Page 1 of 2

Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 7:51 pm
by stefan442
Got back from work today and jumped into the bongo to pick the missus up from work, wouldn't start!

I changed the oil last Thursday, which went fine. Probably about 5 liters came out and i followed the fact sheet, was a bit shy of the 6.7 it says it holds. (changed filter as well)

Since then i have driven it every day for about 30mins and on bank holiday Monday i drove down the the new forest and back, from Swindon with no problems.

Not too techie but when i put the key in and turn it i can hear some clicks and some sparks... but no start on final twist. Battery is reading just under 12v on the lcd meter i have in bongo.

Any ideas?

I did have a cut off switch but i have taken that out and put the cables back as they were just to eliminate that.

Thanks,

Stefan

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:05 pm
by Driver+Passengers
Sounds like it might be starter motor contacts - common problem. You'll hear it click, but won't turn the engine.

There are two types of starters as they come over - normal and heavy duty. The normal starters can be repaired with a new set of contact from ebay, or most of the other online bongo shops. The heavy duty starters can't (if you've got two starter batteries, an engine warmer switch and an exhaust baffle box somewhere about under the sliding door, then it's likely a heavy duty starter.

You'll hear a couple of clicks as you begin to turn the key - main relay, glow plug relay, etc..., but on the final twist, a clicking starter motor should be obvious to hear.

Otherwise, it might just be that you're not in park? Handbrake on, take the gear selector out of park and back again, make sure it's right home. It could be a loose wire in about that...??

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:07 pm
by Northern Bongolow
did you spill a tad of oil into the alternator by any chance.

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:18 pm
by stefan442
No oil spilt, well a few drips out of the sump! Ill poke around and figure out what starter motor I have, only have the one battery. and ill try making sure its in park and check the wires. Got a day off tomorrow so ill have plenty of time.

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:24 pm
by francophile1947
A reading of under 12V is a flat battery, so it may need changing, or your alternator is not working properly. Try a jump start to see what the voltage is with the engine running - should be around 14V.

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:31 pm
by stefan442
Its usually running at nearer 13 than 14.... ill put a multimeter on it tomorrow and try a jump start as well.

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 9:09 am
by stefan442
Battery read 13.73 v on the battery terms, I have whipped out the starter battery and going to have a play. Maybe a stuck solenoid?
Image

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 9:20 am
by wonkanoby
usually one contacts worn to thickness of a fag paper

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-2 ... 1070wt_932

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 9:22 am
by Driver+Passengers
See the factsheet on changing starter contacts.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... rmotor.pdf

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 9:30 am
by stefan442
Contacts seem fine....? Watched the video online, very simple job.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/ ... 091656.jpg

Have given it a clean... will put it back in and see.


Contact... other one is the same...
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/ ... 093436.jpg

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 9:38 am
by Driver+Passengers
I don't know much about the electrics, but if the battery is (still) testing fine on its own, it might yet be the alternator if you're seeing a low voltage reading while running??

Fingers crossed for the re-fit and test. ;)

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:34 am
by stefan442
No luck..... tried boosting it as well from works van. Was at 13.75v when I tried. I got a bit of smoke out the back.... could it be glow pugs or pump? Edit: me silly

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:38 am
by wonkanoby
is it turning over

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:44 am
by stefan442
Yes....should have said before. Was worth taking apart the starter and giving it a clean anyway. :)silly me

Re: Poor bongo won't start

Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 12:10 pm
by wonkanoby
is the glow rail getting power

how old are the plugs

how old the filters