Starting problems

[Scotclimb]

Hi again.
ive had on a few occasions the van won’t start. Turn key wait for glow plug light to go out and tge nothing on full turn. This is random sometimes it fired up straight away. Read up some posts on here and was going down the route of the glow plug relay when I found tge time. Took the van out tonight started after third attempt. Drove about five miles to Tesco. Heated seat on heater on as it is freezing in Aberdeenshire where we are. Got out with the shopping and nothing. Do had to bump. Luckily I was on a hill. This time I tried it with the lights to see if they dimmed. They actually went completely out. Any tips or advice. I’m now thinking a new battery? Thanks in advance

 

[B J G]

Sounds like battery but check all connections if not done so.

 

[Scotclimb]

Sounds like battery but check all connections if not done so.

Yeh going to check it in the morning. I suspect a new battery. We’ve only owned it two months and tge leisure batteries we had to replace as they were 13 years old. Probably the same as the engine one. I’ll find out in the morning. I assume it’s just a straight swap over. No ecu resets required??

 

[WelshGas]

Yeh going to check it in the morning. I suspect a new battery. We’ve only owned it two months and tge leisure batteries we had to replace as they were 13 years old. Probably the same as the engine one. I’ll find out in the morning. I assume it’s just a straight swap over. No ecu resets required??

If you don’t have BlueMotion , ie: Regenerative Braking and Stop/Start, then straight swap.

 

[Scotclimb]

If you don’t have BlueMotion , ie: Regenerative Braking and Stop/Start, then straight swap.

Thanks welshgas

 

[kurienp]

Until you sort out the starting problem ... and even afterwards, it is always good to have a small jump starter in the van. Check out NOCO at Halfords or any of the ones with good reviews on Amazon.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

If it’s the original battery, then it’s had a good life. More than 10 years. Mine conked last summer.

 

[SimonB]

These are the small jump start devices kept by many of us for that moment when it won't start
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/flat-battery-advice-please.25855/#post-295929 They are about the size of a couple of videos (remember them) put together but when fully charged with start a California.
Good luck
Simon

 

[Scotclimb]

These are the small jump start devices kept by many of us for that moment when it won't start
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/flat-battery-advice-please.25855/#post-295929 They are about the size of a couple of videos (remember them) put together but when fully charged with start a California.
Good luck
Simon

Thanks Simon. Just checking the voltage and at rest it was 12-4. Managed to start the van on second key turn. It then read 14-5. So I think the battery is fine. Now thinking faulty ignition switch. Or any other suggestions advice. Is there a way of testing a faulty ignition switch? Thanks

 

[B J G]

For the relatively low cost I'd just put a new one on.

Vw T5 Ignition Switch for sale | eBay

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[Scotclimb]

For the relatively low cost I'd just put a new one on.

Vw T5 Ignition Switch for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Vw T5 Ignition Switch. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

Would the lights dim with a faulty switch though when trying to crank??

 

[B J G]

Would the lights dim with a faulty switch though when trying to crank??

That normally indicates a faulty battery or conection or could be starter motor. Not heard of starter motor being a common failing part.

Have you taken battery connection off - cleaned and refitted with a smear of vaseline?

 

[Scotclimb]

Yeh going to check it in the morning. I suspect a new battery. We’ve only owned it two months and tge leisure batteries we had to replace as they were 13 years old. Probably the same as the engine one. I’ll find out in the morning. I assume it’s just a straight swap over. No ecu resets required??

This might have been a couple of flukes, but if I wiggle the keys up and down in the ignition it fired up. Maybe just a few flukes??

 

[kurienp]

This might have been a couple of flukes, but if I wiggle the keys up and down in the ignition it fired up. Maybe just a few flukes??

bad connections inside the ignition key? No harm in spraying some WD40 down the keyhole and just wriggle the key a few times. Another squirt and repeat the same a few times. Keep tissues handy to wipe any overflow. Could be just dirt.

 

[Scotclimb]

bad connections inside the ignition key? No harm in spraying some WD40 down the keyhole and just wriggle the key a few times. Another squirt and repeat the same a few times. Keep tissues handy to wipe any overflow. Could be just dirt.

Prefer thanks I’ll give it a try.

 

[Perfectos]

Prefer thanks I’ll give it a try.

Just be mindful

this is what WD40 says on their website,

CAN WD-40® BE USED AS AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT CLEANER?​

We don’t recommend using any WD-40 product as a contact cleaner apart from our Fast Drying Contact Cleaner. Our specialist contact spray is designed to remove residue, condensation and dirt from electrical equipment with pinpoint precision. It even has our patented Smart Straw® so that you can feel assured that you have the maximum accuracy.

 

[Scotclimb]

Just be mindful

this is what WD40 says on their website,

CAN WD-40® BE USED AS AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT CLEANER?​

We don’t recommend using any WD-40 product as a contact cleaner apart from our Fast Drying Contact Cleaner. Our specialist contact spray is designed to remove residue, condensation and dirt from electrical equipment with pinpoint precision. It even has our patented Smart Straw® so that you can feel assured that you have the maximum accuracy.

I have contact cleaner so I’ll try that instead. Assuming this works as a temporary fix. Would it be a new ignition switch or actual keys& barrel??

 

[SimonB]

Just a completely random thought. Do you have a lot of keys on the bunch that has your Cali ignition key on? A friend had so many house and office keys as well it pulled the key downwards a bit when in the ignition and affected the barrel. If you have a spare key, try that to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Scotclimb]

Just a completely random thought. Do you have a lot of keys on the bunch that has your Cali ignition key on? A friend had so many house and office keys as well it pulled the key downwards a bit when in the ignition and affected the barrel. If you have a spare key, try that to see if it makes a difference.

Thanks I’ll give that a try.

 

[gvick]

My tuppence worth of advice would be to ensure you charge your Cali once a month as this will give the leisure batteries and the starter battery a top up (2018 and onwards defo).
Short journeys, using lots of electronic aids eh heated seats and cold temperatures will affect any battery eventually. Hope that helps

 

[B J G]

My tuppence worth of advice would be to ensure you charge your Cali once a month as this will give the leisure batteries and the starter battery a top up (2018 and onwards defo).
Short journeys, using lots of electronic aids eh heated seats and cold temperatures will affect any battery eventually. Hope that helps

Charge to engine battery applies to 2017 (built Jan.) also

 

[Scotclimb]

Just a completely random thought. Do you have a lot of keys on the bunch that has your Cali ignition key on? A friend had so many house and office keys as well it pulled the key downwards a bit when in the ignition and affected the barrel. If you have a spare key, try that to see if it makes a difference.

Hi I’ve tried tge spare key and similar outcome. Just to rule out the ignition switch. If it’s at fault would the dash light up if it was faulty? Thanks

 

[Scotclimb]

I have contact cleaner so I’ll try that instead. Assuming this works as a temporary fix. Would it be a new ignition switch or actual keys& barrel??

Hi I’ve tried tge spare key and similar outcome. Just to rule out the ignition switch. If it’s at fault would the dash light up if it was faulty? Thank

 

[WelshGas]

Hi I’ve tried tge spare key and similar outcome. Just to rule out the ignition switch. If it’s at fault would the dash light up if it was faulty? Thank

Have you checked the age of the starting battery?
The voltage values you gave previously just indicate that the battery was at about 80% charge and the Alternator is working/charging.
However it doesn't show that the battery is capable of providing the amps to heat the glowplugs and power the starter. A failing battery will charge but fails to deliver when required.

 

[Scotclimb]

Have you checked the age of the starting battery?
The voltage values you gave previously just indicate that the battery was at about 80% charge and the Alternator is working/charging.
However it doesn't show that the battery is capable of providing the amps to heat the glowplugs and power the starter. A failing battery will charge but fails to deliver when required.

No but I’ll check it out.
that was my first thought. But it sometimes fails after six attempts
I thought after trying that many times would reduce the chances of it finally starting. I’ll check that out tonight. Thanks