Cold weather, starter issues?

[turf'd]

A patch of cold weather managed to put my Delica out of action. It was extremely cold overnight, and when I tried to start it (after cycling the glow plugs several times) it just wasn't catching. It didn't sound like it normally does when starting (you can hear the engine catching a bit, you can see the exaust smoke - I know, I need the tune up) it just sounded like the starter motor was trying, but couldn't get the thing to turn over. I didn't run it long, as the sound was disconcerting. There was also a slightly burnt smell. (all in all, not a good situation I'm afraid) I tried the next day as well, same deal, except that the battery seemed drained. I got a boost later however, and then things turned over as they normally do, smoke and all.

So I figured it was the battery perhaps (strange as I've got two...). But a couple days later after driving around a bit in the day (and washing it) and leaving it for a few hours, I returned and had a problem. When I turned the key the glow plugs cycled like normal, but when I turned it to ignition there was nothing. Nothing at all except the glow plugs going (clicks). I tried a couple times and the same thing happened. I panicked a bit, as I had no other way home. I tried it one more time and it worked, started like normal.

Is my starter motor on the fritz? Has anyone had similar trouble? Did I fry the starter motor trying to start it in the cold? Does it sound like an electrical problem somewhere?

Any advice would be well appreciated. Thanks!

[Adam]

I have had very similar experiences, with even more concerning circumstances. I managed to stalled the Delica while driving on the highway when I was working out the bugs in my wiring and major air leak stemming from my WVO install (I guess this can happen when you don't know what you are doing ). I lost all power, everything was dead, there were no lights on the highway, and I'd forgotten to put my flashlight back into the van. I was finally able to get it started again by jiggling the cable connecting the two negative battery terminals. Everything fired up perfectly, but it was a tense 10 mintues.

Even now I've had periodic issues with labored starting in the cold mornings. I've always been able to solve it by jiggling the negative terminal wire and have it fired up nice and strong. I'll look into to it a bit more next time if happens, but I assume it's a dirty/bad connection between that batteries, to the point where it is trying to run off of one battery, instead of both.

[39Ronin]

Sounds like your starter solenoid, moisture freezes in the solenoid. Sometimes all it takes is a tap on the solenoid while some else starts it, multiple starts can also free it up.

[Fishtank]

Before you even try to work on anything, just try putting the van in reverse (or drive) and move the van slightly back (or forwards). If it rolls on its own great. Try to start again, if it starts it may just be a flat spot on your starter. If not try the battery connections like Adam said and then try the solenoid like Ronin said.

Good luck.

[turf'd]

I'll check the battery connections and the solenoid at the first opportunity. Only 2 things: what does the solenoid look like, and where is it located?

I did try moving the van a bit between the attempts at starting, perhaps that helped. But I shall keep that in mind in case it happens again.

Thanks to you all for the advice. Time to go out and enjoy some winter driving...

Cheers,
turf'd

[delicat]

Hi Turf'd

The solenoid is a small canister attached to the starter. Take a look at this picture, not the best but I borrowed it from MaxOverdrive's site (thanks).

[DelicaMark]

A couple of things come to mind.

1. Is yours an auto? If so it is possible (and has happened to everyone with an auto) that the switch telling the engine to start that is connected to the Park position was not working. The glow plugs clicking and then nothing would be a symptom of this. If it is a manual I have no idea! EDIT. I see that you tried to move it which likely made the switch contact work. end EDIT

2. Over the last month I have had to crank the Sh!t out of the engine to get it going. The starter has kept going so far with out any lasting effects. Meaning I think the starters are pretty tough. Before I got mine tuned (which I think you should do too ) I was having to crank sometimes for 15-20 seconds multiple times to get the beast to go. Since the tune everything has been A-O-K.

Your starting issues sound very similar to what I was having and my problems began once it got cold.

-Mark

[robinimpey]

My Van starts even at -20 with a single battery, and even I want to go get the miracle tune up! It's not always happy about starting at -20, but I'm not very happy about -20 either.