Intermittent Starting Problem (1 Viewer)

[orridge]

Hi,

We have a 2009 Hymer on 2.3 JTD Engine that started playing up this week similar to GAVLAD Problems.

Just spent 2 weeks driving around Denmark and Germany no problem but pulled onto campsite in Amsterdam switched off the engine and went to restart to go on chocks and the dashboard flickered and all power went out. After plugging in the Ehu for a few moment restarted fine.

Set off for Brugges pull into the fuel station 1 hour down the road for LPG and the same thing would not start, used the booster pack and started the first time.

The battery seems to be hold 12.8v but not enough to turn over upon starting, we have a battery master fitted along with solar, checked all the connections etc.

Called the recovery in Dunkirk and waited for a French recovery van to arrive which didn't and after six hours decided to jump-start again and try to get on the ferry and sort once back in the UK.

In Dunkirk needed to jumpstart, on the ferry needed to jumpstart then drove home for about an hour to stop for Diesel and of course, it started first time.

This morning started the first time with no problem 3 or 4 times and has no been plugged in overnight.

I am thinking the battery (age unknown) is borderline hence only a small boost will start the engine but as heading off to France in a few weeks for the RWC don't want the hassle of it happening again.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[LesW]

The first thing I would check is the engine earth strap.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the battery is more than4 years old probably worth changing.
Also fit a new earth strap from gearbox to body and check the battery earth strap.

 

[dazandandrea]

Replace earth straps and check and clean battery connections

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

J

Hi,

We have a 2009 Hymer on 2.3 JTD Engine that started playing up this week similar to GAVLAD Problems.

Just spent 2 weeks driving around Denmark and Germany no problem but pulled onto campsite in Amsterdam switched off the engine and went to restart to go on chocks and the dashboard flickered and all power went out. After plugging in the Ehu for a few moment restarted fine.

Set off for Brugges pull into the fuel station 1 hour down the road for LPG and the same thing would not start, used the booster pack and started the first time.

The battery seems to be hold 12.8v but not enough to turn over upon starting, we have a battery master fitted along with solar, checked all the connections etc.

Called the recovery in Dunkirk and waited for a French recovery van to arrive which didn't and after six hours decided to jump-start again and try to get on the ferry and sort once back in the UK.

In Dunkirk needed to jumpstart, on the ferry needed to jumpstart then drove home for about an hour to stop for Diesel and of course, it started first time.

This morning started the first time with no problem 3 or 4 times and has no been plugged in overnight.

I am thinking the batter (age unknown) is borderline hence only a small boost will start the engine but as heading off to France in a few weeks for the RWC don't want the hassle of it happening again.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Just A thought, but is the starter motor sticking occasionally.
Had a very similar problem with ours but a much older (2001) ducato diesel, changed battery and new earth straps, no better, new starter motor and away we went.
Been fine since.
But I dont have battery master or solar fitted anywhere, so cab battery ( engine) is purely for starting.
Just a thought though.

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[orridge]

Thanks all for the advice.

Had the AA out yesterday and would appear the battery had not been installed very well with the connectors flush near the top of the connectors instead of at the bottom so had likely become moved overtime and although screwed tight not a good connection that worked loose over time, especially with all the potholes we have down here in Sussex.

A couple reseat and testing seems to be ok so fingers crossed.

 

[A S R]

Starter motor playing up? I had something similar and thought it was an immobiliser problem. Pulled into the services on the M6 one day, turned it off, 10 mins later …… nothing. Called out recovery people but whilst sat there I slid under the front of the van, smacked the starter motor a couple of times and bingo! Cancelled recovery, bought a new starter motor and it’s been fine ever since.