Bongo Fury

Can anyone help? Sometimes when I turn the key to start the Bongo, nothing! If turn off and back on again it starts fine. Before I change the stater solenoid, is there a relay in the system I should check? (Batteries fine by the way)

no MAXANDPADDY solenoid it is

have you got the kit off ebay £6 ??????

£6 is good, but does it come with the plunger? which if you look at the latest topic on the subject, you can see that the contact on the plunger gets pitted, plus mine was bent back a bit, which does not help.


http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=25969

Yup, not worth doing in my opinion without replacing the plunger judging by the state of mine. If you do want to go that route though, they'll sell you just the contact sets, which includes all the bits & bobs to fit & seal them. Check out the thread Brora highlighted, it's such an easy job guys, don't go for a new starter, not necessary.

Just as a reminder, did I read this parts replacement will not work on Bongos fitted with the more powerful 'winter pack' (i.e. twin starter batteries) starter motor?

I think you're right Mike, but I also seem to recall that the standard starter will replace the bigger cold start one, may be worth putting a shout on the wanted section for anyone who's got a duff one they'd be willing to donate if that is the case?

Thanks for the tips everyone, I'm hoping it lasts a few more days until I can have a proper look.

MAXANDPADDY wrote:Thanks for the tips everyone, I'm hoping it lasts a few more days until I can have a proper look.

Fingers crossed for you, as mine went quickly, once started to play up.

Mine started playing up wednesday, packed up on the following monday, got maybe 20 starts out of it (some of those hammer assisted) before it gave up completely

You've Been Bongod wrote:no MAXANDPADDY solenoid it is

have you got the kit off ebay £6 ??????

Kit? Can't see one on Ebay.

I can't see anything on Ebay either, but try these posted by Kirsty "I got the contacts & plunger ordered from Auto electrical Supplies Southampton - 023 80211988"

missfixit70 wrote:Mine started playing up wednesday, packed up on the following monday, got maybe 20 starts out of it (some of those hammer assisted) before it gave up completely

Well done Kirsty, engineering at it's best.

And if that doesn't work, simply use a BIGGER hammer!

That's an interesting point i picked up on kirsty...Would you really advice these re-furb kits for a knacked starter? I'd be so tempted to replace the starter with a new item after taking the trouble to remove it in the first place,does a re-furb kit really make the starter like new again?

Yep IMO Ste, it took no more than 45 minutes (leisurely ) to do the job & cost just over £20 for the bits, it starts better/quicker than it did before - not surprising considering the state of the plunger & contacts.



I reckon it's the original, untampered with starter, so the contacts have taken 12 years to get to that point, even if the replacements last for half that - I'd be happy. It wasn't the starter itself that was knackered - but the starter solenoid & the working bits have all been replaced with the plunger & contacts.
I guess the motor brushes may go at some point, may be worth looking into the possibility of replacing them? but as the starter is only used for a few seconds each time, the motor itself is not actually getting that much use. At the end of the day you could have the starter off in 10 - 15 minutes, not a big issue at all.
Hope that helps to answer your questioning mind

If it's good enough for you....

Gotta be worth having a re-furb kit knocking about the old toolbox then if nothing else?