MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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So I just had my first breakdown in the Transporter. The starter motor went from working perfectly to completely dead with no warning at all. Luckily there was enough of a slope in Asda's carpark to get a bit of speed up and bump start it to get home.
Now I need to get the thing out! I've only removed starter motors and alternators on old cars where you can see what you're doing. This thing looks buried and I can't decided whether to go in through the top, the bottom, or pull the front grille and everything off.
Does anyone have any pointers before I go off half cocked? Don't really want the van sitting in bits in the street for any longer than necessary. Can't find any info in the usual places.
Thanks
Sharkattack
I had an alternator pack up on my 05 T5, the only way to get at it is to pull the front forward, means ditching the fluids to rads ect,not an easy job for a car park!!
Have a look on the Brickyard site and or post an enquiry.
1.9 or 2.5 ?
Sorry, 2.5 T30.
Don't need to get at the alternator in this case, just the starter.
Sorry can't give advise on that one , not had the pleasure so far .
All i can offer is , check the main battery cable to the starter . Had a VW Caddy a couple of years back and this broke off at the starter twice giving similar symptoms . Drove some where no problems (cable obviously broke en route ) Came back to the van affter switching off and nothing , not even solenoid clicking . Sorted by replace the stiff VW cable with a slightly longer piece of more flexible cable .
It doesn't look good. I just went in from the bottom.
I can only access one bolt and it just spins. The other bolt is on the top of the starter motor with no access. All the cables and connections look in tact. And there's a lot of them!
I am out of my depth...
Where are you based ?
Sunderland
Unfortunately
Bugger , about 70 east of me 🙁
Never mind, I've got mechanically minded mates. I'll start hassling them now.
sharkattack - MemberIt doesn't look good. I just went in from the bottom.....
Sorry, not helpful but the schoolboy in me just couldn't stifle a s**** at this... 🙂
get on the t4 / t5 forum and someone on there will help. lots of knowledge.
The starter motor on my T4 was relatively straight forwards,Im not sure if the T5s similar but you need to remove the four torx bolts on the metal plate on the front radiator top cover, Once tis is done the radiator will lift up and out on a couple of up and over hinges, (no need to remove fluids) this will give you access to the top of the starter but you will also need to remove the lower engine cover and thats a pain in the ass to drop without ramps.hth..Its a long shot but check the battery terminals are tight and the earth strap to body is secure.
Is the starter motor clicking at all?? Could be a bad connection on the starter (take the wires off and clean the connectors). Could be the starter relay. Could be the starter sticking (have you tried lightly tapping with a small hammer?)
All connections are nice and tight, first thing I tried was tapping it with a long drift. Where would I find the starter relay and how would I check it?
I've been waiting to get back under the van today but it's lashing down outside. The thing is just so inaccessible. I've heard you can loosen the radiator and tip it forward giving access to the top bolts.
Not had an answer on the T5 forum yet.
Ive done mine on a T4 but not a T5.. arent there any pipes you can remove on the top to get access?? Its probably only 3 or 4 bolts holding it on.
First is the soleniod clicking in when you turn the key? YES?? Do all the lights on the dash dim or go out, YES??? try the jump lead earth trick. MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT THE NEGATIVE TO EARTH!! No? try shorting the terminals on the starter. You could have other faults I.E a dodgy soleniod or ignition switch circuit. Shorting (making a short circuit) between the main live pole on the starter & the small terminal. when you do this the starter should work or at least click in the soleniod, if the starter works fine check out the ignition switch circuit. If nothing happens the soleniod is probably duff. might be a good idea to try the earth lead trick with this method if you get nothing. BUT BEWARE MAKE SURE YOU GET THE NEGATIVE POLE TO EARTH!! this should give you some idea if you have starter/soleniod or ignition circuit fault.
This is not a fix you still have a problem that needs sorting!!
WHILE DOING ALL THIS MAKE SURE YOUR'E IN NEUTRAL!! You really dont want to run yourself over with your own van. LOL
If the battery has plenty of power first thought is the starter relay, then check earth lead.
After that could be starter motor itself or an immobiliser fault.
Post on brickyard or t5 forum sure someone will be able to help.
Battery is fine. Starter motor does 'clunk' on ignition. No flickering lights or anything.
Brickyard forum looks good I'll try there.
Thanks for all the help so far! Just waiting for the rain to chill out now. I can have it picked up and refurbed by a mate on Tuesday if I can get it out in time.