Strange noise and won't start

Forum:

Problems

Warning - I don't have a clue about engines!!! I have a 74 2.8 TDi 4-trak Fieldman. It's always been reliable and has a newish battery, and was used late last week. Today, I went to start it, and on the 2nd "click" of the key, where the dashboard lights come on, she made a very odd clicking noise and wouldn't start. Opened the bonnet - noise seems to be coming from a small, cylindrical "thing" with a couple of electrical leads going into it, just to the left of the battery. It's fairly obviously not happy.... can someone tell me what it is (sorry to be dim) and what I should ask for as a spare?
thanks
Mic

Sounds very much like the battery. The clicing is the solnoid on the starter but there isn't enough power in the battery to tun the engine . Get the battery checked out. When you last used it didthe red ign. light stay on? If so it may be the alternator not charging the battery but my money wuld be the battery.

If the battery is OK then you are probably looking at a starter as tthe soloid is prengaged and part of the starter.

Good luck

OLDMINIMAN

M J Young

won't start

I've had a long-running starter motor problem where the starter would stick, and then usually get going again on its own, or occasionally with the aid of a hammer (just a light tap), but this is not the same. As I said, it's a newish battery (2 months old) and appears to have plenty of life in it. I'll stick it on charge tonight just in case. Is it possible it's the solenoid itself which has gone faulty?

Mic

You said it had been

You said it had been standing for a few days. I know it's a dafft sugestion, but have you cheacked that nothing was left on. Even a curtosy light will drain a battery if left on for long enough. Try charging the battery. If this solves the problem, and it doesn't happen again you could have saved a lot of expence.

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

I had this problem and the

I had this problem and the battery was knackered. check water levels in the battery, and maybe give it a charge. leave it another day and if it doesnt hold a charge, and no lights or anything are left on (and your stero is wired in right) then just get a new battery.

paul

PM me if you need Sportrak Help..

PM me if you need Sportrak Help..

wont start?

Do the ignition lights dim when you turn the key and get the click?

If they do I would say it is the battery!

If they stay bright when you get the click I would say it is a siezed starter motor, it happened to mine after I had been through some deep water.