t'other night after a v long day at work i jumped in the bus to go home. turned the key, foot on accelerator and it coughed and spluttered a bit (new carbs, it does this now). it didn't start so i pumped the pedal then turned the key and nothing. not even a 'click'. after numerous tries i resigned myself to 'a flat battery'. it jump started and then ran fine all the way home. i didn't test the lights when the ignition didn't work, i know i should've, but now i'm wondering if it wasn't the battery at all but something else. am sure the battery was new last year... :help-sos:
no... ignition switch has 3 sub functions (live, live off when cranking, and cranking) Starter could be a bad ignition connection, or a faulty solinoid... so bumping would've negated both of these!!
jump started or bump started? jump started means starter on the bus still used and just your "flat" battery helped..... clarify.
Just realised you "jumped" it and not "bumped" it... so in that case, ignore what I've said so far and check the battery terminals are tight and free from corrosion (copper grease is good for stopping oxidation) And the charge voltage when the engine is running - should be around 14 volts
yup, jump started. luckily jump leads were still in the bus from techenders, they usually live in the daily bug. when i got home i turned it off and on again and started fine. will try it again tomorrow. could it be a flat battery then? 9getting confused, not had my early evening nap tonight)
yep flat battery or maybe on it's way out and the cold weather has started to show it's dodgy, maybe you left a light on? as paul says check it's charging with a volt meter when you get it started.
something could be draining the battery if you don't use the Bus that much, you'll find out tomorrow morning when you go and try to start it. Dodgy Hi-Fi maybe
How often do you use your van? As I've seen batteries go flat in a week.... easiest option is to disconnect the battery when you're not using it!! Protects the battery too
OK, just started the bus and he started fine - with the exception of the carb splutters. tried it a few times and all fine. the generator light did flicker while starting though, or does this happen every time and i've never noticed before? im beginning to think it wasn't battery but a starting prob as the was nothing when i turned the key t'other night and usually it whines a bit before giving up when it's a battery problem. hmmm.... seems that he has yet another intermittent problem
Ignition switch is cheaper than the starter.... and that's all I can say Starter http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/Shop_by_Vehicle~Baywindow_Products~Baywindow_Electrical_Products~Ignition-C-_Starting_and_Charging_Products~Starting_Products~Starter_Motors/311911023DX/T1-P-T3-P-T4_68-79_-P-_T2_68-75_Starter_Motor_-OB-Also_Fits_New_Brazilian_Bays-CB-.html Ignition switch http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Ign-switch-1-2-8-70-1-3-8-70-7-71-T2-8-70-7-74-7-WIRES-111905865F_act_shop.product_pID_59385_lang_EN_country_GB.htm
I remember when you could get a solenoid without buying the whole starter? Unless it really struggles to turn the engine, which it doesn't - I'd have noticed, the problem will be the solenoid not the starter itself. Unless it's the switch of course. If you can find one, it's a 5 minute job to put a new solenoid on the starter, and much cheaper.
