Rugeley Tim If the ignition is totally dead the fuse diagram shows there is a fuse in the under bonnet fuse box that is linked to the ignition switch , fuse FO3 (30amp). (up to 2014 Fiat Ducato)
VAN WON'T START
- Thread starter Rugeley Tim
- Start date
OP
OP
Sorry for not replying unfortunately I am still working from home and really busy at the moment, I have every intention of trying all your suggestions this afternoon and will let you know how I get on. Roll on retirement in May after 43 years of Army life, hopefully the van will be more reliable if it is used more!!
Badknee
LIFE MEMBER
It probably will be
OP
OP
Just a quick update van now started, it was an earthing problem quick clean and now all good many thanks for all the replies, Motorhome fun comes up trumps as always.
Was it the engine to body or the battery to body earth connection that was the problem ?
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OP
OP
Engine to body pretty corroded but replaced the bolt and cleaned the terminal and all ok.
Nice to hear it was a cheap and easy fix.
It's generally thought that using the same chassis connection and a second earth wire ( you can buy these at Halfords etc.) to one of the bell housing bolts saves an awful lot of electrical problems.
Thanks for letting us know the outcome, not everyone does.
OP
OP
Van has cost me a fortune over the past few years as you can see from the opening comments not really sure how much else there is to go wrong, I would bin it but we love the layout and when it is working ok it is a brilliant van which covers all our needs. Trouble is I struggle when I start to lose confidence in something and this van is very close to that point.Nice to hear it was a cheap and easy fix.
Just to reinforce the importance of the earth lead. A few years ago on way back from Le Man’s in my car, all good for many quick miles down autoroute. Pulled in for coffee break, car wouldn’t start needed push start. Next stop for fuel same again, alternator was charging. Push start to get on Chunnel, time to get off started fine as did when pulled in for break . Next few weeks fine could not find problem all electrics fine. Someone suggested checking powerunit to body earth. Where the lead was going over suspension it was green with corrosion. Replaced and never had another problem with it in the years I owned the car after that. Always check on them now, think will take the above advice and add another to the camper
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- Dec 24, 2014
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- Ever since lighting was by Calor gas.
The original Mini's battery was located in a rust-prone box in the boot. One evening when starting mine I had smoke curling up from the dashboard. The engine to body earthing strap continuity had failed and the current was taking the alternative path of the choke cable (which became red hot).
Sounds like you have fixed most of the issues and as your layout suits you must enjoy the times your out in it .The earth lead issue was minor,an irritation when you can't sort it asap ,but it's sorted now, another notch under your belt another experience in life's problems sorted.
There are worse vans out there .
OP
OP
Very sure, please see above issue now sorted by resolving an Earthing Issue
TrebleH
LIFE MEMBER
If all fails, check the positive terminal on the battery, Fiat used to fit a terminal to the positive so you can isolate the battery, it is brass fitting with a black knob on it, I once had this on my old van and it turned out to be the connection wasn't good on the isolator, I just replaced mine with a normal battery clip.
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What corps were you in ?
Mitch (ex REME)
Back in the day, one of the other apprentices had an old Mini that he was going to give a bit of a service at the weekend. We went out at break time and threw some tools in the boot. The car wouldn't start at home time as the steel box of his socket set had welded itself to the battery terminals, one ruined battery and one "modified" socket set !
Same thing with mine turned out to be the earth cable from engin block to the chassis
Should be down near side. Clean or replace it
Sapper520
Free Member
REME……as its roots in The Royal Engineers.
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Nanniemate
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 1, 2019
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good to see the WFH gang have time to start their MH's in really busy work time ..........................sorry you walked into that one, now I'm going back to WFH
glad you got it going
I was once working on a Ford E93, I put my hand down the side of the wing to access something, I can't remember what...The next thing a burning smell plus an excruciating pain in my wrist. I wrenched my hand free and shook my now glowing expanding metal watch strap free. It had shorted between earth and the remote starter solenoid.
I have not worn a metal strap since. They do say you learn from your mistakes
Geoff
I have not worn a metal strap since. They do say you learn from your mistakes
Geoff
- Dec 24, 2014
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Keep up at the back there!..............................
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