O/t Transit starting problems: Fred?

[Cavcraft]

1998 100 LWD 2.5D:Randomly wouldn't start and no 'click' from starter motor. Would take 2 or 3 goes and then it would fire up.Recently it's become far more random and will start one minute then not the next regardless of how far it's been driven etc.Tried jiggling the wire to the starter but that made no odds, ditto piddling about when putting key into ignition. Took 15 minutes to start the other day then just magically fired up as if nothing was wrong.Any likely problems/achilles heels/suggestions please?Thanks in advance.

[FredTransit]

So are you saying it turns over a lot and doesn't fire? Basics first, how healthy is the battery? Next when did you last have an oil change? Gummy old oil gives far more resistance in an old engine. Ones it's turned over loads, the friction thins the oil and improves the firing, If nothing's happening, could be the wire on the starter motor. If it's a spade connection it could be just loosing contact (the starter is the first stop after the battery, it carries the power through to the loom). The wire could also be breaking down.

[OwdChina]

Had this a while back, ...ign lights etc all on, but turn key to start an bugger all power to starter motor. Turned out to be ign. barrel fault.

[FredTransit]

Yep check the barrel hasn't parted company with the wiring loom at the back of the barrel.

[simmo]

If you are saying it isn't cranking intermittently? Try puting a voltmeter between battery earth and the starter energiser wire (with the ign switch in the start position, so you will need assistance)and then bat earth the main starter wire. If you have battery voltage on both and it not cranking it is the starter at fault. If no or low voltage on the energiser wire you are looking at this wiring or ignition switch. The older transits (Mk IIs) used to burn out a bulkhead block connector on this circuit.Low or no voltage on the main battery starter wire could be a bad connection on lead possibe at battery terminal.Check the main starter wire against an engine earth is this gives a lower than battery voltage it could do with a better engine earth try a jump lead between bat earth and engine (earth) this will double up the earth and voltage should than be battery voltage.

[FredTransit]

This is a Mk5 simmo mate, they sorted the wiring loom fault as far as I know (the first loom connector block in the glove box) which is why it didn't cross my mind.

[simmo]

Thought it would of been sorted but just brain-stormin the problem lol

[M'coli]

These have the same engine as the 2002 LDVs don't they? Next door's LDV had the same problem - it was taking 20-30 tries - it was caused by clutch dust gumming up the starter motor. He'd to get a new motor fitted, and no warranty was given as the dust is magnetically attracted to the motor windings, and hence it could happen again in a week, a month or never.

[FredTransit]

If it's a DI that's not something I have ever had a problem with, BUT the latest ickle starter that's supposed to be for the DI doesn't last.

[Cavcraft]

Cheers peeps, sorry for delay replying but got it going and was doing a job in it, just back in now!It's a 2.5 Di model and when I turn the key sod all happens, it's not clicking and it's not turning over. Spoke to a mechanic at the job I've just done and he reckoned starter motor though it seems strange to me how it'll not do anything at all one minute then suddenly fire up after a few attempts. I have to say I honestly suspected ignition though everything else works fine and jiggling the key about a bit didn't make any odds.Cheers,

[FredTransit]

Intermittent fault . It's a transit!

[Cavcraft]

Haha, I wouldn't flaming care if it was something like the radio but I need the b*st*rd to start when it's supposed to

[FredTransit]

No idea why this works, but have you tried waggling the gearstick from side to side?

[Cavcraft]

Yes Tried that as well as turning wipers,lights and hazards on plus wiggling key in ignition. It's more random than a random thing I tells thee!

[FredTransit]

Shame, works every time with one of me Mk2s......

[Richard]

Is it not an issue with the transponder/ receiver?

[andrew e]

Clean the earth strap?

[Volksy]

Try starting it in the dark, if the dashlights/headlights go dim(mer) you know that there is resistance somewhere, so more than likely a starter fault/earth problem. If they don't then you're looking at an ignition/wiring fault or the actual switch/immobiliser itself. I had a Fiat Seicento witha similar problem, turned out to be the wiring to the switch catching on the steering column, so when the steering was in a certain position it would cause it to act 'dead'.Also had an old Renault B35D (the BIG master) which would only start sometimes by wiggling the gearstick, seems that this was just enough to 'tap' the ringgear round a couple of mm or so to trigger the starter into action.