:bang:

Hi this is a sticky issue. Many times in the past I have come across a starter motor that clicks on the solenoid, this normally is no more than a loose battery connection.
However, a friend had told me on a Doblo van the fault could be one of many things such as sensors relays etc. etc.
So I called a local garage to see if they could come and carry out a computer diagnostics, I was little concerned when I needed to pay £55 upfront to find the mechanic just to give me a second opinion and not plug a computer into my van.
What he did was have me turn the key so he could hear the click from the starter.
He then asked if it would start with a push? I told him it does go with a push, as I have had to start it a few times with a push over the past week.
Then he proceeded to connect a boost start unit to the battery, I told him this wouldn't work as its been tried the day before, but he had me turn the key again, and still just the same click.
It was at this point I said to him, cant you just plug the computer into it, thats what I wanted you to do.
He then clicked a switch on the booster unit, and asked me to turn the key one more time, as I did this all the dashboard lights went out. The mechanic then told me he had switched the booster unit to 24V and this had blown the week link in the starter motor thus just confirming his diagnostics of the faulty starter motor.


He said his garage could change the starter for me at a cost of £300 plus parts, and was very sure that a new starter would cure all. Well I couldn't afford this and took the job on myself.


Well after getting a starter for £117.20 from Europarts, (and that wasn't the cheapest one), and with finding a 25Amp fuse blown, plus a good day laying under my van, I managed to install the new starter.
I came as no surprise to me that this never cured the problem and I still have no dashboard lights, I have fully charged the battery as well.


Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong, or what could have been damaged due to 24Volts being put through a 12Volt system, as the garage are taking no responsibility for their actions.

Bad earthing can cause this issue you have.check earthing points for bad connection.
As for the 24 volt, god knows what damage that has done.
I would take it to them and get them to sort it out at there expense
as they have admitted to the fact.
Luigi

Fuses are over-current devices. Depending what over-voltage protection is around the EMU etc., all sorts of damage may have been done. I find this story astonishing. I can not imagine any competent auto-electrician doing such a thing.

B.E

I will quiet happily name the garage, but at this point I'm not out to rein their business, I'm just looking for some idea of what could be wrong, so when I go back to him, if he tries to charge me for things he has messed up, at least I will know.

As mentioned, check main earth or simply connect one jump lead from battery negative to engine (anywhere metal) and see if itstarts, if not go from battery negative to body earth (metal) does it start now.

One further point is ignition switch as they are known problems and starters and switches are often changed together, there are no 'magic' sensors or anything in the starting circuit it's straight forward starting circuit.

Just a possibility, Solenoid, often not changed with starter, makes a clicking noise pushing the pinion into flywheel, but fails to switch on starter motor.

This problem was resolved by changing one of the 25Amp fuses, it was a faulty fuse because visually it looked ok, but it was dislodged inside and not making contact. But thanks for your input guys. It was only due to you feedback regarding earth faults etc. that helped me come across the problem and finding the cheep tacky fuse.

i love a happy ending, and the power of Forums to help there fellow man ...... mike.