Update: so checked all the connections again today. Most looked original with solder in the ends. However at least two on closer inspection had rusted half way through. I decided to cut them all off and strip them back and apply new ends to all as appropriate. Did the van start? Nope. So I rolled it back off the ramps and bump started it. She did of course fire up straight away. As usual. I then ran her around the block and back up onto the ramp. Switched her off. Just thought I'd try her on the key again and yes she did fire up off the key. Weird. And now she starts everytime. I've even sprayed GT85 in the ignition barrel. And still fires up. So could it be that I've fixed it? That there was not enough power getting to the starter owing to the degraded wires that the starter was in mid flow and jammed up until I bump started it and now it is free to operate as intended with a good power supply to it? Is this likely or is this just more intermittent fun?
Yes ,not really known what the problem is ,I would be parking on hills for a bit.. Btw starter problems, I have always known what the problem is ,even a intermittent one, eventually..
You can try to strip down clean the solenoid or just go to GSF and join the lottery called exchange the starter motor. Its only two bolts and a load of electrical connections ... and trying to get the bushing out of the bell housing to change it (optional. recommended) is a lot harder with the engine in than with the engine out. Mine had both the ignition switch burnt out (two tries with GSF to get the correct type) , and a starter motor that decided to go tempramental (one try with GSF, correct first time, over 5000 miles since changing no problem) On one occasion I 'cured' the starter problem with a brand new battery , combined with regular almost daily use keeping it all moving. On my first drive ever in the bus it failed to do more than click the solenoid at the first filling station, occasionally deciding to die when I stalled the engine in a sloping car park and the bus stuck half out of a parking space or similar. Then it improved for a while and then started failing again about 4 years and 35000 miles later.
Its such a familiar tale. I know sometimes its a false economy to just change stuff out but I have to have my van ready for a tour in a few weeks so I think I will justvreplace both the switch and the starter for a JK Hella Bosch refurbed unit and be done
Btw I dont like that option as its indicative of the modern Audi mechanic (just replace entire sub-assemblies rather than fix the part) but I am time limited and need some reliability
Lol. Well tbh I'd rather it fall down so I have something to investigate rather than it remain intermittent.
My starter clicks and clicks and clicks,I know it is at the end of his life and was tempted to buy one and shove it in the back (especially with no breakdown cover) but like most things I left it.. I just want to squeeze the rest of the year out of it...(said that last year) I always know deep down starter motors are a added extra...
Had the RAC guy out yesterday. Last few weeks it's been not starting , getting bumped or starting easy. RAC guy hit the solenoid and away it goes. Battery good, alternator good. Connections cleaned. Been happening in the wet. He reckoned take it out and put copper grease on the splines. But me being lazy , should I just literally cover it in wd40 and see how it goes? Another trip to Wales next week means no time to faff..... the hitting option is good for now, or parking uphill. Wish it had a handle. My idea of progress that.
Im still twisting the ignition key like a wet dishtowel .squeezing every last start out of a dodgy electrical barrel ..not looking foward to fixing it , even hid the new part so im not reminded . you find yourself thinking ahead for places to park where you can roll start it. Sad but true .
I do that too, mine's a "jiggler" though and hasn't totally failed me yet. A few goes and it works eventually. 2 year old part. I used to be able to start the bug with a luggage strap- I'd have to cut a slot in the rear corner of the bus to do that, but I'm tempted.
Just bought a £5 Amazon ignition barrel to replace the 3 year old one in there. It sits in the dash so a doddle to replace. No steering lock of course. But the solenoid is covered with rust, and my non staring seems to occur after a journey involving a bit of wet. Would the mk1 wd40 saturation method work, or am I just wasting it.???
What if you put a pulley at right angles mounted near the stay so you could rig it all up then pull straight out to behind the bus, and if you wanna get dead sexy with it, have it fold back to behind the stay and park up next to your battery. Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,sounds like a plan bud
Or, slightly hollow a skateboard wheel, HHhhmmmppp. It`ll work, the opposite to what they use as steam engine drives. Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,, You know it will
Anything but WD40. Get a can of spray grease it would be better. WD40 disperses water and can actually be stickier than nothing, although it can often soften up dried grease.
Anybody know offhand the wire color that goes from the ignition switch to the solenoid.? For a pushbutton starter .need a quick fix , no time to change the starter switch right now and i want a backup anyway .76 westy .Thanks
