BONGO WONT START!!!

[Stargazer]

HI GUYS AND GALS!

CAN ANYNE HELP? OUR BONGO IS REFUSING TO START, THE ENGINE TURNS OVER FINE BUT FAILS TO FIRE UP. I HAVE CHECKED ALL THE OBVIOUS FUSES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND THEY ALL SEEM FINE. HAVE ALSO TRIED FITTING A NEW GLOW PLUG RELAY BUT THIS HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. THE BONG WAS SERVICED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SO NEW GLOW PLUGS, ETC. IT WAS WORKING FINE UNTILL ABOUT A WEEK AGO WHEN IT REFUSED TO START AND HAS REMAINEDO N THE DRVIE EVER SINCE. ANY IDES???

THANKS.

[maxheadroom]

I would start with fuel first ie is it getting to the cylinders? undo one of the pipes to the top of an injectors to see.

[francophile1947]

CAN'T HEAR YOU (Capital letters is classed as shouting on a forum )
Unless you specified that the glow plugs be changed, they won't be done in a service. Have you checked that power is actually getting through to the glow plug rail? There is a fusible link which is known to fail.

[haydn callow]

CAN'T HEAR YOU (Capital letters is classed as shouting on a forum )
Unless you specified that the glow plugs be changed, they won't be done in a service. Have you checked that power is actually getting through to the glow plug rail? There is a fusible link which is known to fail.

Agree that this is the 1st thing to check.

Get a cheap multimeter.......put one probe on the glow plug rail (the metal bar that connects the plugs) put the other probe to earth......(anywhere on the engine) with the ignition off it should read Zero and when you turn the key so the glow plug light lights up on the dash it should read 12 plus volts.

The fuseable link is a thick wire that runs from the positive (red) battery post......you can use a inline fuse as a tempory measure

[Stargazer]

Sorry for SHOUTING, Wrote post in a rush this morning!!

Can you explain how to check the fuel to cylinders? Not sure about this? I have checked the Fusible link , this seems to be fine. The Glow plugs are new as I ordered all these parts from Bongo Fury for the service myself. I have tried to start the engine again with no luck? I feel I have checked all the obvious things and I am at a loss of what else to do?
Please help!

[Stargazer]

[Get a cheap multimeter.......put one probe on the glow plug rail (the metal bar that connects the plugs) put the other probe to earth......(anywhere on the engine) with the ignition off it should read Zero and when you turn the key so the glow plug light lights up on the dash it should read 12 plus volts.

Have just tried this....There is no power!!!!.....What should I do next??

[haydn callow]

Hopefully you were touching the glow rail on a bare bit (not paint)
No power to rail.....with ignition on.

Check the fuseable link....you have done this so that's o.k.
There is another fuse in the fuses by your right knee.....
I will look up which one....back in a mo

fuse 6....20amp diesel after sept 2001

[haydn callow]

Next thing to check is the glow plug relay.....on the inside of the winh behind the starter battery....

remove it (one screw) and check you are getting power in and out...Should click when switching on/off

[Stargazer]

Double checked the fusible link and, having taken it off, found it smelling of burn out electric smell!! Pulled it all apart to find the copper core in two bits. Off up to Halfords to get a new one - they didn't have the exact bit so bought a 20amp fuse carrier and made me own. Fitted to the bongo, turned on the ignition and all seemed fine. Went to start after the glow plug lamp had gone out and the fuse went. Have tried several times with the fuse blowing each time. I guess I have an electrical problem somewhere on the glow plug circuit but haven't a clue about how to track it down and cure it. Can anyone help??

[haydn callow]

What was the value of the fuse you used as a temp bridge ??

Sounds as though when they fitted new plugs they may have left a short between the glow rail and earth

[westonwarrior]

the fusable link is 30 amp so at least that is needed as replacement

It does sound like there is a earth on the glowplug rail

[wormey]

Check the earth wire on the glow plug relay, run another earth wire to the body.

On the relay there are four pins, the small ones look like a t shape.

2x large, under the T head is the constant live, under the T body is the earth

2x small in a T pattern, the T head is the live when ignition is switched on, the T body is the earth AND THIS IS THE ONE YOU NEED.

[haydn callow]

check with your multimeter to see if you have continuity between the glow rail and earth....if you have ...that's the problem......should be a easy fix

[francophile1947]

This sounds as if the wrong glow plugs may have been fitted. They come in 83mm and 102mm lengths. If yours was fitted with 102mm and 83mm have been fitted, the rail may be shorting out on the injector pipes - check that there is clearance between the glow plug rail and the fuel pipes. It's an easy fix if that is your problem

[Stargazer]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your helpful advice, I have had to give up on it tonight due to loss of light, a dodgy back and the cold! Shall resume later in the week. The glow plugs should be the correct size as I checked the vin plate and ordered the correct size - I think - will double check though as I still have the old ones for reference. Lots of helpful advice so thanks to everyone - will let you know how things pan out and what the answer is - when I find it.

Cheers for now.