Had the van for a while now and even with it sitting for a year or so just put some fresh fuel in and it's started all the time never had real trouble with the van starting. But suddenly it now won't start!! I have electric fuel pump and can hear that going so there's fuel but it's not turning over at all. I'm getting lights on dash as normal and battery has 12-13v on volt meter. Is it starter motor??? If so how do I check???
are you saying it won't start or won't turn over to start? if it won't turn over it's your starter or switch - try bumping it to rule out the engine/fuel itself and bingo you'll have your answer.
If you left it a while then things will corrode and gunge up. Most likely the starter motor and / or the starter contacts on the switch. But really the question is what happens when you turn the key on to run. Do you see the oil and ignition lights ? Then when you turn the key to start do the lights stay on go out or go dim ? Is there a click from the back or silence ? As said elsewhere "Use it or lose it"
It's not been sitting for long at the moment as I'm in the middle of doing a resto on it. So it's been in and out of the garage for me to paint and work on it and in all never had a problem with it starting. Just suddenly now won't start. With I turn the ignition on the lights come on as normal. Then when I turn the key to start, nothing happens. The lights on the dash don't seem to dim and certainly don't go out. As for giving the starter a tap as it might be stuck, silly question but where is the starter motor???
OK. Sounds like some kind of starter or ignition switch issue. If you bump it, I'm sure it'll be fine. Try hitting the starter with hammer, or rocking the bus in gear to see if it frees the starter.
Have you also checked for a loose lead under the ignition switch? The lights usually dim a little when you turn the ignition key... Also have you checked the wires attached to the starter motor? If you cant find it still.... locate your battery, and follow the wire that goes out of the back of the engine bay towards the front of the bus... the thicker wire from the battery will be heading for the starter motor... to see the starter motor you will need to go under the bus and get your head in line with the back wheel and look up...a torch will help as well.... if you are on the wrong side you will see an earth strap and the fuel line heading back into the engine bay from the fuel tank...you will also see other things, but this may help locate where you are under there This will give you a clue about the wires at the ignition end http://www.ratwell.com/mirror/bclausen/How_to_files/IgnSw/index.html This will give you a heads up on the starter motor end and give you an idea what the wires are there and how to fix the starter if sticky http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581254 Also check the earth strap on the bus (you may remember this from above) but I would have thought that if this is causing you a problem the bus would be turning over... Anyway hope it helps... good luck!
Check the thick red wire has not fallen off , or is loose, on the solenoid. The smaller of the 2 cylinders on the starter motor. it is a 6.3mm spade connector. a common culprit.
Make sure you are sitting in the seat and then reach under the steering wheel to turn the key not through the steering wheel. Sounds weird but try it
nope, my switch is a bit worn and if i reach the the wheel to turn the key sometimes i don't get enough leverage to make the contacts and start the van, BUT if i reach under the steering wheel so coming in at a 90 to the key instead of in line (going through the wheel) i t starts first time every time Like i said, sounds weird but it works for me. (I haven't read the whole thread so may have missed something crucial)
