Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 17:28
Ok. No leisure battery in the van?
lefty67 wrote:Ok. No leisure battery in the van?
Ah, yes.
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Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 17:35
Ah, yes.
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 17:42
Run a set of jump leads from leisure to starter and see what happens.
Check your oil level first though, just in case.
Check your oil level first though, just in case.
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 18:25
lefty67 wrote:Run a set of jump leads from leisure to starter and see what happens.
Check your oil level first though, just in case.
Erm... that sounds scary
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 18:46
All you are doing is using the leisure battery to jump start the van.
Alternatively you could swap it over just to see if you can get the engine to turn over.
Alternatively you could swap it over just to see if you can get the engine to turn over.
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 21:21
Mocki wrote:Back to basics here !
Check the oil !
Check the battery voltage .
Do NOT rock the van with it in gear , take it out of gear and see if you can turn the engine over with the alternator belt and pulley by hand first . ( even better if you can get a spanner or socket on the big nut in the centre of the main pulley )
If you can , even a little it’s doubtful it’s seized .
Did you have any starter motor issues previously? Turning slow , not turning at all on occasion ?
My money is on either the starter motor or the wiring so far with what’s been said .
Anyone in Barnsley near enough to go help ???
I've been otherwise engaged
I agree with Mocki, probably a wiring / starter motor solenoid problem Barnsley's almost the other end of the county (it's the biggest), so too far away for me to assist in person, sorry.
Given the lack of experience, I would recommend swapping the batteries over rather than jumping in situ. Disconnect earth first
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 22 Jan 2020, 23:09
A word of caution here .
If it’s a real leisure battery ( as opposed to a starter battery you are using as a leisure battery)
Don’t try and use for starting the van , it will damage the battery internally .
Put the van battery on a mains charger and wait until it’s charged or use a start pack or get a jump start
If it’s a real leisure battery ( as opposed to a starter battery you are using as a leisure battery)
Don’t try and use for starting the van , it will damage the battery internally .
Put the van battery on a mains charger and wait until it’s charged or use a start pack or get a jump start
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 23 Jan 2020, 00:21
Thought of joining a breakdown service?
It takes the stress out of not being mechanically minded,
with an old van you may get more than your moneys worth.
It takes the stress out of not being mechanically minded,
with an old van you may get more than your moneys worth.
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 23 Jan 2020, 06:33
That's a very good point even I get breakdown cover when I put my van on the road and I've been a mechanic for 30 years but you would NOT think sorollercoaster wrote:Thought of joining a breakdown service?
It takes the stress out of not being mechanically minded,
with an old van you may get more than your moneys worth.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 23 Jan 2020, 06:37
Thanks all. Really useful and really reassuring. I think I can rule out the engine being seized, which was the main source of my trauma. I'll contact my local mechanic to fix it and, if need be, get rescue service to transport it. I can pass on all the useful suggestions from here to him. I'll report back here when it's done (or not).
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 23 Jan 2020, 13:34
same here,
I have a fair bit of mechanical experience,
but would rather not, most of the time.
Do love calling for help,
even when, inevitably the trailer electrics are dodgy,
and I am parked in a field.
And twice now had my van transported by relay,
hundreds of miles to my chosen mechanic, relay.
Very good service to make use of.
For the fee, make use of what they offer.
Ps
with two new engines and fully recon gearboxes,
and as much refurbished as possible..
I may struggle to find reasons to call them,
one can live in hope!
I have a fair bit of mechanical experience,
but would rather not, most of the time.
Do love calling for help,
even when, inevitably the trailer electrics are dodgy,
and I am parked in a field.
And twice now had my van transported by relay,
hundreds of miles to my chosen mechanic, relay.
Very good service to make use of.
For the fee, make use of what they offer.
Ps
with two new engines and fully recon gearboxes,
and as much refurbished as possible..
I may struggle to find reasons to call them,
one can live in hope!
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 26 Jan 2020, 08:34
Phew! Battery charged, oiled topped to the max... started first time. Sounds fine. Battery light is on even after revving the engine.
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 26 Jan 2020, 08:39
Good.
Battery light on means it isn't charging. I suppose that was illuminated before.
Simple check, is the drive belt still there / tight.
If yes, then you need to check the output of the alternator with a multimeter.
Most likely the regulator needs replacing
Battery light on means it isn't charging. I suppose that was illuminated before.
Simple check, is the drive belt still there / tight.
If yes, then you need to check the output of the alternator with a multimeter.
Most likely the regulator needs replacing
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 26 Jan 2020, 09:10
937carrera wrote:Good.
Battery light on means it isn't charging. I suppose that was illuminated before.
Simple check, is the drive belt still there / tight.
If yes, then you need to check the output of the alternator with a multimeter.
Most likely the regulator needs replacing
Watched the drive belt spinning with utter glee. I need to get an auto electrician who isn't frightened of old engines. A rare breed.
Re: dead Van?
Posted: 26 Jan 2020, 09:18
Now, I really don't like the Kwik Fit school of engineering, but rather than get an auto electrician why not just swap the voltage regulator - £8.36 + delivery
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/voltage-re ... 14-5v.html
Only two screws to remove / replace it.
Take your old one out and put a photo up if you like.
My worry would be that an auto electrician might recommend a whole new alternator.
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/voltage-re ... 14-5v.html
Only two screws to remove / replace it.
Take your old one out and put a photo up if you like.
My worry would be that an auto electrician might recommend a whole new alternator.