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Just got another problem starting. 1990 200tdi
Sometimes it will start OK, then other times there is nothing there, not even a click, wont jump off leads, but will bump start,
All lights come on the dash,
If I wiggle the key about in the ignition it usually starts, Cant see the starter motor, to check wires, or could it be somthing in the ignition??
Thanks
 
take the dash binnacle off. it's 4 or 5 screws, really easy.

just be careful with the speedo cable, you may need to unclip it.. on mine i have enough slack to pull a length through the grommet. but if you tip it to the left, you should be good.
 
take the dash binnacle off. it's 4 or 5 screws, really easy.

just be careful with the speedo cable, you may need to unclip it.. on mine i have enough slack to pull a length through the grommet. but if you tip it to the left, you should be good.
Thanks Mate, Do you mean the clocks are the wires behind there??
 
yeah, speedo, fuel gauge bit. once it's out of the way you have access to the back of the ign barrel.
Cheers Mate
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Had the same problem a couple of years ago, fitted a new barrel, watch out for the small grub screw though when you come to remove the old one!
 
Check that the battery main earth is sound, as I had a similar problem after having paid way over the odds for a clutch change, and they 'forgot' to tighten the earth strap to the gearbox!

Also check that the battery lead clamps are holding the cables securely! Once again, it was something that had eluded us on our boat, and it turned out to be the +ive cable not clamped up tightly enough.
 
This problem went away for a couple of weeks, untill yesterday.
Startes again, now can only jump start it,
Lights come on the dash starter clicks everytime but wont start, had the front off and all wires going to the ignition barrel seem fine and intact, it did try a couple of times and started once after fiddling about with the wires for a good hour but once turned off it wont atart again.
Doing my head in now:mad: what else can I try wothout going to garage tomorrow???
Thanks
 
This problem went away for a couple of weeks, untill yesterday.
Startes again, now can only jump start it,
Lights come on the dash starter clicks everytime but wont start, had the front off and all wires going to the ignition barrel seem fine and intact, it did try a couple of times and started once after fiddling about with the wires for a good hour but once turned off it wont atart again.
Doing my head in now:mad: what else can I try wothout going to garage tomorrow???
Thanks

if the starter now clicks, it won't be the ign wiring.

ign on, out of gear. take a screw driver and bridge the small spade on the back of the starter to the big bolt with the wire from the battery.

it should start the engine, be careful.

if nothing happens, then bridge the two big studs on the back of the starter. it should spin, but not start the engine. if it spins it is the solenoid.
 
Just been trying the wires again and, there is 2 small wires going into the barrel one black/white, one red/white, moved these a bit and it started, turned it off then started again, moved them again and wont start, could it be somthing to do with these 2 wires??
Can just say see my starter looking down from the top, impossible to get hands in without moving loads of bits out the way, but will have to try.
 
there's a (red/white?) thin wire going to the starter. if this is putting out 12v then your ignition system is working. if it's not or is intermittent then your ign is iffy.
 
there's a (red/white?) thin wire going to the starter. if this is putting out 12v then your ignition system is working. if it's not or is intermittent then your ign is iffy.
Wil try that Mate, Thanks.
 
there's a (red/white?) thin wire going to the starter. if this is putting out 12v then your ignition system is working. if it's not or is intermittent then your ign is iffy.
OK Mate. there is 2 thick browns, 1 thick white, 2 thin one black/white, one red/white. the only one that putting 12 volt out is one of the thick browns, the others put very little out 1 to 2 volts, but the red/white does not put any voltage out.
 
OK Mate. there is 2 thick browns, 1 thick white, 2 thin one black/white, one red/white. the only one that putting 12 volt out is one of the thick browns, the others put very little out 1 to 2 volts, but the red/white does not put any voltage out.

a lot of people use the starter stud from the battery as a distribution point. that's why you'll have a bunch of wires on one big stud.

i think it's red/white. it should be thin and on a little spade on the starter solenoid by itself.

it will only show voltage when someone is turning the ignition as to start it. :)

i keep forgetting, you aren't in the borders, are you?
 
a lot of people use the starter stud from the battery as a distribution point. that's why you'll have a bunch of wires on one big stud.

i think it's red/white. it should be thin and on a little spade on the starter solenoid by itself.

it will only show voltage when someone is turning the ignition as to start it. :)

i keep forgetting, you aren't in the borders, are you?

These wires i mentioned are on the Ignition Barrel
 
These wires i mentioned are on the Ignition Barrel

ah no you need to do it from the starter.

you could test the ign switch if you can get at it.

stick the thick brown back on no5 (that's your 12v) and stick a multi black lead to earth and red to no4 term. when you turn the key as if to start it should read 12v.
 
ah no you need to do it from the starter.

you could test the ign switch if you can get at it.

stick the thick brown back on no5 (that's your 12v) and stick a multi black lead to earth and red to no4 term. when you turn the key as if to start it should read 12v.
Had to give up for today, too dark now.
What pipes/hoses ect do I have to move to be able to get to the starter??
Thanks for your help so far Mate.
 

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