Non Starter!!

[griffon62]

Hi All,
Can anyone give me a pointer as to why my van decided to stop suddenly!
I was on my way to the Kent VW festival and the van was running fine for 40 miles.Then we got caught up in traffic around the Maidstone one way system and while we were waiting for the lights to change it just died. I tried restarting and heard a nasty graunching noise and no start. When trying to start the pulley wheel would barely turn round (along with that graunching noise).
Called out the AA and they asked me what the problem was. ( 1. If I knew that I wouldnt have called them out, and 2, thats why I pay that lot £130 a year!!) . Anyway first AA man checked the battery and said it was fine. Confirmed nearly 200 amps being pulled to starter motor. Told me he wasnt getting under the van to have a look as it was raining and then called recovery and buggered off!
Recovery turned up 2 hours later and took me home!!
Anyone??

 

[StuF]

Sounds like your starter motor isnt aligning with the flywheel correctly - remove the starter first and check its operation and the pinion wheel
If that looks fine, replace the brass bush in the gearbox and refit.

If it is still not working correctly you will need to remove the engine and check the rear side where the clutch and flywheel are - the teeth on the flywheel may have been damaged
Take loads of pics and I am sure you will get loads of help

 

[ozziedog]

Not sure if you are hearing your starter make naughty noises, or your starter is ok and your motor itself is making even naughtier noises. If it`s the latter , try turning your engine over with a socket and see if you can hear the noises then, if you can, then the motor sounds like it`s toast and may need some sort of re build. Check your oil levels as well and have a good look at the oil.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, What`s your best guess for the noise`s source ? :|

 

[griffon62]

Thanks for the replies.
I have removed the starter and will get it checked out.
However, why would it make the engine suddenly stop??
Someone said it could be the wiring from the ignition switch. Could that make more sense?

 

[ozziedog]

Thanks for the replies.
I have removed the starter and will get it checked out.
However, why would it make the engine suddenly stop??
Someone said it could be the wiring from the ignition switch. Could that make more sense?

Are you certain that the noise is coming from the starter ?
How a starter would stop an engine I`m not sure, I suppose it`s possible that it had stayed engaged after initial start up then gradually toasted itself, or maybe the switch didn`t allow the starter to dis engage but just stayed in cranking mode. Did you try bumping the van ?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Interesting

 

[griffon62]

Just been out to the van and cranked the engine over by hand.
No nasty noises, everything seems fine.
I am leaning toward electrical though. When we first started off It gave a little splutter and the fuel gauge went a bit erratic but then it settled down and it ran fine.

 

[griffon62]

Hi.
Update on the original post.
I replaced the starter and solenoid and everything seemed fine so I thought that was the end of my problems.
We trundled up to vw action and the bus was a smooth as could be.
On the way back there was a heavy shower and after about 20 minutes of driving in the rain exactly the same thing happened.
A cough and splutter from the engine and then total electrical failure.
Pulled over on the hard shoulder and tried to start but nothing. No power to the dials( have extra oil temp, pressure and volts). Get oil and gen light on and lights and indicator work but engine wont turn over.
Called AA out again and they confirmed battery is good ( Its new anyway). He checked/ tightened all the starter connections and still couldn't find the problem but said the red ignition wire was getting hot when trying to start. He could not fix it and called out recovery who took me home.
Sure enough when I had got home a few hours later and the van had dried out I tried to start it and it fired up!
So it seems to me there is a potential short circuit somewhere and when it rains it makes that circuit. But where??
Has anyone come across this before??

 

[StuF]

All the info below is taken from the speedy Jim website

Get under the Van and jumper the starter exactly as shown in the sketch. Shift in Neutral !

If it cranks with the jumper, blame may lie with the Ignition switch.
If still no start with the jumper, focus on the starter

 

[ozziedog]

I would have a little peep around the windscreen seal and see if it's letting water in over the fuse box. Have a look at the fuse box area and look for tell tale water signs. Or pour a little water over that area with a watering can, don't go crazy but get it wet and check for water getting into the dash or the fuse box.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,, just a thought.

 

[griffon62]

Thanks for your replies,
I will crack on with those suggestions.