Engine not starting

1

Hi All,

 

I got a bit of a shock today to find out the hard way, how little I know about the starting system.

Coming out of Bunnings, the van won't start - all the red lights came on  but not a sound - nothing.

I waited a while and tried again - still nothing.

I took the easy way - I tried to ring the RACV and waited and while I was waiting to get connected I tried again

and low and behold - the engine started straight away.

Could that be a faulty solenoid, a loose wire somewhere, the ECU playing up, the beginning of the end of

the starter motor or just a fluke?

 

Not too cheerful,

Theo

 

 

 

 

2

Hi Theo, I have has the same issue. Found that one of the push on connectors on the starter solenoid was coming loss. Pulled it off completely gave it a clean and crushed it a bit with pliers to male it hold on tighter. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Michael Roberts

Sent from Yahoo!7 Mail on Android


From: Theo Weiss teows@melbpc.org.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>;
To: <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>;
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Engine not starting
Sent: Wed, Jun 25, 2014 1:57:13 AM

Hi All,

I got a bit of a shock today to find out the hard way, how little I know about the starting system.

Coming out of Bunnings, the van won't start - all the red lights came on but not a sound - nothing.

I waited a while and tried again - still nothing.

I took the easy way - I tried to ring the RACV and waited and while I was waiting to get connected I tried again

and low and behold - the engine started straight away.

Could that be a faulty solenoid, a loose wire somewhere, the ECU playing up, the beginning of the end of

the starter motor or just a fluke?

Not too cheerful,

Theo
3

Ignition switch?

Bob

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 25 June 2014 11:57 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Engine not starting

 

 

Hi All,

 

I got a bit of a shock today to find out the hard way, how little I know about the starting system.

Coming out of Bunnings, the van won't start - all the red lights came on  but not a sound - nothing.

I waited a while and tried again - still nothing.

I took the easy way - I tried to ring the RACV and waited and while I was waiting to get connected I tried again

and low and behold - the engine started straight away.

Could that be a faulty solenoid, a loose wire somewhere, the ECU playing up, the beginning of the end of

the starter motor or just a fluke?

 

Not too cheerful,

Theo

 

 

 

 

4

There are two probabilities.  One is the starter switch not passing enough current to get the solenoid to pull in and the other is the solenoid itself.  The solenoid is located in a very dirty zone and this can affect the terminals from the starter switch.  Beyond that, the internal contacts on the solenoid can become contaminated but that is usually accompanied by chattering of the solenoid as it tries to pull in.

In vehicles of this age, it pays to get a new starter switch.  They are still stock items and don’t cost much.  I suggest that you replace that in any event.  After you have done that clean the terminals at the solenoid end and coat them with petroleum jelly.

The solenoid is in a very difficult area for access unfortunately.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: 25 June 2014 11:57
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Engine not starting

 

 

Hi All 

I got a bit of a shock today to find out the hard way, how little I know about the starting system.

Coming out of Bunnings, the van won't start - all the red lights came on  but not a sound - nothing.

I waited a while and tried again - still nothing.

I took the easy way - I tried to ring the RACV and waited and while I was waiting to get connected I tried again

and low and behold - the engine started straight away.

Could that be a faulty solenoid, a loose wire somewhere, the ECU playing up, the beginning of the end of

the starter motor or just a fluke?

 

Not too cheerful,

Theo

 

 

 

 

5

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions.

I have a spare ignition switch - I will do that first and let the VW mechanic look after the solenoid connection.

I actually have ordered a spare starter- motor.  Just in case,  I might as well get it installed.

 

Cheers,

Theo

 

 

from: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 25 June 2014 12:20 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Engine not starting

 

 

There are two probabilities.  One is the starter switch not passing enough current to get the solenoid to pull in and the other is the solenoid itself.  The solenoid is located in a very dirty zone and this can affect the terminals from the starter switch.  Beyond that, the internal contacts on the solenoid can become contaminated but that is usually accompanied by chattering of the solenoid as it tries to pull in.

In vehicles of this age, it pays to get a new starter switch.  They are still stock items and don’t cost much.  I suggest that you replace that in any event.  After you have done that clean the terminals at the solenoid end and coat them with petroleum jelly.

The solenoid is in a very difficult area for access unfortunately.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: 25 June 2014 11:57
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Engine not starting

 

 

Hi All 

I got a bit of a shock today to find out the hard way, how little I know about the starting system.

Coming out of Bunnings, the van won't start - all the red lights came on  but not a sound - nothing.

I waited a while and tried again - still nothing.

I took the easy way - I tried to ring the RACV and waited and while I was waiting to get connected I tried again

and low and behold - the engine started straight away.

Could that be a faulty solenoid, a loose wire somewhere, the ECU playing up, the beginning of the end of

the starter motor or just a fluke?

 

Not too cheerful,

Theo

 

 

 

 

6

Theo,

Starters tend either to work or not – nothing in between – unlike the solenoid, which is frequently intermittent.  Outright starter failure is relatively rare but solenoid failure is relatively common.  Get the spare starter by all means but a spare solenoid is probably more useful.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: 25 June 2014 13:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Engine not starting

 

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions.

I have a spare ignition switch - I will do that first and let the VW mechanic look after the solenoid connection.

I actually have ordered a spare starter- motor.  Just in case,  I might as well get it installed.

Cheers,

Theo

7
Ignition switch.

Try the spare that you carry with you in the van when you have a problem again.
8
Starters tend either to work or not – nothing in between – unlike the solenoid, which is frequently intermittent.

Usually the solenoid is intermittent because there is short brushes in the starter motor. The pull coil of the solenoid is in series with the starter motor (and brushes). The usual faults with the solenoid are burnt contacts or insulation which will not stop it from pulling in.
9
All good suggestions so far but as always everyone forgets the earths. Less likely to be the problem but worth removing and cleaning the gearbox pigtail, engine pigtail and also make sure the starter mounting bolts are tight! If your ignition switch is old replace it. Clean battery terminals. Remove and clean the positive terminal at the starter as well as the solenoid signal wire.

From: "plander@optusnet.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 25 June 2014 2:31 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Engine not starting

 
Ignition switch.

Try the spare that you carry with you in the van when you have a problem again.