It's a Fiat Ducato chassis. Battery is OK, must be a Starter Motor issue.
I'm on a slope, could I roll down and bump-start it?

Petrol or diesel and how old is it?

What's happening when you turn the key...apart form not starting.

wrinx

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Oops, forgot to say it's deisel.
I've had a nagging Starter problem for 4 years, since new Starter was fitted. It hasn't been too much of an issue, usually starts first time, but now and then it takes 3 or 4 turns of the key before it starts.
Yesterday I took it too a garage (first drive for couple of months), and it seemed to be more difficult than usual to start.
When I came back from the garage, there was a plumber parked in the shared driveway, didn't want to disturb him, so I parked in the road, but he didn't go until gone 8pm.
Well, I just tried it now to bring it up the driveway ... no-go . I've checked all the Starter and Alternator wires.
I'd like to get it going just to get it off the road for now, then investigate the issue.
Em, how do I thank you for your reply? I forgot how to do it

Manual or auto box before you try to bump it...


and in answer to the other question, click on the "Thanks" button ..bottom right of the post you want to thank for..

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Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

It's a manual gearbox.
I've been racking my brains trying to think what the problem could be.
I see the the habitation battery level is the lowest I,ve ever seen 3v . Engine battery is just a shade under 12v.
I had a new alternator belt fitted in early June after a tour of Italy. Since that new belt was fitted I have started the engine precisely 5 times in the last 3 months including yesterdays visit to a garage for a new tyre. This was a 40 minute journey each way. Could that new Alternator belt job in June have something to do with it? I don't understand why the habitation battery is dead if I have not used the habitation area since Italy. Could yhere be an Alternator problem? Would the engine battery not be strong enough a shade under 12V ?
Em.. I'm not seeing this "Thanks" button on my screen
Edit - I see the "Thanks" button

about the problem...wrong sort of battery???


Inthe meantime the thanks button os here...bottom right of the post you want to thank for..

Edit...it would seem you've found the thanks button...

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Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

Check the alternator output voltage which should be at LEAST 13.8V with the engine running.

Have you changed the glow plugs lately? Poor starting in a diesel is most often associated with a need to change these plugs.

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12v is too low for a 12v car / van lead acid battery. It should be over 13v if well charged and in good condition when not under load. Pick your self up or borrow a set of jump leads and see if it will start with them before condeming the starter motor. Regarding jump starting if it has enough power to heat the glow plugs assuming its a diesel with glow plugs then you can jump start it, if it is not a diesel with glow plugs then, like a petrol it will even if the battery is near totally dead.

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Mike

Thanks for replies.
I've never changed the glow-plugs . It's a 1996 Hymer and since 2007 I've done about 60,000 miles.
I can only think that the garage that changed the Alternator belt in June, has messed the job up ..... ie the habitation and engine batterys are not being charged. I,ll see if the neighbours have jump leads. Failing that I'll try to bump-start it down the road. Failing that I'll call the Breakdown on my insurance.

I just had a more detailed look at the batterys dial, the habitation one is 3v The engine one was 12.25v (twelve and a quater). I tried the key in ignition again, it's making a clicking noise on the engine, but I'm thinking - as stated above - it's not strong enough to turn the motor over Checked batt' level again ... down to just 12v now.
I decided not to risk bump-starting it. I've phoned the Breakdown, he'll be here in the morning.
I'll try and ascertain what the exact problem is .....
I'll report back tomoorow on the diagnosis.

Batteries will only last around 5 years before they start going 'off' - if the alternator is ok then the batteries need changing - certainly the domestic battery needs replacing as, once it's been discharged too much (as a 3V reading shows) you usually buckle the internal plates of the battery and it never regains its ability to keep a charge. Get a new one.

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Yes the [u]habitation[/u] battery has not held it's charge for a year or more now. I think I do need a new one.
Breakdown guy arrived and connected his jump leads ... still wouldn't start! I checked battery level with his leads connected 14v+.
So [u]he[/u] bumped it down the road
I have now parked it in the driveway and connected the mains elec extension to it, but it's clear it's not a battery issue, it still won't fire-up after taking it for 15 minute drive . All relative cables are connected ok.
Brief history -
2007 New Starter fitted. (I suspect not a quality one)
2008 New Alternator fitted (I suspect not a quality one)
I have always had intermittent starting problems, I turn the key and the engine electrics click, 50% of the time it starts first time, but sometimes it takes about 3 - 4 turns of key before it fires into action.
June 2011 new Alternator belt fitted and "re-alignment" of Alternator (he said I was going through belts because the Alt wasn't properly in line (another bodge-up by the garage that fitted new Alt in 2008?).
Last Friday, first trip to have a new tyre fitted. Difficulty starting engine at garage, it took about 10 turns of key before it fired. Back home I parked it in street. Later when I went to bring it in driveway, it would not start at all.
Is it the Starter Motor or Alternator (or both? ).
The problem is, I live in France and language is a major problem. I couldn't get any sort of diagnosis from Breakdown guy, he was keen to get away There's no urgency as I'm not planning a trip till next year, mabye I'll buy new Starter and see if that improves it?

Could be a sticking / worn / tarnished contacts in the solenoid (solénoïde en Francais) which should be cheaper and easier to replace than the starter motor. If it won't start with jump leads connected the problem is not the altenator (although there could still be a problem with the altenator if it does not charge the batteries properly) There will also be a charge regulator (in fact 2 - 1 for each battery) that controls the charge to the habitation battery which may be faulty. You need to charge the batteries with a mains charger and see if they hold their voltage (over 13v) for a month minimum. If not you need new batteries. Again this would be a separate issue to your starting problems if it will not start with jump leads connected.

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Mike

Glow plugs!!!!!!!!!

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NOT glow plugs lol.
The engine is not turning over when the key is turned. Cannot have anything to do with the glow plugs. On the positive side if you did need any most large french supermarkets sell them!

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Mike