Engine won’t start (1 Viewer)

[GAVLAD]

On site in Spain and just tried to reposition motorhome ready for an early departure tomorrow and could not start the engine.
All usual dashboard lights come on but very weak cranking of the engine - two attempts and then nothing.
But yet my control panel shows 12.9v engine battery and 13.1v Hab batteries.

Any ideas what it could be?

I had a new earth strap fitted on last service.
no issues on journey here.

I’ve called my insurance breakdown and awaiting their European partner Optiva? To call me.
Fortunately, I am on a site and not on a road or aire.

 

[Guigsy]

Give the battery terminals a wiggle. If they're loose, it'll look like you've got good voltage, but deliver poor cranking current.

 

[PeterCarole29]

Agree with last post clutching at straws but check also for corrosion on the clamps and cable ends.
You had new earth strap did you have a previous problem that could have course a problem over time with your current battery

 

[Boldly]

If you have jump leads connect hab battery to cab battery and try that

 

[Landy Andy]

Have you got an immobiliser fitted?

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[landscaper]

Is their a yellow padlock coming up on your dashboard?

 

[Guigsy]

Would an immobiliser issue cause the slow crank?

 

[GAVLAD]

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your replies.
I took the earth strap off and cleaned the terminals and bolt eye.
My Dutch neighbour had a power jump pack so we connected that and it started.
I’ve left it running for half an hour and will revisit it tomorrow.
If worst comes to worst there’s a Bosch Garage come Penta Volvo boats/engines garage just up the road so will see if they can supply a new battery.
Once again, thank you all.

Just for info, the breakdown company has yet to get in touch (4.5hrs ago from calling)

 

[GAVLAD]

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your replies.
I took the earth strap off and cleaned the terminals and bolt eye.
My Dutch neighbour had a power jump pack so we connected that and it started.
I’ve left it running for half an hour and will revisit it tomorrow.
If worst comes to worst there’s a Bosch Garage come Penta Volvo boats/engines garage just up the road so will see if they can supply a new battery.
Once again, thank you all.

Just for info, the breakdown company has yet to get in touch (4.5hrs ago from calling)

 

[GAVLAD]

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your replies.
I took the earth strap off and cleaned the terminals and bolt eye.
My Dutch neighbour had a power jump pack so we connected that and it started.
I’ve left it running for half an hour and will revisit it tomorrow.
If worst comes to worst there’s a Bosch Garage come Penta Volvo boats/engines garage just up the road so will see if they can supply a new battery.
Once again, thank you all.

Just for info, the breakdown company has yet to get in touch (4.5hrs ago from calling)

No yellow padlock so don’t think it was immobilised

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[GAVLAD]

Sorry sausage fingers pressed twice

 

[Jev88]

Check earth's and Add another battery to engine block. Then check and clean main power connector to starter motor.

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your replies.
I took the earth strap off and cleaned the terminals and bolt eye.
My Dutch neighbour had a power jump pack so we connected that and it started.
I’ve left it running for half an hour and will revisit it tomorrow.
If worst comes to worst there’s a Bosch Garage come Penta Volvo boats/engines garage just up the road so will see if they can supply a new battery.
Once again, thank you all.

Just for info, the breakdown company has yet to get in touch (4.5hrs ago from calling)

Any update?

 

[DavidG58]

I would suspect that had you been able to see the battery voltage display when trying to start it will have dropped well down while cranking

New battery probably needed or a good charge possibly, have you been on hook up? If so is your charger working

 

[GAVLAD]

Hello all, just a quick update. I managed to get the engine started this morning on site by using two power packs to jump start it.
I have drove to the nearest Fiat dealership and they have tested the battery and although he didn’t show me the diagnostic print out, said he would fit a new battery. As they sold the last one yesterday, he’s hopeful that they can get one delivered within the hour. So I’m not sure whether this is a process of elimination or whether it is the battery at fault.
We’re communicating via Google translate on my phone. But they’re very helpful and to settle our anxieties, that will do for me.

We were on electric hook up and according to the habitation control panel, all was fine. Plus the solar regulator was working fine.

I had a ctek battery charger which reconditions the batteries but disconnected it half way through our stay because it wasn’t getting a power LED signal when plugged into the mains. I’m now wondering whether that was the sign to tell me there was an issue. Unless the ctek is goosed. (Even when disconnected from the battery it didn’t show a power light).
Whilst engine running the control panel showed the engine battery as 13.1v
When engine off it was 12.7v but riding upwards due to the solar panels and battery master.

Fingers crossed they will source a battery and that will be the cure. Otherwise it could be a long weekend on Fiat’s forecourt.

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[GAVLAD]

Update
Fitted new battery and it wouldn’t start.
They tried a jump pack onto new battery terminals but it still wouldn’t start.
They then tried the jump pack connected to the terminals under the bonnet and it wouldn’t start.
They moved the earth jump pack lead to connect onto the engine block and it started.
They’ve said that there’s a cable fault somewhere and have asked us to go wonder around the industrial estate whilst they have siesta and will then investigate further.

 

[GAVLAD]

Update
Fitted new battery and it wouldn’t start.
They tried a jump pack onto new battery terminals but it still wouldn’t start.
They then tried the jump pack connected to the terminals under the bonnet and it wouldn’t start.
They moved the earth jump pack lead to connect onto the engine block and it started.
They’ve said that there’s a cable fault somewhere and have asked us to go wonder around the industrial estate whilst they have siesta and will then investigate further.

 

[Russ N Tracey]

Could be a starter motor problem. I had to on an old car when I removed the starter motor I found worn bearings which meant I had slow cranking speed which wouldn't start a cold engine, it was fine when warm.

 

[GeoffnDee]

The engine/gearbox to body earth cable could be the problem (or its connections) , this is the one that normally causes problems and may also account for the apparent low charging with the engine running (the other battery to body earth cable may have been the one changed when serviced)

 

[charliesgrandad]

The engine/gearbox to body earth cable could be the problem (or its connections) , this is the one that normally causes problems and may also account for the apparent low charging with the engine running

I had a similar problem a few years ago and it was the engine to body cable which Green Flag removed and cleaned up and refitted and all was well , on returning home my son fitted another one so now I have 2

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[gus-lopez]

could be the live cable to the starter solenoid.I had that used to either get out & waggle it or jump it direct from battery to terminal with a length of cable & ignition on.

 

[pagey]

my vote is for the earth cable

 

[Jev88]

Replace your battery and starter motor earth (already said). No harm adding additional earth on older vans too. I went battery to engine lifting eye and convenient gearbox bolt to inner wing mount.

 

[GAVLAD]

We’re in the waiting room now but at least the A/C works and it’s better than sat under a tree for shade. Hopefully they’ll have some good news soon. I’d like to think they’d be checking all the connections mentioned

 

[GAVLAD]

there’s the culprit - engine earth strap
Replaced and all seems good minus a hefty chunk out of my wallet but needs must
Thanks for all of your suggestions

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[scotzsue]

GAVLAD glad you have it sorted.

 

[Just smiffy]

It amazes me sometimes that thousands can be spent diagnosing faults on vehicles when sometimes it’s the most obvious or the simplest of things….

Glad your sorted as breaking down away from home is a worrying time…

 

[EuroTrotters]

Happy & safe onward travels

 

[Guigsy]

there’s the culprit - engine earth strap
Replaced and all seems good minus a hefty chunk out of my wallet but needs must
Thanks for all of your suggestions View attachment 796628

That looks fine. And didn't you say it was replaced last year?

 

[pagey]

As I said earth strap they corrode inside the fittings at the ends may even be some of the cause of the airbag fails

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