Ignition problem

[izwozral]

The camper has an intermittent problem, key in ignition, dash lights come on, turn key - nothing! Repeat process - nothing! Third try and it starts.
Sometimes it will start first time, then sometimes, as above.
Any clues as to what the problem is and any idea what sort of cost it would be to fix via a garage?
My mechanical skills are zero, besides we have no tools on board.

The camper will be up for sale in a fortnight so if it is a easy job that shouldn't cost too much, we will get it fixed for the new owner

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[RichardHelen262]

It could be just a bad earth from body to engine , easy to eliminate if you have a jump , clamp one end to somewhere on the engine and the other to the negative on the engine,
The other possible is the ignition switch itself which was quite common on the older jap motors again a simple and fairly cheap fix as they are just a normal ignition barrel so shouldn’t be too expensive to fix

 

[1 Cup]

Tighten all nuts on battery and bus bar, check starter motor wire and nut . Tape up rachet so no sparks

 

[Scotia]

I had a similar problem with my wee VW Caddy it was caused by rust under the earth strap to the chassis, I removed the strap gave a good clean and reassembled problem solved.

 

[molly 2]

As above , but could be the starter solonied fitted on top of starter motor sometimes a wak with a broom handle would jolt it back to life ,

 

[Wully]

It could be the pick up on the key not getting a decent connection to the immobiliser first time.

 

[r4dent]

sometimes a wack with a broom handle would jolt it back to life ,

Technical term is percussive maintenance.

 

[Tezza33]

As above , but could be the starter solonied fitted on top of starter motor sometimes a wak with a broom handle would jolt it back to life ,

Don't forget Ral is posh from Cheshire, he will hit it with a vacuum cleaner pipe

 

[colinm]

It could be the pick up on the key not getting a decent connection to the immobiliser first time.

On one of the Suzi's, gf had the battery in remote go flat, she was using it manually for ages then the immobiliser packed up.

 

[izwozral]

Thank you all for your suggestions, much appreciated.

I better get Izzy a pair of gloves and goggles if she is to go under the van.

I can't possibly do it in a mankini can I, I'll chafe my bits!

 

[Pauljenny]

WD 40..!
Cures everything if you put the right amount in the right place.
Have you had some damp/ humidity ?
If so, a little whaft into the mankini might help.

 

[REC]

WD 40..!
Cures everything if you put the right amount in the right place.
Have you had some damp/ humidity ?
If so, a little whaft into the mankini might help.

It would also reduce the chafing....

 

[Pauljenny]

But Seriously...
If you are getting shut of the van soon.....
It's worth the price of a can of WD 40 and an hour of your, or Izzy's, time, if you can avoid an expensive repair.
Trained mechanics do what they are trained to do.
Untrained bodgers can use their imagination and ingenuity.

 

[Fazerloz]

I had exactly the same symptoms and as said above earth strap to body.

 

[QFour]

We had that after a few months with our Fiat Carthago. Everything worked fine then for no apparent reason it refused to start after we returned to CAMC site after a day out. It was blocking the entrance so we had to push it out of the way. Plugged it into site EHU and called the RAC. Tried it before they arrived and it started. Over the next year or so it would occasionally fail. Fiat had a look at it and no fault codes showed. I bought a SH starter motor off ebay that was only a couple of hundred serial numbers from ours and fitted it. Took the old one downto Fiat and asked them to test it. Apparently they don't have a test for that so they ordered me a new one and fitted it. It happened again so I fitted a remote switch under the bonnet. When it failed again I was ready for it. SWMBO sat in the drivers seat and turned the ignition and I pressed the button. Bingo it worked. At the two year service I was asked if it still did it. I told them about the switch and he got the guy to have a look. He pulled some of the relays and checked them for corrosion and put it all back together. Never had the fault since but if it happens we have a solution. When you turn the key do you wait for the dash lights to go out including the heater coils.

 

[r4dent]

Don't forget Ral is posh from Cheshire, he will hit it with a vacuum cleaner pipe

I think he would get the deputy Butler to hit it with a monogrammed Pizza Oven paddle.

 

[Red Dwarf]

What’s the base vehicle? My sprinter developed a worsening intermittent starting problem, eventually found to be the heater plug relay with internal corrosion. As the relay didn’t work, the ecu isolated the starting circuit.
Other possible cause, bad engine to body earth...

 

[izwozral]

What’s the base vehicle? My sprinter developed a worsening intermittent starting problem, eventually found to be the heater plug relay with internal corrosion. As the relay didn’t work, the ecu isolated the starting circuit.
Other possible cause, bad engine to body earth...

It's a '97 Nissan Vanette.

 

[Red Dwarf]

My guess would be the switch on the ignition lock. Reality is its going to have to be the elimination game, my guess would be switch or earth though... good luck with tracking it down!

 

[Red Dwarf]

It's a '97 Nissan Vanette.

Have you had any problems with the key sticking, being difficult to remove?