1994 SpaceGear 2.8 L Diesel Auto Trouble starting

[Lake]

Hi Everyone;
I just bought my 1994 SpaceGear 2.8 L Diesel Automatic Van this winter. It started fine after parked in the garage for 4 months, after a hour driving in town I parked in the driveway it will not restart again. The first crank almost started the van which ran rough, but after that, it will not start. when turning the key I only hear one clicking sound, the panel lights, fan, radio will come on, but no sign it is activating any thing in the engine.
I thought it may be a battery issue, tried to boosted start with my car, the lights got brighter, but again only hear one click sound, no activation in the engine.

At this point I am guessing it is the starter, or alternator, or need new battery....
Anyone out there with any suggestions? Itchy to go on a camping trip.
I am located in Calgary.

Thanks very much.
Lake

[Mr. Flibble]

Most likely causes:

1) battery (end of life or bad alternator has killed it).

2) bad starter.

Ensure your battery has a full charge before trying to start. If engine won't turn over, your starter has issues. You can try giving the starter a few whacks with a hammer to see if you can get it to turn over, but this is a temp-fix, not a repair. (I used a rock once when my starter went bad in the outdoors).

[naterade]

Double check your battery connections are nice and tight. A bad/dirty/loose connection will power accessories but will fail under a big load from the starter. You would also notice similar behavior from a weak battery that's on its last legs (powers accessories but will not power starter)

You may wish to swap out your battery with one from another vehicle to see if that makes a difference... (process of elimination )

You can also try the starter-hammer trick. If a starter is on it's way out, some light tapping with a hammer can sometimes get it to work again... that's LIGHT tapping, no taking out your frustrations on it

[mrdueck]

ditto on the cleaning of connections. This gets me almost yearly. They look good from the outside but when I pull them I see a thin layer of acid build up. Baking Soda in water and an old tooth brush is the best way to solve it. If that doesn't work then move on to the ground connection on the starter. After that, pull the wallet out for the other suggested possible items you have to replace.
Rudy

[FalcoColumbarius]

X3 on the dirty connexions. The first thing that I would do is get a wire brush and clean the battery terminals and cable ends. You can find good battery brushes at Lordco for five bucks (looks like a big thimble). When a vehicle has been sitting or there's a change in the weather you can find an electric corrosion tarnish that you don't necessarily see but is putting a thin barrier between the terminals and the cables that inhibits the charge.

I've found that it is best to start with the simple things before tearing the engine electrical system apart. Same with the air filter element ~ often when there is a lack of power or poor response in the engine it is due to a dirty filter element or a filter brand using paper that is too thick, thereby starving the cylinder of air.

Falco.

[Mr. Flibble]

Once your terminals are clean, apply some dielectric grease, or Vaseline over the contacts to keep them from corroding. This will keep the contact good for a long long time.

[Lake]

Thanks for all of your great responses, I will be getting a battery charger and try to charge up the battery. Do some connection cleaning, and if all that does not work, I will be looking into the starter. By the way, where is the starter located on these beasts? I took the under plate off, can see the oil filter and I am guessing the starter is the round thing with a small pully attached to the engine!? I just want to make sure if I am hitting it with hammer, I am hitting the right component without causing more damages

Will keep you guys posted. Also will like to change the battery anyways, any good deals and choices for people in Calgary?

Cheers

Lake

[Big-Bird]

The starter is located beside the oil pan and is inserted partially into the transmission. The red positive wire on your battery connects directly to the starter.

What you spotted with a pulley on it was probably the fuel pump. The starter has no pulley.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Thanks for all of your great responses, I will be getting a battery charger and try to charge up the battery. Do some connection cleaning, and if all that does not work, I will be looking into the starter. By the way, where is the starter located on these beasts? I took the under plate off, can see the oil filter and I am guessing the starter is the round thing with a small pully attached to the engine!? I just want to make sure if I am hitting it with hammer, I am hitting the right component without causing more damages

Will keep you guys posted. Also will like to change the battery anyways, any good deals and choices for people in Calgary?

Cheers

Lake

I'd do the cleaning before charging and check out whether it's not something else before hitting the starter with a hammer. From my experience once you need to hit the starter you usually have six or so more starts before it is kaput. By hitting the starter you are jiggling the contacts in an effort to get a connexion. If there is nothing wrong with the starter then I wouldn't recommend hitting it with a hammer 'cause you might damage it.

Once your terminals are clean, apply some dielectric grease, or Vaseline over the contacts to keep them from corroding. This will keep the contact good for a long long time.

I'd just like to add that as the dielectric grease is an insulator ~ you apply the grease after the cables are connected to the terminals and as Mr. Flibble says ~ the connexion will last longer.

Falco.

[Lake]

Hi Falco; thanks for clarify the application of grease is after the connection is made. I was wondering about that! I took the battery connections off today and brushed with toothbrush and baking soda solution, no visible corrosion. Had run to work so will reconnect the battery Saturday when I am off work. i have feeling is the starter as the van did start, run rough and then died. I will post my finding on Saturday. Have a great long weekend.
"I am diagonally parked in front the double garage and I will be hearing the Miss-bitching - ha.ha."

[Lake]

I tried to charge the batteries this weekend and it appears the batteries can not hold charge. So I am pretty certain the problem is the 2 batteries. So I am off to Costco for batteries. I assume most deep cycle batteries rated for over 650 will do or do these delica use special batteries?

[Big-Bird]

A pair of standard automotive battery works just fine. I have apair of Canadian Tire units @ 800CCA each.

Deep cycle batteries are meant for marine and RV purposes where the vehicle will sit for very long periods and can handle being brought back from near total discharge many times.