Technical Ducato Motorhome intermittent starting.

[Declanmc1]

Still having an intermittent starting problem with our Fiat Ducato based motorhome 2020 2.3 180bhp. Will start no problem after a long rest. Then at a garage or at the ferry etc after turning off will not start. Just nothing no turning over or anything. All lights come on and display no issues but on turning of key just the faintest of clicks. Then after an hour or so will start no problem first time. Very infuriating and obviously not ideal as no confidence in what will happen on a trip and having to keep engine running at all times with the risk. Any ideas?

 

[ZaphodB]

Main engine earth strap condition (and it's connections both ends) is first check on a probem like this ....

(Bit early on a 5 year old vehicle but worth checking/confirming anyway)

If that, battery and starter 12V connections also check out , only then should the starter come into your sights as a potential failure.

 

[Communicator]

Still having an intermittent starting problem with our Fiat Ducato based motorhome 2020 2.3 180bhp. Will start no problem after a long rest. Then at a garage or at the ferry etc after turning off will not start. Just nothing no turning over or anything. All lights come on and display no issues but on turning of key just the faintest of clicks. Then after an hour or so will start no problem first time. Very infuriating and obviously not ideal as no confidence in what will happen on a trip and having to keep engine running at all times with the risk. Any ideas?

It would help if you did not start multiple threads about the same problem.
What have you checked? Is the vehicle fitted with a smart alternator, and is the battery being charged correctly?

 

[Declanmc1]

Yes smart meter. Meter while running shows charging whilst braking and down hill travelling. At the rest of the time it is on a single light out of four. What I usually have to do is connect the liesure battery to the strayer battery and that gets me going…..and yes I have just put in a brand new Bosch agm battery thinking this would help. When you are about to get on a ferry and the thing does not start and you end up being towed in a 100k vehicle onto the boat you might get a little frustrated and reach out for knowledge more than once. It ended up starting on the ferry first time after a three hour crossing.

 

[Communicator]

Yes smart meter. Meter while running shows charging whilst braking and down hill travelling. At the rest of the time it is on a single light out of four. What I usually have to do is connect the liesure battery to the strayer battery and that gets me going…..and yes I have just put in a brand new Bosch agm battery thinking this would help. When you are about to get on a ferry and the thing does not start and you end up being towed in a 100k vehicle onto the boat you might get a little frustrated and reach out for knowledge more than once. It ended up starting on the ferry first time after a three hour crossing.

I was thinking of one of those compact digital multimeters that plug into cigarette lighter socket. Could be more informative.

 

[Declanmc1]

It’s four LEDs and gives you a range from 12 to 13 plus and is easy to read whilst driving. Gives a good indication of what’s happening.

 

[jackwhoo]

Post 1
When hot .....faintest of clicks.....
Dodgy starter motor /solenoid on starter / wiring connections on starter?

 

[Communicator]

It’s four LEDs and gives you a range from 12 to 13 plus and is easy to read whilst driving. Gives a good indication of what’s happening.

Do you mean four individual LEDs, or 4 digits? I suspect the first option.

 

[Declanmc1]

Four LEDs ranging from red to yellow to amber to green.