Uh-oh... Van wont start!

[shealy]

So I hop in my van this morning, turn the key (hear the glow plugs do their thing), then turn the key the rest of the way. Nothing. Try again - nothing. I'm thinking this must be a starter issue because I cant even hear the motor attempt to turn over. I would assume the batter is fine, as I can hear the glow plug relay. Does this sound like a fair assumption, or does anyone have any other troubleshooting ideas I could try. I'd like to avoid a tow to a shop if at all possible.... Thanks in advance!

[nxski]

When my battery went I could hear the glow plugs cycle but the engine made a feeble attempt to turn over until eventually it wouldn't even try anymore. The fact that you couldn't even hear it attempt to start doesn't necessarily mean the batteries are good but could point more towards the starter. Maybe someone else can chime in here!? I would check the batteries and if they're good focus on the starter.

[fozzie]

I had a similar problem a little while ago. Tracked it down to the cable leading to the + battery terminal has 2 plugs leading off it. One goes to the starter ( I think), and the other goes to the glow plugs (I think). Make sure that they are connected. Mine got fried and just needed to replace the plugs with a butt slice. Hope it's that easy for you. First off though check that all batteries terminals are clamped down well and clean. BTW this is for an L300.
Good luck,Matt

[Fishtank]

Climb in - turn on your key - press the brake pedal - shift from park to drive and back again - try starting again.

There is a switch that allows the starter to engage while in park, that switch gets dirty and can be intermittent. All it requires is a wiggle or shifting out of, and back into park.

[shealy]

Thanks guys, I don't know what I'd do without this site! When I get home (had to quickly run and take the bus this morning!) I'll check out the battery and connections, and try the shift (P --> D--> P) technique, and we'll see how that works. Fingers crossed! I'm just glad it didn't happen yesterday when I was camping 40kms up a forestry road in the Cariboo. That would have been bad....

[shealy]

Oh, and also - If I do get it started via the shifting technique, then should I consider this issue resolved? Is this a common enough thing that is easily fixed by shifting back and forth, then starting again? Or should I take further action or get it looked at by a mechanic? Thanks again guys (hope these aren't stupid questions!)

[Super Exceeded]

Try to jump start it, that will rule in or out your batteries. And of course crawl undr and make sure all of your wires are attached firmly. Maybe ony the wire on your starter has come off!..

[thedjjack]

Agree with other posts:

1 check battery terminals tight and clean wiggle and tighten to get good connection.

2 check starter motor wires clean and tight

3 if automatic check power at starter when cranking (switch on transmission tells if in P or N to start).

4 check batteries have 500+ amps to start 12-13 volts mean nothing...

5 pull starter and bench test (you can also jump straight to the starter from a good batteries to see if it turns).

Be nice if you could roll start the automatic vans (very few automatics have the ability to roll start (Mercedes diesels can, very handy!)

[legionnair]

Very quick tip for battery condition
Put a volt meter across the battery terminals read voltage of just the battery should be about 12.5v turn on ignition and watch volt meter after glow plug cycles it should be no lower than 11.3-11.5v. NOW VERY IMPORTANT watch the volt meter as you engage the starter if the voltage drops below 9.5 volts then the battery is done. To test starter place the red probe on the ''pos'' terminal and the black probe on the positive terminal on the starter have the volt meter on 20volts and crank the starter if the volt drop is more than 1volt ( meter shows more than 1v) and all the connections and cable is in good shape it means the starter is shorted internally and drawing to many amps.

Hope this helps

Dustin

[shealy]

Thank you all so much for the speedy and very helpful replies! Thanks especially to Fishtank and Steven at Rising sun for nailing it on the head. Turns out it all it took was holding the brake pedal, relaying the gears P --> R --> P --> N --> P --.....and so on, then starting the van up again in P. Turned over no problem. Phew! Now, I can focus my efforts back to Rhino Guarding my Crystal Lite roof!!

[thedjjack]

Your switch is on the way out so time to replace or wire it so it starts in gear.....