Vauxhall Combo Not Starting! HELP !!!

[Jimmy8su]

Ive just bought a van for my business and its decided not to start on me!
Its a Vauxhall combo Epic 775 1.7d.
When I turn the ignition into position II all the dash lights come on as normal and the light with the coil goes out after 2-3 seconds.
Then when turning to position III (to start the engine) I get nothing! Not even a click sound.
I have fully charged the battery and its good as new (showing green light).
Can anyone help me with any suggestions on what it may be or what to try?
Thanks .

[credit crunch victim]

dodgy battery connection
imobiliser problem maybe
do the dash lights dim when you try yo start it

[jeannieblue]

Coil pack need replacing? Sounds like it. Good place to start.

[goldspanners]

so the engine isnt turning over when the key is in start position.
i would say a blown fuse, battery connection,bad connection at starter motor or a knackered / lazy starter motor.
if you can get a hammer shaft and hit the starter motor when someone else is holding the key in start position (dont make them hold it in that position for too long) the engine will turn over when you strike the starter motor if the motor is lazy.
i suggest using the shaft of the hammer to prevent damage to the motor casing and to prevent the head of the hammer shorting out the positive terminals at the motor.

keep us informed.

[hewhoisnotintheknow]

there was a thread identical to this about a month ago, have a search

[Conor]

Originally Posted by jeannieblue

Coil pack need replacing? Sounds like it. Good place to start.

On a diesel?

[Conor]

Originally Posted by Jimmy8su

Ive just bought a van for my business and its decided not to start on me!
Its a Vauxhall combo Epic 775 1.7d.
When I turn the ignition into position II all the dash lights come on as normal and the light with the coil goes out after 2-3 seconds.
Then when turning to position III (to start the engine) I get nothing! Not even a click sound.
I have fully charged the battery and its good as new (showing green light).
Can anyone help me with any suggestions on what it may be or what to try?
Thanks .

If non of the lights go dim or out completely, starter motor. could be something as simple as the small spade terminal "switch" connection being dodgy. Could be the solenoid. £50 should see it sorted.

[Jimmy8su]

Thanks for the ideas people and in answer to some of your questions.
Dash lights do not dim on trying to start.
The car will bump start so cant be immobiliser.( I Think?)
The starter motor does not even try to turn over.
The battery terminals are good as i tested with a meter.
Yes its diesel.

I think conor you maybe on the right track but where do i find the solenoid to replace. Is by the ignition switch?
Sorry for being a bit thick about all of this but if you dont ask you will never know!
Thanks again.

[Jimmy8su]

Originally Posted by hewhoisnotintheknow

there was a thread identical to this about a month ago, have a search

I think I know which thread you are talking about but I found it of no use as they were having different symptoms.
But thanks any how.

[goldspanners]

Originally Posted by Jimmy8su

Thanks for the ideas people and in answer to some of your questions.
Dash lights do not dim on trying to start.
The car will bump start so cant be immobiliser.( I Think?)
The starter motor does not even try to turn over.
The battery terminals are good as i tested with a meter.
Yes its diesel.

I think conor you maybe on the right track but where do i find the solenoid to replace. Is by the ignition switch?
Sorry for being a bit thick about all of this but if you dont ask you will never know!
Thanks again.

the solenoid is on the starter motor. like i said.

[credit crunch victim]

i should have been clearer as i meant the headlights
turn them on when you try to start the car if the battery is knackered they will go very dim
if not you can then look to the above
also thought it is not a good idea to bump start diesel engines

[tim158]

there are 2 wires on the starter motor usally one thick and one thin.

The thin one provide 12 volts to the starter solinoid from the ignition switch when you turn the key to position 3.

most common fault is a bad/corroded connection at the starter solinoid, remove and refit a few times cleans the connection but it would require a new connection fitting if badly corroded.

I think the starter is at the rear of the engine covered by a plate so a pit or ramp my be required,

If you can bump the car it will be a start motor fault or wiring to it

Tim

[redux]

If not the starter solenoid connections, another thing can be that the starter ring gear has not disengaged from the last start. If so, on level ground with the ignition off handbrake off and a gear selected, just rocking the car back and forth a bit would free it.

[Jimmy8su]

I got under the van and gave the starter motor a knock with the shaft of a hammer. Now when I turn the key I can here a click sound from the solenoid but nothing from the starter motor.! Iam guessing that the starter has seized as the first time I turned the key their was a faint burning smell.
Thanks for the suggestions people I will let you know how I get on.

[tim158]

if your car will bump start there are 3 possible problems:

starter worn - will require removing and bench testing or change it

wiring fault - carry out a drop test on + & - ciruit

flywheel ring gear worn - unlikly but possible

hope it helps

[goldspanners]

sound like the starter is gubbed.

get a recon'd unit for around £50. cheaper than a new one by miles.

[Jimmy8su]

Got the starter motor off ,it was underneath the engine towards the back of the engine. Took it apart and the bushes were knackered! So got a brand new starter for £70 off trusted seller on ebay . Put the starter motor in and it started at the second time of asking. Great I thought. Problem solved.
Went back the next morning to start again and starter not turning fast enough to start engine. Getting slower turns with every try. The temp outside was about -1 and I think the battery is not powerfull enough for the engine (think it needs heavy duty battery). Iam putting in more powerfull battery tomorrow and ill let u all know how it goes. If anyone else has any ideas why it doesnt turn fast enough plz let me know and ill take your ideas on board.
Thanks People for all your help so far.
J.D

[goldspanners]

Originally Posted by Jimmy8su

Got the starter motor off ,it was underneath the engine towards the back of the engine. Took it apart and the bushes were knackered! So got a brand new starter for £70 off trusted seller on ebay . Put the starter motor in and it started at the second time of asking. Great I thought. Problem solved.
Went back the next morning to start again and starter not turning fast enough to start engine. Getting slower turns with every try. The temp outside was about -1 and I think the battery is not powerfull enough for the engine (think it needs heavy duty battery). Iam putting in more powerfull battery tomorrow and ill let u all know how it goes. If anyone else has any ideas why it doesnt turn fast enough plz let me know and ill take your ideas on board.
Thanks People for all your help so far.
J.D

if its not turning fast enough then the battery will be at fault. try jump starting it and run it for a bit to charge the battery up,maybe the battery has not recovered from the use it had previously?

[Jimmy8su]

Put in new battery and still strugled. Started eventually. But not reliable.
Starter turns ok and when its trying to start their is a little bit of smoke from the engine. Could this be glow plugs faulty as I have been told that they may smoke a little when not working properly.
Thanks.

[goldspanners]

originally the van wouldnt turn over,you put a starter in it and then it would turn over but not fast enough,so you replaced the battery,has the battery made the engine turn over faster on start up?

before trying to start the engine,turn the ignition on until the glow plug light goes out on the dashboard,when it does turn the ignition off and then quickly on again,let the glow plug light go out again and then repeat this process so you have powered up the glowplugs 3 times so if there is a bit of life left in them it will help heat them up,then on the last time the light goes out try and start it,if it starts no bother then your glow plugs are probably on thier way out.
this was similar to the thread on here a few weeks ago,i think the outcome of thier fault was glow plugs.