Starter problem, battery or motor help please

[Puddleduck]

 

[Landy Andy]

The smell could be a failed or failing earth strap causing arcing. Similar with a loose connection, which would most likely be on battery, or starter motor.

I’d also a remove the hab electrical connection to the starter battery in case the hab electrics are constantly drawing power from your starter battery.

 

[DavidG58]

Some of you make these jobs sound so simple, I wouldn’t have a clue where to start, but I am genuinely grateful for the advice

On the basis that all has been well for 12 years I am going to hope we can keep this simple and just swap the battery and go back to enjoying being away

But on a technical note and thinking along the same lines, I guess the connections to the starter battery are linked to the hab battery, that sounds like an accident waiting to happen when changed I hope turning off the Reich controller will isolate the hab feed ?

The smell could be a failed or failing earth strap causing arcing. Similar with a loose connection, which would most likely be on battery, or starter motor.

I’d also a remove the hab electrical connection to the starter battery in case the hab electrics are constantly drawing power from your starter battery.

 

[Landy Andy]

In my experience you can not be sure that the hab battery won’t back feed to the vans system. Due to this I would, disconnect the negative terminal on the starter battery, then the live terminal, but then immediately protect the live terminal from shorting. Such as putting it into a Marigold washing up glove, or similar.

I assume you don’t have jump leads with you just the start pack?
Have you tried the start pack on the jump terminals under the bonnet?

 

[DavidG58]

We do carry both jump leads and the NOCO, bought extra long leads thinking I could jump from leisure batteries to jump connections under bonnet nope leisure batts are too close to cabinet roof to get to terminals without removing

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[Landy Andy]

With a jump lead, have you tried connecting the negative terminal of the starter battery directly to the engine block, (any big lump of metal attached to the engine) this will bypass a bad earth connection.

 

[DavidG58]

With a jump lead, have you tried connecting the negative terminal of the starter battery directly to the engine block, (any big lump of metal attached to the engine) this will bypass a bad earth connection.

No, but will bear it in mind when the man is here tomorrow , but sounds a nice easy try to rule out the earth strap suggestions

 

[Raul]

We do carry both jump leads and the NOCO, bought extra long leads thinking I could jump from leisure batteries to jump connections under bonnet nope leisure batts are too close to cabinet roof to get to terminals without removing

Why not clip the NOCO under the bonnet, leave for 1 min then start it.
No need for jump leads.

 

[DavidG58]

Why not clip the NOCO under the bonnet, leave for 1 min then start it.
No need for jump leads.

That post was out of context for the thread

 

[gus-lopez]

In my experience you can not be sure that the hab battery won’t back feed to the vans system.

Yep I always used to isolate them as well along with the solar panels which will also back feed.

. Due to this I would, disconnect the negative terminal on the starter battery, then the live terminal, but then immediately protect the live terminal from shorting. Such as putting it into a Marigold washing up glove, or similar.

Exactly what I do on my underseat starter battery every time. That's after isolating all the above, + I then cable tie the rubber glove on each.

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[AdrianChen]

I did put the NOCO directly on the battery and didn’t notice but will look again tomorrow

I guess the NOCO does need some input from the battery, so if that is low or badly earthed the Noco on its own may struggle?

 

[Nanniemate]

Isn't there an old school of thought that says whack a starter motor with a hammer if it sticks?

I hope so , went out to mine yesterday and nothing, put on hookup went out today and nothing

All warning lights came oncand went off
Turned key and
Click
When I get chance the mallet is coming out to give the starter a whack
But won't be until end of week as work will get in way
Just got to find the starter motor ..

 

[AdrianChen]

I think it must have given 14V to activate the D+ relay as the AES fridge had definitely moved to 12V

I may be out of date, but on older alternators D+ was often supplied by a secondary diode trio separate from the main pack/rectifier, so it is possible that the D+ is giving 14, while the main pack is not.

Worth getting the sparky to check the alternator output/earthing before popping in a new battery, only to get the same results.....

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

On my NOCO GB70 there is a intelligence button when no voltage is detected you press the intelligence button which overrides the Noco jump part of the pack so when you press the button it basically puts 12v into the system then wait a minute start the vehicle and you can drive it it is in the instructions.

 

[DavidG58]

Cavalry is here

Still doesn’t start but his battery tester says 90% OK even after trying to start

But battery is being changed anyway, he says if he finds a different fault he will put the old battery back, but I don’t think I will let him just change it as a precaution

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[Puddleduck]

Keep the old battery as a spare if another fault is found.

 

[DavidG58]

It’s not the battery got whiff of burning again , engine not even turning

Looks like this display shows all is good with the battery

 

[Landy Andy]

got whiff of burning again

Where is the smell. Inside or outside?

 

[DavidG58]

Further investigation underway but mechanic thinks starter motor and that would be a workshop job not mobile

 

[DavidG58]

Seen photo of starter motor, connections look rusty which he says isn’t good , he is going to attempt to disconnect and clean , while we pray

He is worried they are so rusted they might break, so doing it at my risk , but as Terry would probably be saying ‘it’s broke already it will just be a bit more broken’

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[DavidG58]

Where is the smell. Inside or outside?

Definitely confirmed as coming from the connection to the starter motor , I turned key while man underneath

 

[Odd-no-more]

Definitely confirmed as coming from the connection to the starter motor , I turned key while man underneath

 

[Langtoftlad]

At least he sounds like a proper fella
Love his Hector on his van.
Hope he can [temporarily at least] make a fix

 

[Landy Andy]

At least new starter is an easy job

 

[DavidG58]

At least new starter is an easy job

For someone I agree, having seen how easily this chap got to the connections

They did come apart , cleaned rebuilt, still nothing

The company who came out don’t do repairs he has given us a mobile mechanic who says he might fit us in next week, but needed to be home to confirm exactly, calling him back in the morning

The plus sides are good, we are on a campsite not the side of the A9 or way down a lane in the highlands where we were on Friday night

Campsite over 65 rate with hook up £31, things could be so much worse we even have decent WiFi and a spare starter battery

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[lorger]

DavidG58 not sure if this will help but if you’re struggling try Graham (contact details below) he’s from central belt but mobile and with a bit of luck he may be up your way as he covers whole of Scotland

 

[Landy Andy]

Talk to the owner/staff of the campsite you are on, they may have a person who does their vehicle/machinery repairs.
You are only looking at a hour, or so job.
If me I would be trying to source a new stater, so you at least have one, if someone says they can squeeze you in.
Possibly another camper on the site maybe willing to help. If I was there I’d stab a starter in for you.

Assume your auto, if not tow start a drive home.

 

[DavidG58]

Talk to the owner/staff of the campsite you are on, they may have a person who does their vehicle/machinery repairs

On it, they also mentioned the same mobile man we had already been given, but he has said he will google local options for us as he knows the area

If I was there I’d stab a starter in for you.

I so wish you were here

We are looking at options to get a starter motor shipped to us to simplify the job maybe, presuming I buy the right one

 

[Just smiffy]

Changed my starter motor outside the motor factors on the path in Spain last November…

 

[Landy Andy]

We are looking at options to get a starter motor shipped to us to simplify the job maybe, presuming I buy the right one

If you want to guarantee you have the correct part. Talk to coastal motorhomes. They will select the part via your vin no.

They post quick, and will do a discount

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