bongo won't start.. :-(

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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draper3000

bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:22 pm

Good evening.

THE BACK STORY:
I've spent the last 3 months slowly replacing the cylinder head on my bongo, new pipes where needed. All back on and working, Van would not go over 50 though and loud hum at around 1.5 revs.

So replaced a vacuum solenoid pump that had got damaged and badly fixed during the head replacement.

Nothing else has been touched.

BUT NOW:


But now the bongo won't start.

I've checked the battery terminals and they are on fine, I've always charged the battery up (just incase). There is coolant, oil and diesel in the van.

When you try and start it makes the noise as if its trying to turn over, and smoke comes out of the exhaust, pushing clutch or accelerator have no effect.

Any ideas....thinking that I may need to bleed the fuel tank a bit...?
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missfixit70
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by missfixit70 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:35 pm

Have you actually checked the batter voltage? Is it trying to turn over, or is it turning over but not catching? has the glow plug rail got voltage when the glow plug light is on? could be the glow plug relay not working or the rail shorting somewhere?
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draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:16 pm

hi thanks for the reply.

What would the difference be if it was turning over and not catching? how would I Know?
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missfixit70
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by missfixit70 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:30 pm

draper3000 wrote:hi thanks for the reply.

What would the difference be if it was turning over and not catching? how would I Know?
If it's turning over, the starter motor is turning the engine, but if it isn't "catching" it isn't starting. You said in your first post
draper3000 wrote:When you try and start it makes the noise as if its trying to turn over
which implies it isn't actually turning over, or is very sluggish in doing so?
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:05 pm

ok I would say it is turning over but not catching I guess.

So would that lean you to thinking a problem in the glow plugs area.

Do the glow plugs have a dedicated fuse in the fuse box?


Many thanks for your help

Jon
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missfixit70
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by missfixit70 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:15 pm

There's a 30 amp fusible link going from the positive termnial of the battery to the glow plug relay which is on the inside of the drivers side wing behind the starter battery.
Check whether the glow plug rail is getting voltage using a multimeter when the key is turned to the first position on the ignition & the glow plug light is lit, you should hear the glow plug relay click on.
It could equally be fuel not getting through, either from a blocked pick up, blocked filter or blocked banjo filter/strainer.
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by jaylee » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:20 pm

Ave a quick look at the 15amp fuse in no9 cab fuse box... You never know!!? :D
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by bigdaddycain » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:50 am

At this time of year i reckon the bongo would eventually start without the glowplugs anyway...prob take a few good turns of the starter though...
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draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:47 am

fingers crossed on the fuse being blown.....


first I cuppa tea and a tiny lye in...
draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:48 am

:( Nope its not the fuses.

Could it be the fuel pump, if the van had attempted to be started with a 1 or 2 pipes off (or round the wrong way on ) the fuel pump would this cause any problems.

Do you know how the engine switches off on a diesel.

I know a petrol engine would simply disconnect the battery to stop it sparking etc etc.

With a diesel it has to shut off differently, does it shut of with a diaphram or something in the fuel pump...

possibly just inventing technology...
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missfixit70
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by missfixit70 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:58 am

There is a solenoid on the fuel pump, 24-3002 on here, needs voltage to open - http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... mgno=.html.

Have you checked the voltage at the glow plug rail? Is the glow plug relay clicking in?
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:03 am

hi tried checking the voltage on glow plug rail, there is definitely something there when I turn the ignition to the first step.

Unfortunately the volt metre gauge my wife picked up last year has 34 options on it and I've not got much of an idea how to use the thing....but definitely get an increase in some numbers when tested.

My Dad is heading over and he reckons he will make the old girl start...we shall see...

I will check out the fuel pump solenoid.

Cheers

Jon
draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:26 pm

ok....hmm...

After more proper testing (and meter reading device instructions)

There is no current going to the glow plug, also tested with small bulb on wire to glow plug rail wire with an earth wire...still nothing.

All fuses seem fine, where else should we be looking.?

The glow plug warming light comes on and goes off on the dash as normal.
???
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waycar8
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Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by waycar8 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:28 pm

Have you heard the glow plug relay clicking on and off?
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draper3000

Re: bongo won't start.. :-(

Post by draper3000 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:34 pm

OK, the van has been started all be it a bit crazily.

We gambled and did a direct link from the battery to the glow plug rail using a jump lead, turned the key and voila its running.

So it is definitely the current not getting to the glow plugs.

The fuses all seem fine,

Is there a glow plug relay,

Does anyone have a good wiring diagram for that area of the engine?

Cheers

Jon
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