Help, Motorhome will not start (1 Viewer)

May 23, 2013
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Sorted out the issues with the solar and the habitation battery last week but still having problems starting the motorhome.

We have a 2004 Eura Mobil on a Fiat 2.8 JTD engine.

Tried to jumpstart from both a Clark 4000 and the family car but would not turn over. The Cab battery is less than 3 months old and shows 13.9V going through it.

Any suggestions gratefully received, I had expected a fully charged clarke jump-started to have done the trick.

Looking at other pictures on this forum there appears to be some fuses especially for the battery we just have the pos/neg leads so I am assuming they might be elsewhere.

I checked with the alarm installer and do not think there is a problem with the engine immobiliser.

Guy:Sad:
 

Allanm

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Jun 30, 2013
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You say it would not turn over, even with the booster and the car battery? Is the engine actually turning over as you try and start it or are there any clicks when you turn the key? Do all the dash lights comer on and do they dim as you turn the key? If none of these happen, I would be looking at the immobiliser.
Allan
 

movan

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Al\n, what's a distributor? Not saying it is that .. just trying to think of all the words thrown around me when I first had the problem.

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DP+JAY

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Sounds like immobilizer or starter motor/solenoid/exiterwire.
Does the padlock symbol on the dash go out OK?
 

TheBig1

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i suspect you have a bad earth strap, which is a common problem. the engine earth strap is underneath and gets road dirt and muck on it. this rots the copper and gives the symptoms you describe. ie fully charged but engine wont turn over properly

to prove it and rule out the starter motor, connect a jump lead from the van battery negative to a clean part on the engine block. if it works fit a new earth strap. if not you need to remove and test the starter motor and ensure the electrics are all functioning
 

TheBig1

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Al\n, what's a distributor? Not saying it is that .. just trying to think of all the words thrown around me when I first had the problem.
a distributor is a mechanical device that supplies power to each spark plug in turn on an older style petrol engine. modern engines have electronic ignition and diesel engines have a pump system

the engine in most uk and eu vans is a diesel so doesnt have a distributor

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pappajohn

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i suspect you have a bad earth strap, which is a common problem. the engine earth strap is underneath and gets road dirt and muck on it. this rots the copper and gives the symptoms you describe. ie fully charged but engine wont turn over properly

to prove it and rule out the starter motor, connect a jump lead from the van battery negative to a clean part on the engine block. if it works fit a new earth strap. if not you need to remove and test the starter motor and ensure the electrics are all functioning

beat me to it. :RollEyes:

Before removing the starter to check it try giving it a firm tap a couple of times with a hammer or use a steel bar....... pool cue fashion....if you cant get a hammer in..

Starter brushs could be sticking or a dirty comutator and a good tap should free them.
 
OP
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orridge
May 23, 2013
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lots to try out. Thank you.

@Allanm we get a number of clicks and the sounds of trying to turn over, all the lights on the dashboard appear to be working fine.

@jay yes no warning lights show

@Thebig1 Thanks will try that

@Pappajohn sorry to be so clueless but I do not know what the starter looks like, can someone explain
 
Jun 30, 2010
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Sounds like immobilizer [HI]or starter motor/solenoid/exiterwire.[/HI]Does the padlock symbol on the dash go out OK?

TheBig1;931623[HI said:
]i suspect you have a bad earth strap[/HI], which is a common problem. the engine earth strap is underneath and gets road dirt and muck on it. this rots the copper and gives the symptoms you describe. ie fully charged but engine wont turn over properly




From past experience, sound advice there,

Pappajohn, The big 1, on Ducato's isn't the Immobiliser on the Fuel Pump??? Seem to remember a Recovery Fella telling me that, BUT at 74 , hey ho could be mistaken:Doh:

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edgy

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The best advice that you can take is ring a mechanic before you do some damage to either yourself or your motorhome:RollEyes:
 
Apr 29, 2009
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You are not too far from us if you want we can pop over and take a look with you - cant do it till Saturday though?

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OP
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orridge
May 23, 2013
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You are not too far from us if you want we can pop over and take a look with you - cant do it till Saturday though?

Thanks for the offer, she is parked up in Staplehurst, Kent so a bit of a trek from here but i do appreciate the offer of assistance.

Will try the couple of suggestions above and if that doesnt work get the RAC out to have a look.
 

Stephen & Jeannie

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[HI][HI]Al\n, what's a distributor[/HI][/HI]? Not saying it is that .. just trying to think of all the words thrown around me when I first had the problem.

Come off it Joy !! :Doh: I am sure that even with your tender years you can remember how to disable the car by removing the rotor arm !:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
Mar 21, 2009
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OK. before you get to carried away make sure the jumper leads and battery are up to the job!
Cheap shoelace type of jump leads are a waste of time.
Trying to jump start a diesel engine in this cold weather every thing needs to be 100% and be careful when using leads its easy to spike ecu
HTH
Tony

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WynandJean

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Thanks for all the help and advice. And the winner is.....

Not earthing properly, all sorted and now starts just fine.

Excellent news! It's always a relief when it turns out not to be anything expensive.

Wyn
 

Puddleduck

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Thanks for all the help and advice. And the winner is.....

Not earthing properly, all sorted and now starts just fine.

Brilliant! Glad it wasn't too difficult. If that hadn't worked I would have called the RAC as that is why you pay their fees every year after all.

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Jun 17, 2012
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Thanks for all the help and advice. And the winner is.....

[HI]Not earthing properly[/HI], all sorted and now starts just fine.

Was it the actual earth strap? Loose or corroded ? or battery connection or ???

Glad it's sorted. :thumb:
 

MikeD

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Well done that man :Smile::Smile:

The Broken Link Removed is first on my list to PM if I get starting problems :thumb::thumb:
 

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