probably the solenoid on the starter sticking then if thats the starting thing? BUT dodgy starter will not stop charging or holding of charge so i'd check and clean starter wires..... you may have 2 seperate problems that are intermittent. rough battery/alt and dodgy starter, all the same curcuit so it's playing with you.
http://daisythecamper.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/starter-motor-woes.html i am right in thinking the solenoid is built into the starter? it was new / fitted last May, have mailed Machine 7, will see what they say and keep you posted.......... Si
the solenoid is the round thing on the starter body the wires connect to, it has a plunger that energises and slides in and out, they stick, i'm still thinking you have 2 faults which you are linking as one, a car will happily run without a starter motor once it is running it makes no odds to the battery condition, you need to clarify if the van is starting intermittently due to starter problems or a weak battery not letting it turn over, i'm getting confuzzled now i thought originally you were saying the van started and ran well for a few days but then wouldn't start until the battery was "manually" charged with a plug in charger, this is why i was pointing a charging issue but now you're sort of saying it's charging and running ok but starting is becoming an issue.... see how i reckon you have 2 problems?
anyway, i'm about this weekend if you're local and you want to comapre/check things shout me on here. Rick.
rickyrooo1 - sorry, read your second post first....... things are becoming clearer........ the battery / Alt do appear to be working fine...... and i think as the starter was "new" (last May) i had ruled it out! I have left the radio / side lights on now and am going to test the battery in an hour... it had approx 13.25v this morning... keep you posted! Si
good luck, but i fear the word "intermittent" is the key here, i doubt it's the starter to be honest, you really should be checking the charging curcuit fully, the battery is sounding like it's got a duff cell or summat to me, starters will click if the battery is low but usually they will wind over uber-slow before that happens, left for a while the battery "sort of recharges a little" (technical) and then occasionally manages to fire up, i really would be going one thing at a time here, first thing to do is start at the battery, ignore the readings and swap it if possible (do you have your reciept? how long guarantee do halfrauds offer) then see how it goes for a week or so running normally with lights/radio/etc on as required (not trying to conserve power) if it works you're sorted if not then next to check is the alternator intermittently charging, the starter meanwhile if it clicks while the battery is known to be good will be at fault AS WELL which must be under warranty still? as frustrated as you seem, this is an easy fix as the van runs so there aren't many things to check, it's just being methodical and not relying on the [glow=red,2,300][glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow][/glow] that just because a part is fairly new that it works correctly.
Up-date... due to heavy family party weekend... not had chance to look at much.... BUT have had no issues either! Zed - yeap new one in with starter. Si
Slightly off topic - but reffering to your stereo drawing 5amps - thats a huge amount, around what a fridge would take - are you sure it was the stereo drawing this and you havent got something else powered up taking your charge away? Any other audio gear, amp etc??
UP-DATE Friday 27th Since last Thursday have had trouble free motoring! no probs....... then this morning.... not starting! So to Halfords tonight - battery to be changed! Will up-date you all! Si
