Leaving the ignition on without the engine running issues.

[Alifriendee]

I am getting to know our Bongo a bit and have twice experienced the following.

I get in the vehicle, turn on the ignition to raise the roof and leave the keys in, without having started the engine.

10 minutes later the battery is too drained to turn over the starter motor.

A little research tells me the glow plugs take a lot of power and that they don't turn off automatically, so leaving the ignition turned on to the second stage even for a short time is not a good thing to do.

Whilst my main battery charges well I suspect it's getting on a bit and may not hold it's charge particularly well so I'll pop a new one in, but even so, the glow plugs will still drain any battery quite fast.

Am I correct in this diagnosis?

I used my leisure battery to jump start the Bongo using jump leads. Hopefully this is an acceptable thing to do without causing any damage to the leisure battery.

Many thanks.


Nick

[francophile1947]

You should always start the engine to raise the roof anyway because that, and the glowplugs, put a heck of a drain on your battery (over 30A), but I wouldn't expect them to flatten the battery within 10 minutes. Battery is probably passed it's best, so get it tested or replaced.
Using a leisure battery to start the car is OK occasionally, but the current required is higher than a LB can release quickly.

[dandywarhol]

The glowplugs automatically cut out after 15 seconds if the engine's not started - sounds like you're battery's tired

[haydn callow]

The glowplugs automatically cut out after 15 seconds if the engine's not started - sounds like you're battery's tired

Didn't know that...useful info....thanks

[bigdaddycain]

Hi Nick, yes it sounds like your battery is most definitely past it's best... Many a time on a campsite have i flipped the ignition on & off repeatedly (often for longish periods of time) without starting the engine up, without any probs...

It's essential to have the engine running for the "roof up" operation... It isn't however essential for closing it again, as gravity pretty much takes care of that

[missfixit70]

I did the same last year at a very wet meet in Poole, lowered the roof without starting it, left the ignition on, half an hour or so later heard a clicking noise, realised what I'd done too late . Luckily had jumpleads & thanks to Bongolouis, got it started It's easy done.
As has been said on here, put the roof up with the engine running, it takes a lot from the battery, but then so does starting the bongo, so if you're starting it just to raise the roof, try & leave it running to put some charge back in. I try & get in the habit of putting the roof up as soon as I get to my destination while the engine is still running.

[bigdaddycain]

I try & get in the habit of putting the roof up as soon as I get to my destination while the engine is still running.

Same here Kirsty... I didn't know you had a flat battery after the meet

[Alifriendee]

Got it!

Ignition.......
Start main engines.......
Lift up !

Gravity assisted landing.

Remind you of anything!

[jaylee]

I must admit even though i have a sunroof on my tinny as opposed to an AFT, i always adopt the procedure of keeping the engine running when operating it...

I assume it works on the same principle.