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clicking starter or solenoid

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clicking starter or solenoid

Postby Smarty » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:23 pm

Hello, you clever people you, I have just recently (last 3 days) had a problem wit starting my 51 plate 2.0 diesel transit. There is enough power in the battery to light a small sun, but I get a loud clicking from what I think is the solenoid.
I have been under and checked the main earth from the starter motor to the chassis. But still doing it. It will bump start, and this morning when freezing cold started first time, then tonight started first time, but then "clicked" the second and subsequent times.
I feel the only thing now is to take off the starter and solenoid and clean it - but before I get so cold my teeth can be heard in USA, does anyone know if there is a common problem I can check first?

Previously I have had no problem with the battery and starter throwing the engine over with ease.

Any ideas welcom.

Smarty 8)
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Postby zoz from oz » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:45 pm

A sometimes overlooked problem is the soundness of the connection between the battery terminal clamp and cable itself. Clean and secure it preferably with solder..Top it off with a dab of petroleum jelly to your battery posts :)
Whats this wire do?
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Postby jack russell » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:50 pm

Hi smarty

i have just recently bought a mk6 which has started having the same symptoms my neighbour a mechanic says, a new battery is needed but it clicked for about 6 tries then i left it to go in house and moan at wife for a while, went back out and it started :shock:

for me it seems to be only in the morning so far when it has happened seems like it is loosing its charge overnight :? is what neighbour recons :?

any help would be appreciated

cheers

jr
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Postby FredTransit » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:52 pm

Have you treid swearing at it? I tusually works with the Mk2, but I think Ford discontinued the option at some point in the Mk3......
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Postby jack russell » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:57 pm

FredTransit wrote:Have you treid swearing at it? I tusually works with the Mk2, but I think Ford discontinued the option at some point in the Mk3......


:lol: :lol: :lol:

Yes dear :evil: i have many times even threatened it was going back.. or i would get my splinter back :shock: never

cheers

jr
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Postby Smarty » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:02 pm

Thanks for the advice..

I did have a look at the battery terminals, but with them being under the seat, I foolishly thought "hey they look dry and clean, they must be ok", I will take them off and clean them... I did suspect a dodgy connection, but though because the click was comming from the starter.....

Secondly, I know the feeling I have left the van and after a short time it started, wow, I thought a brief fault but now cured, must have just been the metals contracting during the cold weather... who was I kidding, I turned it off to prove the problem was gone.. the bugger would not start then - back to the click, click, clicking.
But I did try putting the head lights on and then turn the key to see if the lights dimmed beyond sight, they seemed to remain strong... I would have thought this meant the battery was good. Or am I wrong could I have a colapsed cell?

And finally, I have tried swearing, I even tried hitting it, but nothing worked.. with it being a new van I was going to look up swearing in text speak to see if that would work?

Thank to all... Could it really be the battery after all? I don't want to spend ...?... (how much is a battery?) and then find out it was the starter (how much is a starter?)

Does anyone know the part number for the starter 2.0 diesel 2001 etc...

Thanks again
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Postby FredTransit » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:12 pm

Smarty wrote:Thanks for the advice..


And finally, I have tried swearing, I even tried hitting it, but nothing worked.. with it being a new van I was going to look up swearing in text speak to see if that would work?


Thanks again


Now you see hitting only works with earlier models, and in particular Austin cars, and it has to be a lrge tree branch....... :wink:
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Postby AlanN » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:29 pm

Have you tried gently stroking and caressing to stimulate some sort of reaction? :oops:
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Postby jack russell » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:32 pm

i looked at battery connections and gave them a tug and they were tight and strong :shock: but what i have not checked is if there could be anything loose under the bonnet where the jumping point is (if that makes sense)..

cheers

jr
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Postby FredTransit » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:32 pm

AlanN wrote:Have you tried gently stroking and caressing to stimulate some sort of reaction? :oops:


Now we all know what you get up to of an evening..... Did you pick a SWB so you could fit it in the privacy of your garage.......
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Postby Guy88 » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:34 pm

FredTransit wrote:
Now you see hitting only works with earlier models, and in particular Austin cars, and it has to be a lrge tree branch....... :wink:


Works on a MK5 :roll: :roll:
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Postby AlanN » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:34 pm

Sorry, its all those old ford magazines... curupted my young tiny but perfectly formed mind :shock:
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Postby FredTransit » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:37 pm

Guy88 wrote:
FredTransit wrote:
Now you see hitting only works with earlier models, and in particular Austin cars, and it has to be a lrge tree branch....... :wink:


Works on a MK5 :roll: :roll:


Obviously you have the masocists option then.
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Postby Smarty » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:41 pm

...I have just been out and tried stroking it... it just groaned a bit and shot some oil onto the road....

(next time I will put a rubber glove on as I don't want a litter of escorts)

:D :shock: 8)
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Postby FredTransit » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:43 pm

Smarty wrote:...I have just been out and tried stroking it... it just groaned a bit and shot some oil onto the road....

(next time I will put a rubber glove on as I don't want a litter of escorts)

:D :shock: 8)


I know what your problem is then. Your van is a bloke.
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