Fiat Ducato won’t start after starting in gear

[trevrun]

About 20 min ago I went to start my 2007 Fiat Ducato Camper and quickly found that my son had moved the clutch into first gear while parked. The engine turned as usual and immediately turned off due to the E brake on. This has happened before with no follow on issues. However, on the next attempt the only feedback I got was a single clicking sound and no engine turnover whatsoever. The battery is still fully charged as I am in the middle of a trip. Any feedback or recommendations? Thanks in advance, Trevor.

 

[gus-lopez]

solenoid stuck ? Hit starter with a hammer or bar on the casing

 

[trevrun]

Will try that, thanks!

 

[David and Sally]

Dodgy earth? Worked first time but dodgy.

 

[tacr2man]

It could be that the starter dog has become jammed in the ring gear due to turning over with it in gear . Rocking the vehicle with hand brake off may free it , you will also find out by amount of movement if this is the case .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[trevrun]

Rock it in gear correct?

 

[trevrun]

Alright, stupid question...where is the starter at?

 

[trevrun]

Is this it?

 

[Tombola]

Is this it?

View attachment 462439

yes...rocking in gear is better option frst than a big hammer

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Rock it in gear correct?

Yes - with hand brake off so it moves and ignition off so it doesn't piss off up the road! One of the higher gears will give the wheels more torque against the engine.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[63720]

If you're going to rock it then try pushing on a front wheel if you have a heavy van.

 

[poppycamper]

Sorry can't answer your query... However always good practise to press clutch before starting engine even if in neutral....

 

[63720]

Sorry can't answer your query... However always good practise to press clutch before starting engine even if in neutral....

My car won't start without having the clutch on the floor.

 

[Stealaway]

Always check battery connections first

 

[mitzimad]

i would also suspect a loose terminal the extra current surge may have popped it off, can you get a tow to start it

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barclaybasher]

Just use the Starting Handle.....

 

[Phill D]

Just use the Starting Handle.....

Is that to whak the solenoid....

 

[Barclaybasher]

Is that to whak the solenoid....

Don't vehicles have starting handles now then?............................nurse!!

 

[donkey]

Hi
Is it just me? you say "moved the clutch into first gear while parked. The engine turned as usual and immediately turned off due to the E brake on."

Not sure I understand any of that.

Moved the clutch into first gear?

The E brake?

Geoff

 

[cmcardle75]

Hi
Is it just me? you say "moved the clutch into first gear while parked. The engine turned as usual and immediately turned off due to the E brake on."

Not sure I understand any of that.

Moved the clutch into first gear?

The E brake?

Geoff

What's for sure is that the son had the right idea. A manual gearbox should always be left in 1st or reverse (whichever is uphill) when parked. It's the equivalent of 'P' on an auto box. Engines should always be started with the clutch pressed and, preferably, in neutral.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

Hi
Is it just me? you say "moved the clutch into first gear while parked. The engine turned as usual and immediately turned off due to the E brake on."

Not sure I understand any of that.

Moved the clutch into first gear?

The E brake?

Geoff

Moved the gear lever into 1st gear.
Electric parking brake

 

[Landy Andy]

Would an 07reg Ducato have an electronic park brake?

 

[Scotch mist]

As said by others ,my first move would be to check battery terminals & earth cable to chassis

 

[TheBig1]

americans refer to any handbrake as an E brake

 

[donkey]

That would also explain the comment about the clutch, Americans rarely have manual boxes.
Geoff

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Terry]

I question the wisdom of bump starting the van ??? Bloke across road bumped his van and it knocked timing out on injectors £1350 later he did same thing after stalling it, dropping clutch and bang needed new engine . I asked my mechanic mate and he said it happed quite often on newer engine's

 

[EuroTrotters]

solenoid stuck ? Hit starter with a hammer or bar on the casing

One of the best cures

 

[pappajohn]

Would an 07reg Ducato have an electronic park brake?

Could be emergency (hand) brake

 

[pappajohn]

I question the wisdom of bump starting the van ??? Bloke across road bumped his van and it knocked timing out on injectors £1350 later he did same thing after stalling it, dropping clutch and bang needed new engine . I asked my mechanic mate and he said it happed quite often on newer engine's

I really can't see the logic in that....
Normal start and the starter turns the flywheel and the engine.
Bump start and the road wheels and gearbox turns the flywheel and the engine.
Other than one method needs electric and the other doesn't there's no difference.

 

[pappajohn]

solenoid stuck ? Hit starter with a hammer or bar on the casing

First line of attack as a breakdown driver.
Give it a whack, if it doesn't work there's a good chance its not the starter pinion jammed.
Always the easiest thing first.
Our wreckers had a long metal bar just for that purpose.