Trouble Starting AutoSleeper Campervan on a 2008 Peugeot Boxer

[Gavin and Bigi]

I have an AutoSleeper campervan. It's based on a 2008 Peugeot Boxer - it's a diesel and has 94'000 miles on it.

I've only recently got it - 2 months ago. Since I've had it I've had trouble starting it.

I switch on the ignition and wait for the lights to go out.
Turn the key and it turns over for about 2 seconds and stops - I can hear it's struggling to turn over.
Switch off, switch on, wait for lights to go out and try again.
This time it turns over for a little more and stops again.
Repeat - and this time it starts.

It does this every time (from cold).

I have changed the battery - no difference.

Any ideas? Is this normal?

 

[MichaelT]

Check earth strap from battery is good

 

[Lenny HB]

Check earth strap from battery is good

And the engine to chassis earth strap thats the one that normally gives problems.

 

[Gavin and Bigi]

And is this starting issue a common symptom of this?

 

[Miggs]

Bad earth or knackered starter motor.

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[Boringfrog]

I've got a 2010 Boxer, never wait for the dash light to go out, key in and start it up.

 

[Gavin and Bigi]

I've got a 2010 Boxer, never wait for the dash light to go out, key in and start it up.

Thanks, how long have you had it - any issues I should be aware of? Has it been reliable?

 

[Boringfrog]

Thanks, how long have you had it - any issues I should be aware of? Has it been reliable?

Had it nearly 3 years, very reliable. Is it the 2.2 engine?

 

[Gavin and Bigi]

Had it nearly 3 years, very reliable. Is it the 2.2 engine?

Yes, it's the 2.2

 

[Carpmart]

Try powering the starter motor directly from a battery so you can isolate the issue being poor connection or knackered/lazy starter motor.

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[L' Hobo]

I've got a 2010 Boxer, never wait for the dash light to go out, key in and start it up.

I'm surprised that your vehicle manual tells you to do that because, the manual for my 2007 Fiat Ducato, tells me to wait until the yellow light in particular, and other lights in general, have been extinguished before turning ignition key to start position?

Different engine & make, I know, but...?

 

[L' Hobo]

I have an AutoSleeper campervan. It's based on a 2008 Peugeot Boxer - it's a diesel and has 94'000 miles on it.

I've only recently got it - 2 months ago. Since I've had it I've had trouble starting it.

I switch on the ignition and wait for the lights to go out.
Turn the key and it turns over for about 2 seconds and stops - I can hear it's struggling to turn over.
Switch off, switch on, wait for lights to go out and try again.
This time it turns over for a little more and stops again.
Repeat - and this time it starts.

It does this every time (from cold).

I have changed the battery - no difference.

Any ideas? Is this normal?

You say you have 'changed the battery ' , was it to a new one?

 

[Gavin and Bigi]

You say you have 'changed the battery ' , was it to a new one?

Yes, a new one

 

[GeoffnDee]

The starter motor power supply connection at the starter battery positive terminal plate could also be worth checking for tightness.

 

[Andacami]

And is this starting issue a common symptom of this?

Yes, it can be, and also, it could affect the charging of the battery once you get going therefore exacerbating the issue.

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[L' Hobo]

Yes, a new one

In that case, although I cannot comment on Peugeot (because I've never had one) the earth lead from the chassis to the engine on the older Ducato's was always suspect and putting a second from the chassis to the gearbox, solved a lot of electrical problems. These can be bought cheaply from Halfords (get the solid not the braided)
Good luck!

 

[PP Bear]

Sounds daft, but I’ve literally just helped out a lady at the storage yard who was having trouble getting started and recently had a new battery fitted. Somewhere along the line someone told her it needed a new alternator as the battery wasn’t doing its job. A quick look at the battery and both terminals were still loose. Tightened them up and everything was as good as gold. Another guy I know also had his battery replaced, but the battery terminals were slightly smaller than the one he had removed and the +/- terminals wouldn’t tighten enough. I sorted that one out by removing the terminals, filing the clapping face and allowed them to tighten correctly. Halfrauds that time with the totally inexperienced and untrained “technicians” causing more problems than repaired. Funniest thing was that he called me as it was playing up in town, only to find a young AA guy, trying to hammer in a small nail to help take up the slack at the terminals.

Daft as a hairbrush, but your new battery is all fitted correctly etc

 

[Gavin and Bigi]

Sounds daft, but I’ve literally just helped out a lady at the storage yard who was having trouble getting started and recently had a new battery fitted. Somewhere along the line someone told her it needed a new alternator as the battery wasn’t doing its job. A quick look at the battery and both terminals were still loose. Tightened them up and everything was as good as gold. Another guy I know also had his battery replaced, but the battery terminals were slightly smaller than the one he had removed and the +/- terminals wouldn’t tighten enough. I sorted that one out by removing the terminals, filing the clapping face and allowed them to tighten correctly. Halfrauds that time with the totally inexperienced and untrained “technicians” causing more problems than repaired. Funniest thing was that he called me as it was playing up in town, only to find a young AA guy, trying to hammer in a small nail to help take up the slack at the terminals.

Daft as a hairbrush, but your new battery is all fitted correctly etc

Thanks, the terminals are all tight on mine.

 

[L' Hobo]

Of course, the easy way of checking if it's an earth problem is to connect a jump lead, from the negative battery terminal, to a good earth point on the chassis!

 

[Carpmart]

Of course, the easy way of checking if it's an earth problem is to connect a jump lead, from the negative battery terminal, to a good earth point on the chassis!

Agree, and as you have the jump leads out, you can also check the starter motor too!

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[FrankNicklin]

A work colleague called a RAC out to his EV. The 12V battery had failed. When removing the battery the RAC guy shredded the battery retaining plate bolt so it could not be tightened. When asked what he was going to do about it the guy just shrugged his shoulders and said not my problem we dont carry the tools to do repairs like this. Guy didn't even have a drill or the ability to tap a hole for a stand M10 bolt. Colleague had to to the repair himself. Shocking level of service.

 

[gus-lopez]

I'm surprised that your vehicle manual tells you to do that because, the manual for my 2007 Fiat Ducato, tells me to wait until the yellow light in particular, and other lights in general, have been extinguished before turning ignition key to start position?

Different engine & make, I know, but...?

The Ford 2,2 engine in the Peugeot,& obviously the Transit it comes from,is not as fussy about waiting for the lights to go out ,whereas the Fiat will scramble its ecu.

 

[mitzimad]

Of course, the easy way of checking if it's an earth problem is to connect a jump lead, from the negative battery terminal, to a good earth point on the chassis!

i think you mean a good spot on the engine as its the chassis to engine braid that normally breaks down id put one end on the chassis and one on the engine

 

[FrankNicklin]

Its good practise to wait for the glowplug lights to extinguish before attempting to start unless the engine is hot. Up until my most recent car I've had diesels for 25 years or more and now have my diesel MH. Some engines the light will go out very quickly and you almost don't have to wait for it but on the MH 1.9 diesel there is a short wait, not long, maybe only a second or so, but a wait never the less.

 

[Boringfrog]

I'm surprised that your vehicle manual tells you to do that because, the manual for my 2007 Fiat Ducato, tells me to wait until the yellow light in particular, and other lights in general, have been extinguished before turning ignition key to start position?

Different engine & make, I know, but...?

Is that the older Ducato with the Jtd engine or the facelift with the Hdi engine?

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[FrankNicklin]

Is that the older Ducato with the Jtd engine or the facelift with the Hdi engine?

The age of the vehicle shouldn't make any difference. You should always wait for the glowplug warning light to go out before starting. It warms the cylinder chamber/air to aid initial combustion. The colder the weather the more effort required to start the engine.

 

[L' Hobo]

Is that the older Ducato with the Jtd engine or the facelift with the Hdi engine?

It's the X250

 

[L' Hobo]

i think you mean a good spot on the engine as its the chassis to engine braid that normally breaks down id put one end on the chassis and one on the engine

I think you are confusing yourself and the OP because you, initially seem to be saying one thing, and then another.

If the OP does what I suggest, it will bypass the original braided earth lead!

 

[Gavin and Bigi]

Turns out it was the starter motor. It failed completely. Replacement was only £230. Now it starts very quickly and easily

 

[Diabalo]

Thanks for the update