startup issue

[sarahp]

I have a 2.5l diesel 96 Bongo and recently she's not been starting. Ignition on, all dashlights working, diesel warning light works and goes out but nothing when I turn the key?? Just a click, no turn over. But try it a few times in park or neutral and she goes. Intermittent but becoming more frequent. Won't do it when garage has her to see what's going on! Once started drives fine but never sure if its gonna start. Any ideas??? Cheers, Sarah

[Northern Bongolow]

this will fix it .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pnySma88gY

[teenmal]

The first thing you need to do before you start tearing the poor soul to bits , check and clean the battery clamps and battery terminals ,also check the earth strap to bulkhead connection.

If that doesn't cure it resort to plan B.

[mikeonb4c]

The first thing you need to do before you start tearing the poor soul to bits , check and clean the battery clamps and battery terminals ,also check the earth strap to bulkhead connection.

If that doesn't cure it resort to plan B.

Good advice - does no harm to check these simple things. Does sound like a classic case of starter motoritis though.

I always remember it was long gone Bongo owner Colin (Moonshine) who long ago gave the invaluable tip on how to save mucho pesetas with his discovery of how to repair the Bongo starter motor on the cheap. A whole industry of suppliers soon followed.

[MalcW]

I had a similar problem, bought a solenoid repair kit including the plunger, then found that it was a loose wire to the solenoid. Sometimes it made contact, sometimes not. Plugged it back on firmly and it's been fine ever since.

[Scratch]

As previously stated please check the terminals to the starter battery first. I had the same problem and was just about to contact the AA when I discovered that the terminals were loose.