Don't trust ANYTHING Halfords say ...
Slight starting issue
- Thread starter Fintious maximus
- Start date
I bought some bulbs there the other day and spent a few seconds watching staff training on a customers car, talk about blind leading the blind.
An ex relative of mine worked at Halfords assembling bicycles, minimum wage, ridiculous targets. They were encouraged to have a few minor defects in the build that would get the customer back in the store, it pays as they inevitably buy something else while they wait for the repair.
An ex relative of mine worked at Halfords assembling bicycles, minimum wage, ridiculous targets. They were encouraged to have a few minor defects in the build that would get the customer back in the store, it pays as they inevitably buy something else while they wait for the repair.
Yeah, they did put a tester on but pinch of salt. The dealer did change the battery as they said the old one was knackered so it has a Bosch fitted but he wasn’t sure if it was one that they had spare in the workshop or one they ordered in. I suspect it was a spare. See what the new one does but I’m not convinced it’s the battery - after leaving them I had a drive up the motorway for about 18 miles and went to a shop. Started okay for the journey home. When I got home I switched off and then tried starting again. First turn of the key there was nothing and the second turn it fired straight up - could it be starter motor?
. Stop/start alert still on MFD. doing my nut already this is!
Yeah, they did put a tester on but pinch of salt. The dealer did change the battery as they said the old one was knackered so it has a Bosch fitted but he wasn’t sure if it was one that they had spare in the workshop or one they ordered in. I suspect it was a spare. See what the new one does but I’m not convinced it’s the battery - after leaving them I had a drive up the motorway for about 18 miles and went to a shop. Started okay for the journey home. When I got home I switched off and then tried starting again. First turn of the key there was nothing and the second turn it fired straight up - could it be starter motor?
I'd say yes it could be the starter motor. Had similar on my T5, good battery, very occasional nothing on key turn. Had it changed and new one turned over SO MUCH quicker so old one was definitely on the way out.
I think all battery shops tell you the battery is 80% charged when they install. I’ve always charged with a mains charger when I’ve got home and I don’t think the charger ever said they were 80%.Yeah, they did put a tester on but pinch of salt. The dealer did change the battery as they said the old one was knackered so it has a Bosch fitted but he wasn’t sure if it was one that they had spare in the workshop or one they ordered in. I suspect it was a spare. See what the new one does but I’m not convinced it’s the battery - after leaving them I had a drive up the motorway for about 18 miles and went to a shop. Started okay for the journey home. When I got home I switched off and then tried starting again. First turn of the key there was nothing and the second turn it fired straight up - could it be starter motor?
Imagine doing that on a lithium battery with virtually no internal resistance there would be a smouldering hole with just your smoking boots to show where you were stood.
I've seen the lead acid battery resistor tongs test and it's pretty scary with the zig zag metal strip glowing.
So, cold start this morning and first turn of the key there was nothing, not a sound - second try was a slow crank but fired after first crank. Really starting to think this is a starter motor issue and not the battery. Garage are fitting a brand new battery tomorrow morning so will see
So had the van plugged in to diagnostics this morning and various faults showed up which I’m told could well be down to the knackered battery that was in before and causing the starting issue. New battery being fitted tomorrow now and codes re-read and cleared. Does this sound right? One of the faults was trailer module and I think another was driver module?
A defective battery may well cause many faults, once the new battery is fitted and the faults are cleared you’ll know for sure.
So, an update. Had new battery fitted yesterday and coded to the van. Diagnostics showed all faults had cleared. On the way to the garage. Took it for a good run out and all seemed well and then this morning the first turn of the key there was nothing and then second turn it started but the ABS and stability warning lights came on. Could this be a clutch sensor issue?
I’ve not read about any issues with the clutch sensor but there have been defective starter motors.
Have you checked the engine grounding strap for corrosion and security, situated on engine mount on the drivers (UK) side of the engine bay? This is a common problem if it has not been maintained.
If in doubt connect a jump lead from the battery negative terminal to the chassis (use the engine mount mentioned above).
EDIT: if this connection is in poor condition it would also prevent your battery charging correctly. A good mechanic should have checked this if there were any battery or charging issues.
Have you checked the engine grounding strap for corrosion and security, situated on engine mount on the drivers (UK) side of the engine bay? This is a common problem if it has not been maintained.
If in doubt connect a jump lead from the battery negative terminal to the chassis (use the engine mount mentioned above).
EDIT: if this connection is in poor condition it would also prevent your battery charging correctly. A good mechanic should have checked this if there were any battery or charging issues.
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Annoying thing is that it does t do it on every start so temperamental which can be the hardest things to fix. The dealership where I bought it have booked it in to a local transporter specialist and I called in for a chat with him about it this morning. Of course it started absolutely fine each time I tried to demonstrate. After describing the issues he didn’t rule out an earthing issue . See what tomorrow brings!
I'm far from an expert on electrics but a common sense, free and easy first thing I would do tomorrow is go out, unlock the van, pop the bonnet open and put a jump lead from the negative terminal on the battery directly to a good solid earth point on the engine.
Then try starting it. If the van then starts as it should, this might point to a problem with your earth strap.
If it doesn't you haven't wasted a penny or much time.
It’s in with the transporter guy tomorrow and he will be checking all earthing. It’s annoying that it only glitches maybe 2 in 10 starts. Just been out to pick my son up from work and started first turn and first crank and drives superb - ABS and stability lights came on and went off about 30 seconds in to the journey again. Codes read a few days ago flagged up rear offside abs sensor so he’ll change that if required. I’ve had the van about 10 days and love it - just a shame it has this niggly issue but the dealer has been great so far in trying to fix it…
Update, van is back from the garage and diagnostics showed a mechanical fault in the starter motor and a faulty abs sensor. All replaced and working great.
