starting problem - call for opinions

bongalong · Post by **bongalong** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:47 pm

hello,

just went to start el bongo and nothing happens. ran him fine the other day.

symptoms:

put key in ignition, turn, everything normal. orange glow light on, then off, array of red lights as per usual.

turn key to ignition and all i get is a single click sound. not even a single crank of the engine.

it appears that the electrics are ok and behaving normally

i am thinking either:

- blown fuse
- starter motor
- alternator maybe?

does any one have any ideas where to start? or the best way to track down the problem?

there goes my sunday of relaxation.........

thanks in advance

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:57 pm

Well the obvious thing is a flat battery, surely?

Enough for the glowplugs but not the starter.

platty345 · Post by **platty345** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:06 pm

If it is starter motor you will just get a clicking sound, try rocking it back n fourth, maybe get a m8 to help you.

SimonH · Post by **SimonH** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:39 pm

Try sticking it in neutral and then turn the key again. Works for me...

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:08 pm

if it's a auto bugger about with the gear selector and try
again,

harpo42 · Post by **harpo42** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:37 pm

If you are getting a click sound then i would say its the solenoid. This is the small round device attached to the starter motor.
On the end of the solenoid are two terminals one goes to the battery via a heavy duty cable the other is a short cable that goes to the starter motor.
if you can try shorting them together. BE VERY CAREFULL

If the starter turns (It wont engage and turn the engine) then your starter is ok but your solenoid is kaput. If you get sparkes on the terminals and nothing else then your starter is jammed.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:15 pm

if it is the solenoid you can often get a repair kit
from a good auto electrician the last I got for a rover
cost £19 cheaper than a starter. they will want make
and model of the starter usually on the starter somewhere

bongalong · Post by **bongalong** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:46 pm

hello.

thanks for all the suggestions so far.

just tried the neutral thing and no go.

I definitely get a single loud click when i turn the key and not much else...

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:14 pm

Sounds like the solenoid to me too. I had this problem myself a while back. Turn the key... click..nothing. Turn it again, click...still nothing. Turn it one more time and it starts normally. Sometimes it took two goes, sometimes ten, sometimes it would start straight away. Took the starter motor off, replaced the contacts, put the starter back. Whole job took about an hour, and cost about £16 for parts. Starts beautifully now.

bongalong · Post by **bongalong** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:41 pm

hello,

many thanks for all the feedback. indeed i think the consensus that it is the solenoid is probably correct. this morning he started after a few attempts.

time to track down those parts!

Biddy · Post by **Biddy** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:17 am

Are your battery terminal connections tight enough ??

This happened to me and I thought OH NO! starter motor, then my neighbour said silly you had a new one when you bought your Bongo but we changed our battery last year......... Dave checked the terminal connections and they were loose...... so far so good......... starts every time (touch wood)

bongalong · Post by **bongalong** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:31 am

Biddy wrote:Are your battery terminal connections tight enough ??

This happened to me and I thought OH NO! starter motor, then my neighbour said silly you had a new one when you bought your Bongo but we changed our battery last year......... Dave checked the terminal connections and they were loose...... so far so good......... starts every time (touch wood)

thanks Biddy, i will check. I did install the low coolant kit a few weeks ago....

rob and karen · Post by **rob and karen** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:12 pm

my neighbour has recently got a bongo , and he suffered the same problem you are getting , all i did was disconnect the battery first drop the starter out 3 bolts used a bit of wd40 to spray the dog end and the solinoid i gave a few small taps , put it all back together and hes had no trouble for 3 weeks now starts first time every time ,
hope this helps
rob and karen

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:40 pm

What a good thread - Bongoing at its best

Mikey B · Post by **Mikey B** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:03 pm

When this happened to me a while ago it turned out to be the starting motor. Had it replaced locally in Llanelli (reconditioned unit) havnt had the problem since.
Some days it would be fine, no problems then other days it would "click".
Before having the starting motor done, I used to give it a little tap with a small hammer whenever it "clicked" to release the contacts - would start straight away then. A bit of a pain to do especially in the supermarket as I had to remove centre consol, lift seat, then give the starting motor a tap. But this method did not leave me stranded with a boot full of groceries.

starting problem - call for opinions

starting problem - call for opinions

Clicking sound