red spanner goes on with coil light then off with coil light

[marko24]

Strange problem,this morning van started ok,went to bakers and it failed to start then started didn't think much of it,it started rest of day now it's dead.

The red spanner lights up at the same time as the coil ight and goes out at the same as the coil light,nothing happens at all when I turn the key seems like no power is getting to the starter at all.
The immobiliser light goes out ok so it's not an immobiliser problem.

Any idea's I had the AA out they said it's the starter motor,the van is an 05 transit but worked for a garage (called AA but private firm came out).

Just want to check this sounds right,thanks for any info.

[ake]

Probably is starter, have you tried jump starting it

[marko24]

Hi Ake,
thanks for the reply,the guy put one of those boosters on battery,he sorta shorted the solenoid as well,it sparked like hell he said that should have turned over the starter,it didn't.

Also when the van is in gear you can turn the key and nothing happens e.g the van doesn't try and move forward as it should radio dims a little when turning the key all the signs the battery is getting the starter current drained from it but there is just silence,I'll get some assistants today lol and try and push start see if that gets it going.

[ake]

Probably is starter then

[marko24]

Didn't start with a push start,battery was pretty dead but wouldn't think that would make a difference.

Someone said it could be an electrical short as the service light and coil light wouldn't go off at the same time.

If I disconnect the battery will I have to reset anything like immobiliser or is it ok to disconnect?

[stu0500]

Starters at euro. own brand £49.99 new not recon 12mths wty

[marko24]

Starters at euro. own brand £49.99 new not recon 12mths wty

Great price you wouldn't have a link by any chance can't seem to find it,cheers.

[ake]

Before you spend any money try charging battery up

[marko24]

Ok a real AA patrol out and we towed it and bumped it,got it started.
It's definitely the starter I might just buy a new solenoid first as power was getting to the solenoid so I assume if it was faulty it wasn't able to transfer the voltage to the starter motor itself.

Sounds like changing the starter is a mare,did one on the older transits but these look ackward.

Thanks for all the help,I will update as I try the solenoid.

[ake]

For all the price of a Transit starter I wouldn't waste your time or money on the solenoid, just do the whole starter, You haven't said if yours is FWD or RWD but to change a FWD starter takes about 20 mins

[APH]

I agree with Ake, replace the starter complete.

Quick lesson in how starters work:
The solenoid supply (thin wire from ignition) passes through the solenoid coil, and is in series with the main starter motor, this reduced voltage (due to resistance of solenoid coil) passes through the main motor to start it rotating slowly to aid bendix engagement, and as the solenoid reaches the end of its travel (e.g bendix fully engaged) a switch in the back of the solenoid applys full voltage to the motor for cranking.

If the brushes in the motor are failing or the motor windings have gone open circuit or high resistance then the solenoid will not operate.

It really isn't worth the hassle of trying to replace just the solenoid, a lot of time and effort needed only to find the motor itself is seized or brushes have failed.

[winterheating]

Didn't start with a push start,battery was pretty dead but wouldn't think that would make a difference.

Someone said it could be an electrical short as the service light and coil light wouldn't go off at the same time.

If I disconnect the battery will I have to reset anything like immobiliser or is it ok to disconnect?

the fuel pump needs at least 10volts otherwise it wont fire so even when bump starting should have half a charge.

also remember if ever you need to tow start again, put it in gear and leave in gear dont use the clutch
so the engine turns straight away slowly until it starts, otrherwise it can easily jump the timing and wreck the cam carrier, very common.

also a starter for £50 is almost certainly going to be a cheap chinese copy starter.

youd be better off taking your old one to a autosparks to get redone.

also check if a FWD can have Pas, water or fuel leaking onto starter, so could need them faults sorting also.

if its RWD think you could only get diesel from the pump leaking onto it.

[marko24]

Thanks for the info,I've bought a dearer starter £140 hopefully better quality ,anyway off to try and fit it,prob buy haynes manual sounds like lots of bits have to come off to access the bolts.

Again thanks for the tips and info very much appreciated

[stu0500]

can be a bit of a chew on the rwd, fwd are plain sailing.