Starter Motor???

[mickeysparks]

HI all, hope someone can give me a few pointers.
Jumped in Van all running OK, stopped at Wickes to pick some gear up, tried to start and nothing.
The dash lights came up bright on the initial turn of key, but when I turned fully round the lights went very dim and there was a click from a relay, but no turning of the starter motor. Managed to get someone to help me bump start all ran ok. Got home and stopped same thing happened.
Haven't had a chance to look at anything so far, but any ideas would be most welcome before I delve into the engine compartment.

Thanks, Mickey

[hachiroku]

If it were me the 1st thing I'd do is check the battery voltage with the engine off, see if there's enough charge there to turn the motor over or not. Much less than 12v and it might not have enough juice to turn over the engine on starting.

Then I'd check the battery voltage with the engine running, to see if the alternator was doing it's job properly, the voltage should be higher than with the engine off, probably 14v or something like that I think.

After that I'd be thinking about the starter motor.

[Trevor]

I agree 100% that the fault is with the battery, the click from the relay is showing you the battery lacks oomph.

[tucker]

When my starter motor failed (twice) I had the exact symptoms Mickey has. A click but no activity and it would bump start fine.

Personally I would very much suspect the starter, but best to rule out the battery first to make sure you aren't changing a part for no reason.

[Trevor]

When my starter motor failed (twice) I had the exact symptoms Mickey has. A click but no activity and it would bump start fine.

Personally I would very much suspect the starter, but best to rule out the battery first to make sure you aren't changing a part for no reason.

Oops thats me wrong then, sounded like battery to me cratch:

[hachiroku]

Yep, best to test the easy stuff first (ie battery) before moving onto the more complex (ie expensive!) items.

Did you get a chance to have a look at it yet?

[Ol'Jeffers]

Also check the earth connections. Check for corrosion under each of them.
They may be good enough to handle the current of normal running but
may be failing when required to deliver the high starter current.

[billskipton]

Also check the earth connections. Check for corrosion under each of them.
They may be good enough to handle the current of normal running but
may be failing when required to deliver the high starter current.

Rather obvious but check the connections to the battery first before you think of spending money. Make sure they're not corroded and can't be moved by hand. Next stick your headlights on and try the starter; if the headlights dim suspect the battery/alternator/earth connections; if they don't, start worrying about the starter itself.
If you suspect the starter, try giving it a few taps (not too heavy) with a hammer . (I don't know how practical that is - depends where the starter is situated). If it should then start working it's probably best to get it changed anyway, because it isn't going to get any better.
Hope this helps.

[mickeysparks]

Also check the earth connections. Check for corrosion under each of them.
They may be good enough to handle the current of normal running but
may be failing when required to deliver the high starter current.

Live next to the Sea so corrosion was a problem on initial inspection, had to change the crimp lugs that had all but disappeared. Smothered loads of vaseline over them to. So thanks for that, why I didn't look in the first place god only knows.illyme:

Thanks again

---

Yep, best to test the easy stuff first (ie battery) before moving onto the more complex (ie expensive!) items.

Did you get a chance to have a look at it yet?

Not only corrosion on the leads (which I thought would solve the problem)
but the battery was totally knackered. Though 5 mins prior leaving work, the ole van started same as always. Lesson learnt.

Picked up a good quality battery and wow what a difference, thought I was gonna take off. Just goes to show how slowly these creep up on you.

Thanks everyone all of your suggestions pointed at several issues that I have now rectified.

Thanks Mikeysparks :wave:

[Ol'Jeffers]

I put in the biggest battery I could get into the tray!
Mine was a brand new Varta from my '06 Passat diesel and
is still going strong the cold weather makes no difference
to it's performance as it's well over-specified!