Takes ages to first fire up :((

[Sankovich17]

Hi guys,

First time to the bongo world! Bought a 1995 4x4 off a family friend and now doing it up!

Here's my first problem wondering if anyone can help.

2 weeks ago the van started to not start, takes about three or four good goes at it but it will start.

So I thought check the battery, 12.3v mmmmm... I'll change the battery anyway, but low but thought I would like a new one. Still did the same after being left over night!

So read up on it and changed the glow plugs, that still hasn't worked

Read a bit more and not sure what to do, maybe the relay to the glow plugs, got a mate with a bongo so I can try his relay out.

Anyone got any ideas before I throw more new parts at this haha (

Any help would be amazing as very new but have a ex machinic helping me when needed.

[Bob]

Very warm welcome to BF, one or two of our technical wizzards will be along soon, I'm sure.

[mikeonb4c]

Is it very smoky and lumpy running after starting. Does the problem go away when starting the engine once it is warm? If none of these then it could be related more to a fuel feed problem. Cheapest is to check/change filters first (search banjo filter for advice on that one also). After that, maybe need to consider leaking seals on fuel pump allowing air to be drawn into system when engine has Bern stopped for a while.

Welcome, and I'm sure we'll get the problem sorted and you'll be off bongoing shortly.

[Sankovich17]

Hey, cheers guys! Thanks for the welcome.

Yeah a big puff of smoke fires out once it's started (on its maybe 3/4 good try's)

Once it's running its lumpy for a bit then fine, until the next morning.

[g8dhe]

Check that the fusible link between battery and relay hasn't popped, mounted on the +ve battery terminal arm, available from the shop if it has;

[Sankovich17]

I'm off to check

[Sankovich17]

Just took it off and seems fine, had some tape on it but looks fine

[mikeonb4c]

Hey, cheers guys! Thanks for the welcome.

Yeah a big puff of smoke fires out once it's started (on its maybe 3/4 good try's)

Once it's running its lumpy for a bit then fine, until the next morning.

Hmmm. Does sound more likely to be gloplug related. Check battery in good condition, and I assume you're waiting until the dashboard gloplug light goes out before turning the starter motor. Also, you should not need to press the accelerator pedal when turning the starter. Does the last owner know when the fuel and air filters were last changed as if old they should be changed anyway.

[Sankovich17]

Hey, yeah always waited until the glow plug lights out.

It was running great for a month ago just started over night

I have a running van here to swop bits if needed to try, do you think it might be the relay to the glow pugs

[teenmal]

It would be worthwhile checking to see if the glow plug rail is in fact getting power, you can check it with a multi meter etc.

No power to rail would suggest a fault in the cable/relay/fusible link.

[callum]

Hi there,
Sorry for the hijack but i need to ask about that wire that wire on tge positive terminal.
I've just done some work on the van and noticed that that wire is disconnected. I didn't reconnect as the van runs well (a bit lumpy after start up when cold for a couple of seconds) and hadn't known what it is for.
So...what does it do?

[g8dhe]

If you mean the Fusible link cable that bolts on to the arm, then this supplies the 32 Amps to the Glowplug relay and then on down to the Glowplugs. The glowplugs allow the engine to start before the engine is hot enough to allow the fuel/air to explode under compression - hence non-starting and lumpy running until the head has reached working temperature. The link is a very slow blow fuse, and if the glowplug busbar is shorted to the engine then it pops to protect the circuit

[Sankovich17]

Hey, just found out there is no power going to the glow plugs

Any idea how to find the fault from the glow plugs to the battery? Is there a fuse location?

[Sankovich17]

Hi folks,

After a bit of hunting it's the relay box! Swapped it with my mates to test it and runs a treat!!

Thanks for all the help and advise couldn't have done it without you folks ))))

[mikeonb4c]

Hi folks,

After a bit of hunting it's the relay box! Swapped it with my mates to test it and runs a treat!!

Thanks for all the help and advise couldn't have done it without you folks ))))

Excellent result