funny

I am not sure if I made it clear that when turning the key there was just that annoying click as if the lever wasn't in park
Lee

ahhhhhhhhhhhh...sticky solenoid.

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:56 pm

I don't think it has anything to do with the cold and yes it is a diesel. It happened again at Strensham Services and we had been travelling for two and half hours so plenty warm enough especially with the weather like it has been the last ten days.
It seems to be that it isn't quite in park but no amount of wiggling it about

(the gear stick) will make it start until it is ready to do so.
Lee

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:58 pm

were you camping and running your battery down a little??

roosteruk · Post by **roosteruk** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:01 pm

Lee10 wrote:I don't think it has anything to do with the cold and yes it is a diesel. It happened again at Strensham Services and we had been travelling for two and half hours so plenty warm enough especially with the weather like it has been the last ten days.
It seems to be that it isn't quite in park but no amount of wiggling it about
(the gear stick) will make it start until it is ready to do so.
Lee

It does sound like the solenoid on the starter motor is sticking. Not having much experience yet, I don't know how hard/easy it is to take the starter off, but it could be worth getting it checked out.

Karl

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:07 pm

haydn callow wrote:were you camping and running your battery down a little??

Yes we were camping but on a hook up.

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:09 pm

I shall have to have a word with my friendly local garage. he always does the service and MOT on the Bongo and does seem know these vehicles. It's strange that it hasn't happened since. I have been in and out in it all day today and not once did it fail me.
Lee

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:13 pm

Definitely sounds like the solenoid - there's various threads on here about repairing them.

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:18 pm

Mechanic I am not. You might as well try to teach me to read Ancient Greek. I will leave it to someone who knows about these things.
Lee

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:03 pm

But if it is the starter motor Lee, read up on BF about cheap options for repair (I think moonshine was one who fixed his) rather than plunge in and replace the motor (mucho £ - ouch)

Lee10 · Post by **Lee10** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:10 am

Thanks Mike I will look in to it.
Lee