Bongo having trouble starting

[Mski77]

Hi all.
My bongo seems to have trouble starting, i turn the key wait for the orange glow plug lights to go out and nothing happens?
Is this a glow plug failure or a relay or fuse problem? or something else.

Help much appreciated

[Bob]

Hi, and welcome.

When you say, 'Nothing happens' do you mean absolutely zilch, or does the motor turn but not fire up?

Is there a 'clicking' noise?

Could be the battery failed or glow plugs, but difficult to diagnose without putting a meter on it.

Roughly where are you, we might be able to recommend someone to take a look.

[Mski77]

Hi Bob

It's really random..

does'nt attempt to turn over - then eventually starts (so far).

All lights come on so not battery

Do you mean the click noise when you turn the key ,before the glow plugs lights go out?

Was hoping if it's a fuse/relay or something similar i could do myself?

Does this sounds familiar

i'm based in London SE4

[mikeonb4c]

I'd say:

1) Check battery is in good condition
2) Check battery terminals are on tight
3) Check battery earth connection to vehicle is good
4) If all the above is OK then starter motor contacts are a strong suspect from the sound of it.

Good luck getting it sorted, and keep us posted.

[Ian]

There's a cable that runs from the ignition barrel to the auto gear changer. It can become frayed or even detached and the ignition is fooled in to thinking it's not allowed to start.

For a good SE London Bongo garage search for Mersh Brothers in Lewisham

[mikeonb4c]

There's a cable that runs from the ignition barrel to the auto gear changer. It can become frayed or even detached and the ignition is fooled in to thinking it's not allowed to start.

For a good SE London Bongo garage search for Mersh Brothers in Lewisham

Did think of including ignition/key in the list for completeness but couldn't recall ever having read of it producing the symptoms described before. I'd put it as item (5) then I think.

[jaycey001]

I had a car that would do this (Toyota corolla) turned out to be the contacts in the ignition barrel. I had to turn key and hold it for a bit for it to wake up. Ended up putting some electrical contact cleaner on key and wiggled it around and it sorted it out for a bit. Maybe worth trying...

[g8dhe]

When you fully turn the key after the Glowplug light timer has run out, do you get a click then but no starter motor turning? If so then it might be worn out contactors on the starter motor, provided you don't have a Norrthern Japan cold start version then the contactors are replaceable with spares from ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO- ... :rk:1:pf:0

[Mski77]

Thank you for all you're help, I'll do some investigating over the weekend and let you know how i get on.

[Keestatron]

Hi did you have any luck? This sounds like what mine is doing. It will start fine sometimes then just doesn't and it's a single click once I turn to start engine... I can sit in cockpit stationary and start it maybe 3/4 times then it'll not start until 10mins or so.of trying not sure what it could be. Going a.longer trip at the weekend and worried itll be stuck for a while trying to get it going when I pull in for break...

[g8dhe]

Again sounds very like the contactors, they rotate a bit on each attempt to spread the wear, so often appear to randomly fail to start until the contacts have rotated to a cleaner bit of material.