mechanic needed need some help with van

mantrabooks · 14-12-2006, 10:03

I have been having a few small problems with my Ford Transit Luton van and I wondered if any body in the Accrington area can help. Firstly, when the van as been left for a while i.e 12/15 hours it wont start. I have checked the battery and that's fine, and cleaned the cables from the starter motor to the battery but to no avail. Also, the dash light has gone. I managed to buy a couple of small blubs for that, I managed to get the dash casing off but I am having problems getting the clock out to check the bulbs. Also, a couple of rear lights are out I could do with some help with that.

entwisi · 14-12-2006, 10:12

Check you haven't left a courtesy light on in the van part. You need to check what current is being drawn when the van is switched off, put a ammeter in series with teh battery and teh positive terminal. If there is current flow something is leaking it. you need to find out what.

You say you have checked teh battery, how? teh fact that you are struggling to change teh rear lights leads me to think you aren't very mechanically minded so how do you know what to look for with a battery.

If you want to pay someone, there is an autoelectrician up west end, behind teh car sales place just past teh railway bridge.

KIPAX · 14-12-2006, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

If you want to pay someone, there is an autoelectrician up west end, behind teh car sales place just past teh railway bridge.

had a problem with the astra... warning light kept coming on... went to that place in west end... sat morning.. was there 2 hrs and had to go to blackburn myself to get a part needed... I was panicking as I only had about 40 quid on me and it had been 2 hrs

finally job done.. went in office... charged me 12.50 hahaha couldnt believe it ... that was within the last 18mths not 20 yrs ago or owt

highly reccomend them.... some other garages charge 25 quid just to do the diognostic computer thingy..

my point being.. cheap as chips.. dont be put off by 60 quid an hr mechanics or whatever they charge

hows that lens by the way... nearly done?

entwisi · 14-12-2006, 10:45

Yep, like it a lot, now torn between that or the Sigma 75-300 f4.5 thingy on amazon at just over £100.

I took some pictures at a charity footy match the other day (Only had that lens with me but is not much shorter than my kit lens anyway). I'd appreciate some C&C if poss. I'll shove them on teh net somewhere and email you at kipax.com

entwisi · 14-12-2006, 11:05

OK, try this

http://www.etribes.com/entwisi

there is a photos folder called Test1.

Either leave comment there or on here or email me

mantrabooks · 14-12-2006, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

Check you haven't left a courtesy light on in the van part. You need to check what current is being drawn when the van is switched off, put a ammeter in series with teh battery and teh positive terminal. If there is current flow something is leaking it. you need to find out what.

You say you have checked teh battery, how? teh fact that you are struggling to change teh rear lights leads me to think you aren't very mechanically minded so how do you know what to look for with a battery.

If you want to pay someone, there is an autoelectrician up west end, behind teh car sales place just past teh railway bridge.

Hi - the battery was tested the other day at the garage. And he said it was fine no problem. I know about the autoelectrician up west end I was just seeing if anybody here could help out. Today I have bought a good second hand starter motor but he said that it may not be the sarter motor, but like you said a current flow leaking out somewhere.

..

entwisi · 14-12-2006, 14:53

Its unlikely to be the starter if it works OK if you don't leave it that long. One test is to have the headlights on when trying to start it after the 12 hours or so. If the starter is faulty the lights will stay bright, if its the battery that has 'lost' its charge they will dim whenever the starter is turning.

slinky · 14-12-2006, 15:03

I know I'm only a mere women lol but could it not be your alternator??

It doesn't sound like the starter motor because you are having problems with the lights too......which ponits to the alternator !!

how are you getting it started when it won't start?? be careful if you are bump starting it as yes ok it will run! but if its the alternator you are doing damage to the battery and will end up forking out more money ( oh but your a man you will already know this)

Sorry also try taking the lead off the battery when the car is running ( preferably the positive) if the van dies the alternator is buggered.....in which case you will have bent the cells in the battery because you have been running it.....which yes you will need a new battery.

The battery will put out the correct output on tick over or engine off, but when running should go upto 14.8 which is then recharging.

OK shut it now slink

mantrabooks · 14-12-2006, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinky

I know I'm only a mere women lol but could it not be your alternator??

It doesn't sound like the starter motor because you are having problems with the lights too......which ponits to the alternator !!

how are you getting it started when it won't start?? be careful if you are bump starting it as yes ok it will run! but if its the alternator you are doing damage to the battery and will end up forking out more money ( oh but your a man you will already know this)

Sorry also try taking the lead off the battery when the car is running ( preferably the positive) if the van dies the alternator is buggered.....in which case you will have bent the cells in the battery because you have been running it.....which yes you will need a new battery.

The battery will put out the correct output on tick over or engine off, but when running should go upto 14.8 which is then recharging.

OK shut it now slink

Hi Slink - mere comes to mind many times.... The lights are a different problem altogether dear. I dont really know if the dash lights have anything to do with the starting problem but the rear lights are diffinetly another problem altogether - as some of them work others dont. When the van wont start I am getting it start via jump leads and not bumping a 3.5 ton van

. Mere dear heavenly knows what you'll think of next. Do you think it might have something to do with the wheels not going round properly?

..

slinky · 14-12-2006, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantrabooks

Hi Slink - mere comes to mind many times.... The lights are a different problem altogether dear. I dont really know if the dash lights have anything to do with the starting problem but the rear lights are diffinetly another problem altogether - as some of them work others dont. When the van wont start I am getting it start via jump leads and not bumping a 3.5 ton van

. Mere dear heavenly knows what you'll think of next. Do you think it might have something to do with the wheels not going round properly?

..

What year is the Van?? does it have a brain ( I mean the Van not you)

i know the answer to that one

mantrabooks · 14-12-2006, 15:24

now thats just plain bad - I want my membership fee back

..

slinky · 14-12-2006, 15:28

Well ok I tried!!! even if you don't think I know what I'm talking about

Living in a house full of men ya kind of pick things up about the in's and out's of cars going wrong lol.

I still think it has something to do with the alternator...........but hey ho

entwisi · 14-12-2006, 15:52

Dodgy alternators don't always knacker batteries, its when teh recitifier is knackered that they tend to take batteries out as this tends to overcharge the battery(or feed AC current to them instead of DC). If the windings on the alternator breaks down then it tends to drop the output voltage (which you rightly say is ~14.5V). However if this was the case teh van would never be starting as teh battery wouldn't be being recharged at any point.

I still reckon there is something left on that is bypassing the ignition switch, Vans often have a small light in the back so they can see what they are doing, these often get forgotten. Or some people wire stereos in incorrectly such that they are permanently live as opposed to just the memory lead being connected.

I think you were also linking to not jump starting modern vehicles as the ECUs can be damaged when you do this and they often cost ££££s to replace.

One other point, you should always remove the earth (-ve) lead first when disconnecting a battery.

mantrabooks · 14-12-2006, 16:06

Thanks for all the advise and I apologise for any sarcastic remarks. Since I have had the van I have not noticed a light in the back but I see your point - thanks for that. Also, the radio has never worked and to my knowledge is not plugged in either. Oh well if at first you don't suceed, try doing it the way your wife told you and then it may never work.

KIPAX · 14-12-2006, 16:07

If the battery is in the wrong way around then it will start with jump start and then die later... + towards the engine ...

Although given the choice I would go with slinks..