Starter Trouble

[raddelox]

Hello. I am new to this forum so a big hello to everyone.

I am hoping some kind soul can help me please.

I am looking at a Transit diesel for a friend which won't turn over.

It's an M reg 2.5 litre but we are not certain which Mk it is.

The battery is fine and the heavy duty connections are all tight. I have ascertained that the starter and solenoid are ok.

There is no power getting to the solenoid coil. Has anyone experienced this problem before? I am guessing it is something simple but as I don't have a manual to hand, tracing the wiring is a nightmare.

I can hear a relay clicking behind the dash on the passenger's side when the key is turned to the start position but it seems very difficult to gain access to it easily.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to avoid buying a manual as it's a one off job and I may never need to use it again.

Many thanks in advance.

Dave

[Luke]

your van is a mk5 - my mk4 Di has a starter motor solenoid relay, so im guessing yours will.

mine is located on the innerwing under the battery yours mabe too

hope that sort of helps!!!

[SteveTaylor]

I had this problem with my Mark 3. Its turned out that there was a fault in the wiring under the steering wheel.

Once we crimped I have not had a problem since ... apart from the fact a warning light has come on and will not go out and no-one knows what it means!

[MrMPuk]

M reg could be Mk 4.

[rover]

I would say most likely the relay too, some were above and some below the battery.

Its black and about 2"x1" with a large plug on it, its the only one in that area so you cant really miss it.

Rover.

[AndyG]

If it's a mk5 you can easily remove the tray above the glove box by prizing it out
I take it you've hard wired the starter motor and have it start the engine

Does the van have a smiley grill Does it have plastic vents at the top of the rear pillars on the corners of the van

[rover]

Raddelox..

Are you the guy that rang me this morning with the same problem? or is that a total coincedence?


Rover.

[Aztran]

hmmmmmm im having a slightly similar problem........now and again when i turn the key, the starter makes a whiring noise but no fire, give it a slight press on the accelerator and starts straightaway

[Luke]

hmmmmmm im having a slightly similar problem........now and again when i turn the key, the starter makes a whiring noise but no fire, give it a slight press on the accelerator and starts straightaway

yours cant be the relay cos if the starter is making a noise it must be getting power via the relay! sounds a strange one cos the accelerator and the starter are pritty much unconnected sounds like the soilenoid isnt throwing the starter into mesh with the flywheel and its just spinning freely

[rover]

Yep.

Yours is not the same problem Aztran, sounds like you have a dodgy solenoid.

Rover.

[Aztran]

ok cheers for the input, will have a look if it gets worse

[raddelox]

Hiya Guys and a big thank-you to you all

The Transit does indeed have that little relay where you had said it was under the battery on the inner wing.

That was the trouble. On inspection I noticed the red wire had broken off due to a lot of corrosion.... that green crud. Also when I pulled the plug off of the relay I noticed the blade from the relay associated with the red wire had also corroded right off and what was left was in the plug.

A quick trip to the scrappy and it was a done job. The sound of that engine turning is a nice one

Incidentally there is also that other relay mentioned behind the glove compartment which clicks in when you turn the key to the start position. Not quite sure what he does.

Anyway many thanks again to you all. You are fantastic

Oh Rover no I didn't ring up. Must be another guy.

[raddelox]

Yeah Aztran I agree sounds like a dodgy solenoid.

Dave

[raddelox]

Oh yes Andy btw it does have a smiley grill but not the plastic vents.

Thanks.

Dave.

[rover]

Cool

Glad you got it sorted

Rover.