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Kombi won't start! [fixed !!]
rice_girl - December 28th, 2004 at 07:51 PM

Help!! Our 73' Kombi started fine this morning, but then boyfriend stalled in the driveway and it wouldn't start after that. Push started it and it went fine until we turned it off again at the servo! Thought it may have been a flat battery as he was hooking up lights and all sorts of things last night but after a full battery recharge and still no cigar we are stumped. Once it's going it is great but it just won't start! Could it be the starter motor relay????

Our auto electrician is away on holidays until the new year and we don't want to worry about whats wrong with it for that long, anyone have an idea on what it could be?

[Edited on 29/12/2004 by rice_girl]

Beaker - December 28th, 2004 at 08:41 PM

If the starter motor won't wind over when it's hot, then it'll be the starter motor solenoid. Next time it happens try earthing it out with a screwdriver.

phantom - December 28th, 2004 at 09:18 PM

I had similar with my Falcon years ago (sorry to mention another make here...), it ended up that to start the car I had to get the wife to turn the key while I shorted the starter motor out with my Club steering lock. Interesting thing to do at night with onlookers!

Try that, it may get you going until the sparky is back online. Good luck.

david - December 28th, 2004 at 09:19 PM

BanoraBus - December 28th, 2004 at 09:28 PM

Can the starter motor solenoid be heard throwing out? It might just be sticking in that case it might just need a technical tap, are the terminals clean on the battery and clamps, corrosion will put a high resistance on the wire limiting the current flow to the starter motor.

rice_girl - December 28th, 2004 at 09:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BanoraBus
Can the starter motor solenoid be heard throwing out? It might just be sticking in that case it might just need a technical tap, are the terminals clean on the battery and clamps, corrosion will put a high resistance on the wire limiting the current flow to the starter motor.


When turning the key there is no sound whatsoever! no sound of it trying to click over or anything, the battery terminals are clean as we took the battery off and recharged. :S

BanoraBus - December 28th, 2004 at 09:54 PM

Have you got a test light/ multimeter to see if power is getting to the solenoid if not you may have an open circuit or poor connection on the ignition switch, might even pay to get the battery tested under load it maybe on the way out

rice_girl - December 28th, 2004 at 10:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BanoraBus
Have you got a test light/ multimeter to see if power is getting to the solenoid if not you may have an open circuit or poor connection on the ignition switch, might even pay to get the battery tested under load it maybe on the way out


Yes we have a test light and will try that tomorrow, Not to sound like an idiot (although I just may well be!), but where might the solenoid be found? Is there a diagram or photo I could follow?

BanoraBus - December 29th, 2004 at 12:30 AM

You could try the test light at the ignition switch to see if power is passing thru ok, power goes from your battery to the ignition switch then back to the starter motor. Shorting out to poles on the starter motor will prove that it is ok.
Solenoid is mounted on the starter motor, you'll find a picture on the first link also has a fault finding guide

http://www.hallvw.clara.net/starter.htm#Starting 

http://www.aircooledtech.com/solenoid_repair/ 

hope this helps

rice_girl - December 29th, 2004 at 02:05 PM

Thanks for the help, the problem is rectified! The test light picked up a bad fuse connection. All is now good again, phew!

[Edited on 29/12/2004 by rice_girl]

Davecho - December 29th, 2004 at 02:15 PM

wohoo!!! told ya i didnt break it :P

BanoraBus - December 29th, 2004 at 08:29 PM

Always good to hear problems are fixed and even better when they turn out to be cheap :cool:

kombi_kid - December 29th, 2004 at 08:32 PM

or do a colin and hit the solenoid with a 3 pound hammer itll fix it!!
cheers
rhys
p.s. good to hear its fixed!