Vito wont Start

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:17 pm

Please Help!!

I have a 2002 Merc Vito 108cdi and i have just gone to go out and it wont start, it has been fine all day

When i turn the key all lights come up on dash but nothing happens and it does not even try and turn over and there is not any spinning or clicking from the starter

The glow plug light has been on for the last week while driving but i dont think this is anything to with it as its not turning over??

Also i dont get a "start error" message on the display

Thanks
Jason

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:42 pm

Have you switched the lights on the vehicle, to make sure the battery is not flat?

Sometimes there is enough power in the battery to power the lights in the instrument cluster, but not enough to fire it up, so if you switch the headlights on, they should be bright and last a few minutes. If they don't the battery is not charged enough!

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:11 pm

Headlights work fine sorry forgot to mention that in post

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:35 am

i have been thinking about it and for the last few weeks i remembered that ocassionly when i went to start it this would happen and after a couple of times turning the key it would start and i had just put it down to touching a pedal (some kind of sensor!!) while trying to start it, so i must of been wrong

I am thinking it might be the starter motor or wiring??

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:42 am

just an update!!

i knocked the starter a few times with a hammer and no joy!!
i then really rocked the van and it started!

So am i right in thinking the starter motor is dodgy?

mikew1972 · Post by **mikew1972** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:58 am

My first thought would be the solenoid.
My second the immobiliser.
My third the starter motor.
To eliminate the first 2 connect some jump leads direct from the battery to the starter motor next time its happening.

Raf · Post by **Raf** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:07 pm

4th; crank sensor (but this can be checked with diagnostics)

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:13 pm

mikew1972 wrote:My first thought would be the solenoid.
My second the immobiliser.
My third the starter motor.
To eliminate the first 2 connect some jump leads direct from the battery to the starter motor next time its happening.

thank you i can hear the solenoid click once when the key is turned,
and i dont suspect it to be the immobiliser as if it was this then it would come up with start error on display so i am still thinking starter

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:14 pm

Raf wrote:4th; crank sensor (but this can be checked with diagnostics)

Thank you

graemet · Post by **graemet** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:43 pm

Raf wrote:4th; crank sensor (but this can be checked with diagnostics)

Faulty crank sensor shouldn't stop it turning over.
Sounds more like dodgy starter or starter relay to me.

I'd also try replacing the grey CDI relay in the bottom of the fuse-box.
It's the one at the bottom of the fuse-box with the 'M' printed next to it on the fuse-box. There should be three relays, marked 'M' 'I' and 'W'. The 'M' relay is for the CDI control unit feed.

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:07 pm

well happened again this morning as i was out getting a paper so called breakdown!
They came out and put a booster pack on and it started then he hooked up a multi meter and it was reading 19.6v

So he put all electrical equipment on and it only went down to 16.3
He said that alternator overcharging and thats why the glowplug light is on aswell

Is there anyway a new voltage regulator can be fitted without replacing alternator? as money is very tight with not a lot of work on at the moment(and christmas and new baby due next month)

mikew1972 · Post by **mikew1972** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:40 pm

There's an internet site where you put in the second hand part you want and car breakers email you with their best price to supply one. Sorry can't remember the name of the site or anything more as it was sometime ago that I used it but it worked well for me. I got a complete car drivers door from the exact model and in the exact colour I wanted, including postage for about £60.

graemet · Post by **graemet** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:37 pm

Some of the alternators have replaceable regulator/brushboxes. Have a look on the back of the alt. and if it's easily replaceable, you'll be able to see the regulator on the back of it.
From memory, I think it's the Bosch ones that can be replaced.

jay81 · Post by **jay81** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:04 pm

had starter motor off this morning and bench tested it and pinion came out and failed to spin, went and picked up new one and all sorted now, thanks for all your help