In France - Bongo not starting

[eoptio]

Hi all

looking for some advice, we're currently in the French Alps and after a few weeks of trouble free driving today the Bongo does not want to start: it turns over ok, full of diesel, pre-heating light comes on, then goes of, but the car does not start. Have checked the main fuses and they seem ok. Any suggestions as what to check next?

Thanks

K

[wonkanoby]

try removing fuel cap

[g8dhe]

Have you tried checking the Glow Plug fusible link connected to the battery ?

[eoptio]

Hi

thanks for quick replies, will go and c heck these now. What about the glow plug relay? I do not have a volt meter to hand here, is there a quick way to test the glow plug circuit by dircetly connectinbg a spare battery to it and see if it starts then?

K

[Doone]

Check the fusible link, its the usual culprit.
If its blown, it'll probably be in 2 pieces. As an emergency repair, you might join it back together, using scotchlock etc. But before rejoining it, check that the glowplug rail is not touching the leak-off pipes (from the injectors) as this will make the link blow. If they are, just tap them down gently so they don't touch.

[westonwarrior]

as a very temp solution try easy start it should get you going but dont use it too much or the car can get adicted to it

[eoptio]

Hi,

We tried to take apart the glow plug fusible link but it wont come apart, how should it come apart?

K

[eoptio]

Hi all

apparently there is black smoke when trying to start the engine, would this point to unburnt fuel and non working glow plugs?

K

[wonkanoby]

if you have another battery try running power to glow rail

[Northern Bongolow]

have you got any spanners with you or any tools.

[eoptio]

Hi

yes have got some basic tools with me, spanners, socket set etc. I have a leisure battery that I can try to connect to the glow plug rail dircetkly: connect positive terminal to the glow plug rail and teh negative to anywhere on the chasis?

K

[wonkanoby]

just check rails not shorting anywere first

[Northern Bongolow]

loosen an injector pipe and give it a little spin over, see if the fuel is at the injectors.
mind it dont squirt you.

[bigdaddycain]

Hi, sorry to hear that you are having issues so far from home.. can i ask the nature of your bongo not starting please? Is the engine cranking? I'm assuming so because of the mention of black smoke...Are you absolutely 100% certain there is fuel in the tank? Ignore the guage for a moment, remove the fuel cap and rock the bongo so you can hear the fuel sloshing about...

Wait till the surrounding area is quiet... Turn the ignition as normal but ignore the yellow glowplug warning light... With a stone cold engine you are looking to hear a definitive click of the glowplug relay from anywhere from 10-15 seconds after ignition is switched, are you hearing this?

The symptoms you describe sound very similar to when the glowplug relay went down on my bongo (battery killer). Weston warriors suggestion of the temporary use of Bradex easystart may be a temporary solution for cold starts until you get home and get the fault diagnosed.

The best of luck....

[eoptio]

morning

thanks for replies. There is diesel in the tank, just filled up before we got here. I do not think I heard the click last night but will check again. Had another look at the fusible link, first thought there was some sort of fuse in the black connecter bit connecting it to the main cable, but am I right in that the fusible part is just after the connecting eye to the battery? If so stripped back the insulation on that and the metal looks melted/broken although the cable is still together. So assume it is the fusible link. Next question is how to (temporarily) fix it. We're in a small village, no car shop, can I just bypass the link to get started or put in a temp fuse (if so what rating)? How does the black connector work, it does not seem to want to come apart, lifting the black 'tab' and pulling does not work? Any suggestions welcome. Well at least we have internet access and access to this forum....

Thanks

K