Starter not turning

[sirclugs]

Hi Folks,
Relatively new to Bongo-ing, bought my Bongo 2.5TDI last summer. I ran away from the cold to West Africa for 4 months and just returned but de Bongo no go start, she feel neglected. Batteries (I fitted Martin Bird's split charging System) both charged, turn on ignition, all looks well, Coolant alarm shrieks at me briefly. Turn key to start - nothing, no click, some panel lights go out. I notice sedimentor light is on, I'll deal with that later. Gear in Park, foot on brake, what other inhibits have I forgotten? Help, I need to go to Tescos for breakfast. Any clues gratefully received. Searched the forums but it just tells me "No suitable matches were found". I see comments about the contactor but I don't even hear a click.
Sir Clugs

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Folks,
Relatively new to Bongo-ing, bought my Bongo 2.5TDI last summer. I ran away from the cold to West Africa for 4 months and just returned but de Bongo no go start, she feel neglected. Batteries (I fitted Martin Bird's split charging System) both charged, turn on ignition, all looks well, Coolant alarm shrieks at me briefly. Turn key to start - nothing, no click, some panel lights go out. I notice sedimentor light is on, I'll deal with that later. Gear in Park, foot on brake, what other inhibits have I forgotten? Help, I need to go to Tescos for breakfast. Any clues gratefully received. Searched the forums but it just tells me "No suitable matches were found". I see comments about the contactor but I don't even hear a click.
Sir Clugs

First suspects sound like u/s starter battery (can't provide power for anything more straining than a light bulb, beeper, w.h.y.) or else starter motor solenoid stuff, which has happened to several owerns. Provided your Bongo is not the North Japan model (came with 2 starter batteries), which has a different starter motor, then you can purchase a repair kit, which is a lot cheaper than a new starter motor. Not a hard job to do it I gather. Search again as its all on here (or check members area factsheets, if you are a paid-up member)

[g8dhe]

You might check fuse as this drives the Starter relay, if no joy with that then the contactors / starter solenoid sound like the next likely thing.

[wonkanoby]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FORD- ... 3a62fadb86

is the kit but my gut feel is your starter batterys had it

will it jump start

[sirclugs]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I don't think its the battery, if I put the headlights on they do not dim when I turn the start key so the voltage is not dropping from starter load. Either its inhibited or the solenoid is sticking. I have ordered up a kit from ebay.
Cheers
Sir Clugs

[Dave.]

tap the starter motor (under drivers side) nice firm knocks ,also check the spade terminal on the rear of the starter ,lastly if you removed the battery check the earth strap is re-attached

It is probably just stuck from standing 4 months id say hitting it a few times should sort it

[321Away]

sticking solenoid all day!! as they said, turn key into cranking position and give it a few firm knocks, if not then whip it out and replace the solenoid contacts, assuming you dont have the HD type.
Julian

[sirclugs]

Sorted chaps, many thanks for your help. It was a rather loose connector on the starter solenoid. Cleaned it and squeezed it up a bit. The sedimentor light has also gone out now its running.
Cheers
Sir Clugs

[wonkanoby]

still worth looking at the contacts

as one side wears right away and was as thin as a fag paper on mine