My Delica Won't Start!! Help!

[joel_vanderschaaf]

I just got my L400 back from inspection. It was running great and started fine twice after leaving. But the moment I go to pick up my plates it wouldn't start. It doesn't even turn over. It just clicks once where the solenoid is and then I get nothing. I think I've got enough juice (I had just driven it on the highway for an hour) and I cleaned the terminals but nothing. Tried boosting it, tried starting it with another battery but just a click and then another click a moment later. I have no idea what's going on but if anyone has any ideas I could sure use some help. I finally get all my ducks in a row and ready to start my life with my Deli and then this.
I'm pretty choked.

[Tinytoy]

Are you in Saskatoon? Do you still have lights,fan,ect? Have you tried to rotate shifter thru the gears to see if its possibly stuck neutral safety switch?Do you have a tester/meter?

[Flemwad]

If you can get to it, tap the starter motor with a hammer gently, may be a dodgy starter motor or solenoid, in the past i have had a few cars with this problem and to get me out the poo i have very very carefully put a big square shank screwdriver between the 2 large power terminals on the starter and this has cranked it by bypassing the solenoid , but be very careful not to earth nothing as i said a desperate measure when really stuck

[loki]

try moving the shifter around, move it to N try it there and move it back to P and try it again, could be an issue with the shifter safety switch?

[jessef]

Did you have one of the reliable shops do the compliance work for you ?

If so, they would have gone through your Delica with a fine tooth comb for potential issues.

I would take it to the place you had all the work done to it and have them diagnose the problem.

If you did it all on your own, then I'd recommend to test the starter, solenoid (behind the fuel filter) to check for a good contact. Also check the main fuseable links in the fuse box (large fuses).

If your battery negative cable is not grounded properly, this can happen as well.

One last thing. Where is the van now ? If you're local, I can come take a look if you like.

[joel_vanderschaaf]

Thanks for all the help. This forum is awsome.
I tried moving the shifter through the gears, but I'll definitely try it again. I've got lights and power to everything except it would seem, the starter. We checked the solenoid with a meter and there was juice. I think it's either got to be the neutral safety switch or the starter (maybe a relay to the starter). Unfortunately I'm in Saskatoon and the guy who did the bulk of my compliance work was Mardy in BC (so I can't take you up on your offer jfarsang). I guess I've got to take my chances with a mechanic in Saskatoon unless someone knows a good mechanic out here with experience with Japanese imports.

Thanks again.

[loki]

if it's not the saftey switch I would clean and tighten all the electrical connections from the battery to the starter itself, a slightly dirty or loose connection and make it look fine on the multi-meter but not quite enough juice is getting through and you get nothing but a click or nothing at all.

[jessef]

x2

start from the starter itself and work backwards

[Tinytoy]

Thanks for all the help. This forum is awsome.
I tried moving the shifter through the gears, but I'll definitely try it again. I've got lights and power to everything except it would seem, the starter. We checked the solenoid with a meter and there was juice. I think it's either got to be the neutral safety switch or the starter (maybe a relay to the starter). Unfortunately I'm in Saskatoon and the guy who did the bulk of my compliance work was Mardy in BC (so I can't take you up on your offer jfarsang). I guess I've got to take my chances with a mechanic in Saskatoon unless someone knows a good mechanic out here with experience with Japanese imports.

Thanks again.

OK Tire on 8th St safetied my truck and van. there have been quite a few JDM's through there.Talk to Steve and ask if they would be able to take a look at it for you if all else fails. There is also Prairie Auto Haus as another place to have work done, But thru the grape vine are expensive.Minibrutes no longer exists as a service shop . That's where I had all my work done at.
There is also D&D Imports in P.A. ... maybe PM Firesong and find out about there.. Hope your on the road soon and could join us in a meet up one of these days!
TT