Intermitent starting problem (1 Viewer)

Apr 7, 2008
19
5
based in North Yorkshire
Funster No
2,081
MH
swift kontiki 650
Exp
11yrs
We are having trouble starting our Damon Daybreak RV. Suddenly it is playing up and sometimes starts straight away and next time wont. We have checked battery connections - seem ok. Any suggestions!:cry:
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
By "Start" do you mean fails to "fire" Ie Run or fails to turn Ie engine does not even turn over:Sad:
Geo

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Wildman

Free Member
May 30, 2008
0
8,470
Ilfracombe, Devon
Funster No
2,913
MH
Amazon Ambassador
Exp
since 1967
sounds like a bad connection, bad earth probably. clean the battery terminals grease with Vaseline, and refit. If the problem persists check connections to the starter motor.
If by any chance you have tried to start with a flat battery the starter may have failed to disengage. Try putting the vehicle in gear and rocking back and forth ( sorry never noticed the size of vehicle) that may release it. let us know how you got on.

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Last edited:

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
I would double check starter connections and also make sure the starter has a very good earth supply a new earth if not sure, you may have a starter solenoid fault developing
just to rule out battery voltage problems next time it fails ,whilst still holding key in start position press the emergency start switch that links all batteries together and see if it then turns over
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
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MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
PS dont try rocking an an 8 ton Auto, it wont work:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 

45eEver

Free Member
Apr 15, 2009
267
1
Funster No
6,298
Try starting it John.

Hold it on start for say a minute.

Now feel the battery connections.
If one of 'em's warm, then dismantle. clean, grease, and assemble.

If neither is warm.
Feel the earth cable to chassis connection.
If it's warm, dismantle, clean, grease, and assemble.

If earth cable to chassis connections isn't warm.
Dismantle, clean, grease, and assemble the starter cable to starter connection.

If not of them is warm, dismantle, clean, grease, and assemble all four connections.

If that doesn't work: -

Sometime's, but rarely, the cable to terminal joint is faulty and sorting the reminal to post doesn't do the business.
If the cable to terminal connection is faulty, get it re-crimped.

Soldering terminals to cables is frowned on.
Crimping is a legal requirement in many applications.

However, it's Ok so solder a crimped connection if you wish to have a go.

Good Luck.

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Last edited:

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
Try starting it John.

Hold it on start for say a minute.

Now feel the battery connections.
If one of 'em's warm, then dismantle. clean, grease, and assemble.

If neither is warm.
Feel the earth cable to chassis connection.
If it's warm, dismantle, clean, grease, and assemble.

If earth cable to chassis connections isn't warm.
Dismantle, clean, grease, and assemble the starter cable to starter connection.

If not of them is warm, dismantle, clean, grease, and assemble all four connections.

If that doesn't work: -

Sometime's, but rarely, the cable to terminal joint is faulty and sorting the reminal to post doesn't do the business.
If the cable to terminal connection is faulty, get it re-crimped.

Soldering terminals to cables is frowned on.
Crimping is a legal requirement in many applications.

However, it's Ok so solder a crimped connection if you wish to have a go.

Good Luck.
Don't do any of the above unless you have clear sight of all wiring and connections
Have a fire extinguisher handy:Doh:
 

Road Runner

Free Member
Jul 26, 2007
1,143
1,445
Europe
Funster No
16
MH
yes
Exp
Since before Motorhomefun
Follow our trade members instructions (Geo) as he is a mec-an-iky person:winky:
 
Last edited:

45eEver

Free Member
Apr 15, 2009
267
1
Funster No
6,298
Good thinking Geo, thanks.

Like the man said, 2 heads are better etc?

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damondunc

Funster
Aug 2, 2007
101
15
near Lincoln
Funster No
52
MH
A class
Exp
9
non start

is your rv on a workhorse chassis with a 6.5td chevy engine? if so you have a starter motor on it's way out, they are renowned for it. The starter motor takes a very large current to turn the motor over and eventually the contacts inside the solenoid burn away. The only permanent cure is to replace the starter motor.
Dunc.
 

vwalan

Funster
Sep 23, 2008
8,835
5,798
roche cornwall
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4,148
MH
lynton5th wheel
Exp
since a child
probably is starter but could be badly damaged teeth on flywheel . kook carefully when starter is removed , sonetimes about 2 inches of ring gear gets damaged. hopefully its not , but always look. may be just an end bearing on starter :thumb:

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45eEver

Free Member
Apr 15, 2009
267
1
Funster No
6,298
The solenoid replaceable on it's own Link Removed?

Perhaps even dismantleable so that it can be repaired?
 

damondunc

Funster
Aug 2, 2007
101
15
near Lincoln
Funster No
52
MH
A class
Exp
9
non start

in theory yes, however if you speak to the chevy importers, they don't do the solenoid as a seperate item, it may be replacable by a specialist rotating electrics repairer.
dunc.

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45eEver

Free Member
Apr 15, 2009
267
1
Funster No
6,298
If it's Yank, I prefer to straight to the States Link Removed.

Even after P&P and our import tax, I save money.
The last part I imported cost me less in dollars (inc P&P) than the actual cost in £s, never mind P&P.
 

zaskar

Free Member
Sep 25, 2007
1,159
371
UK
Funster No
399
MH
5th Wheel
Exp
30+
in theory yes, however if you speak to the chevy importers, they don't do the solenoid as a seperate item, it may be replacable by a specialist rotating electrics repairer.
dunc.

Correct.:thumb: To replace the chevy starter complete costs a bomb! However, there is a place in Stoke on Trent who stock chevy starter solenoids. I collected one from them for about £50 and replaced it myself in about 1/2 hour, + hour hour to refit the starter.::bigsmile:
Can't remember the name of the place I went to and I'm certain I dont retain the paperwork but if I remember rightly, my mate who lives in that area knows of them so if you need thier name, give me a shout and I'll try and find out.:thumb:
 
OP
OP
John and Jill
Apr 7, 2008
19
5
based in North Yorkshire
Funster No
2,081
MH
swift kontiki 650
Exp
11yrs
Thanks to everone with their advice on our problem. We followed it all, with the exception of 'rocking the RV':ROFLMAO: We're all mended now. It was the starter, made in Japan and not the USA, so we got a new one from our local Woodautos for under £100.

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Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
Thanks to everone with their advice on our problem. We followed it all, with the exception of 'rocking the RV':ROFLMAO: We're all mended now. It was the starter, made in Japan and not the USA, so we got a new one from our local Woodautos for under £100.

RESULT John:thumb:
Lets hope mines a Jap one too, if I ever need one :Doh:should'nt have said that:whatthe:
that was a cracking price for an RV starter
Geo
 

scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,086
9,025
Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
15
MH
Timberland
Thanks to everone with their advice on our problem. We followed it all, with the exception of 'rocking the RV':ROFLMAO: We're all mended now. It was the starter, made in Japan and not the USA, so we got a new one from our local Woodautos for under £100.

Good result ..

I wasn't so lucky, mine started to play up a couple of years ago and I had a new solenoid fitted, cost £80 , then last year it failed again so I decided to bite the bullet and have a new starter .. cost nearly £300 .. :cry:

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