I recently bought a scudo for a cheap price.
Previous owner is a friend and he had told me he had experienced a couple of occasions where the battery had not started the van and he had to use jump leads.
I have been running it without problems for a week, but then I went to start it and the engine is turning (knocking loudly but that seems to be exhaust on chassis) but will not fire up and actually start. Naturally after a few attempts the battery does dwindle but I am wondering if he had the beginnings of the issue I am experiencing?

Now I was a plonker the other day and jumped in and turned it without allowing glow plug light to go out first, it was smokey then cleared after a minute or so.
I did use it a couple of times without issues after that.
I found a very old thread which mentioned it may be glow plug related but did not get a reply probably as thread was in 2010.

I am hoping it is something simple and not fuel pump etc, so any advice would be massively appreciated as I need it for work.

Thanks in advance ;-)

Is started turning over fast enough also u need a good strong battery

Sorry, I don't understand what you are saying?

When turning engine over if starter motor is not turning fast enough it will not start engine, if battery is not powerful enough to turn starter fast enough engine not start, if it started when u jumped it off another vehicle its probably battery needs replaced

OK thanks mate. I have a new battery which i will try tomorrow, but it seems to have plenty of punch just not firing over.
I found a few similair issues on other forums, it sounds like solenoids or switch may also be faulty. Which makes sense as I did start it up without glow plug light going off, i will keep you updated.

r masters said:

When turning engine over if starter motor is not turning fast enough it will not start engine, if battery is not powerful enough to turn starter fast enough engine not start, if it started when u jumped it off another vehicle its probably battery needs replaced

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OR possibly., that the jump lead offered a batter EARTH connection than the black lead on the vehicle,

these cables can break down internally , and strangle the starter..
as it's not getting enough power from an otherwise o.k. battery.

:idea: try a jump lead from the fully charged battery on your van,
going from the neg. battery terminal to the engines metalwork

in effect giving the starter 2 x earth cables.. IF it cranks better and starts..then you have a dodgy earth connection.

varesecrazy said:

OR possibly., that the jump lead offered a batter EARTH connection than the black lead on the vehicle,

these cables can break down internally , and strangle the starter..
as it's not getting enough power from an otherwise o.k. battery.

:idea: try a jump lead from the fully charged battery on your van,
going from the neg. battery terminal to the engines metalwork

in effect giving the starter 2 x earth cables.. IF it cranks better and starts..then you have a dodgy earth connection.

Click to expand...

OK I will give that a try tomorrow, I tried jumping it off my shogun but same results. But I will test the connection that method

BigAL1976 said:

OK I will give that a try tomorrow, I tried jumping it off my shogun but same results. But I will test the connection that method

Click to expand...

Bear in mind when jump starting if your battery is shot it will pull down the power of the jump vehicle...to be sure I usually remove the positive from battery and have the jump clipped to the removed lead.

Charlies idea about dodgy earth makes a lot of sense

Andycabs said:

Bear in mind when jump starting if your battery is shot it will pull down the power of the jump vehicle...to be sure I usually remove the positive from battery and have the jump clipped to the removed lead.
<SNIP>

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NO! NEVER disconnect the vehicle battery when jump starting.


The battery (flat or not) is a vital part of the electrical system. It helps stabilise the system reducing the effect of any changes in load and "absorbing" spikes.
If you disconnect the jump start vehicle (or pack) or a lead drops off there may be an electrical surge that causes damage to the vehicles electrics.
Connect the Jump car and let it run at fast idle for a couple of minutes before trying the car with the flat battery.




Robert G8RPI.

r masters said:

When turning engine over if starter motor is not turning fast enough it will not start engine, if battery is not powerful enough to turn starter fast enough engine not start, if it started when u jumped it off another vehicle its probably battery needs replaced

Click to expand...

FWIW I bought one of these:

https://www.tayna.co.uk/E44-Varta-Silver-Car-Battery-577400078-P7726.html

It's pretty good (5 year guarantee).

I had this problem, took ages to start if it started at all and then the rest of the day it was fine. after a lot of research it was suggested it might be an injector,

I did change the fuel filter as i run on biodiesel just in case and a couple of days later it started fine and has done since, not sure if it was the filter change or whatever it was that was sticking got unstuck.

I had the very same problem with my new van, the guy delivered her to my door and she ran and started fine all that day, I parked her up and left her. The next day no joy, turned over but would not start. Checked Earths as instructed, checked for fuel, a number of people said starter motor, as the motor only turned over slowly, even with a jump start.
I bit the bullet, and bought a new starter motor from here
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/F...4d9c9e7ef0489b3dff1485e3c5c96bd141a39c&000308
Fitted and started first turn.
Hope this helps.