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Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:30 pm
by Bongo and Tonic
Hi,
My van won't start any more

When you turn the key, you can here the click, but then it won't turn over, I just get a loud ticking noise from the drivers side of the engine bay. Then the next time I try, the glow plug relay (the one behind the battery) chatters away and the scavenger fan starts up.
So far I've disconnected and cleaned up the battery contacts.
Disconnected things like the stereo and amp.
But to no avail.
Any body have any Ideas? I only have 5 days to fix this as I got to get to Stanstead on Thursday night.
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:21 pm
by francophile1947
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:29 pm
by dreamwarrioruk
flat battery.
the clicking is the glowplug relay trying to get enough power to warm up the fuel.
give the battery a charge up and try it.
how old is the battery. you could take it to any garage spot to get it checked out. if its not the battery then i would check to see if you have something switched on thats draining it.
failing that it could be the alternator not charging therfore no charge going to the battery
my moneys on the battery to. if you need a replacement get one thats cca 650 min for peace of mind.
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:31 pm
by mister munkey
Now then, starting with the basics, check the battery has enough juice to turn it over.
Failing that it could be worn starter motor brushes.
Start with that & see how it goes.
Best of luck & get well soon!!
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:00 pm
by Bongo and Tonic
You confirm my latest train of thought.
My meter says the battery is just over 11volts. That seams a bit low to me but I don't know if that's just cause I've been trying to start then van all afternoon.
I've had a look at the battery but can't determine how old it is. I'ts been in the van since I got it nearly two yeras ago. It has a sticker on it in English not Japanese (not sure if that means it's been put in after import or not to be honest).
Will get a charger tomorrow. Does any body know what spec the batter needs to be if I need a new one. I know if I walk into Halfords and ask for a battery for a Mazda Bongo they'll look at me like I've stepped in big pile of poo.
Rick
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:42 pm
by francophile1947
11 volts is flat. Halfords seemed very pricey when I looked there so I got mine from kwik-Fit. Might well be worth trying Wilco.
The battery should be a minimum of 85ah (preferably 95) with, if memory serves me correctly, a cranking rate of 650cca or greater. Just make sure that the positive and negative terminals are the same way round as on your current battery. I seem to remember somebody saying that Land Rover batteries were suitable, but don't hold me to that.

Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:59 pm
by dreamwarrioruk
i got an 85 667cca from unipart in york for £36 but that was mates rates, your better off going to any spot other than halfrauds, like u said they will look blank
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:07 pm
by Bongo and Tonic
Thanks for the advice.
I'll try Wilco and Kwick Fit (think I'll avoid Halfords then).
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 1:14 am
by bigdaddycain
dreamwarrioruk wrote:i got an 85 667cca from unipart in york for £36 but that was mates rates, your better off going to any spot other than halfrauds, like u said they will look blank
Woah!...that's some mate mike...Does he do mates' ,mate's rates?
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:46 am
by dreamwarrioruk
i could ask ste, i must admit i took a much larger wad with me when i bought it, didnt complain stuffing notes asap back into the pockets.
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:34 am
by helen&tony
Hi
We've just put a new battery in, and the shop looked up Bongo, couldn't find it, but on engine capacity, said that Japanese diesels of that size use 100 amp batteries pretty much as standard, and it now starts like a flippin' rocket
Cheers
Helen
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:54 am
by bigdaddycain
Re: Help, won't start!
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:56 am
by bigdaddycain
helen&tony wrote:Hi
We've just put a new battery in, and the shop looked up Bongo, couldn't find it, but on engine capacity, said that Japanese diesels of that size use 100 amp batteries pretty much as standard, and it now starts like a flippin' rocket
Cheers
Helen
Glad you managed to source one, especially "over there"... Is the alternator coping ok?