Right ,where do I start, Have been driving my townie for 5 months with no probelms until now. I just tryed to start my townie and there is no joy, I tryed the checking the inhibrator switch and thats fine, plus when turning the key I can still hear all the nessary noises from the relay switch's , being one click from the engine and one click from under the dash.........after trying to start it numerous times the battery has gone low, but I did notice that when I first turn the key to heat the glow plugs up , the light are dim , until the click from the engine goes and the lights go brighter again, could anybody give me some advice ....................cheers Graham

- (#7658) Graham, 9 Jan 04 08:37

Graham,
Have a read of Ace Answers Archives Engine Starter.
Many problems and and to fix found there.
However if the battery has gone low that may be your first thing to look at, see if an overnight charge cures the problem. It needs a a lot of power to spin the starter and your battery may not have it.

- (#7658) Clive (Bristol), 9 Jan 04 08:52

Cheers Clive, its a pitty I'm not at home in Bristol, instead at stuck at work in Cardiff , so the battery option is out, so from reading , its either hit the starter motor, or the drop in voltage probelm or even the sol relay..shhh , better start playing trial and error before it gets dark, cheers anyway Graham

- (#7658) Graham, 9 Jan 04 09:31

Quick way is to disconnect the low voltage link to the starter, turn ign on, push ribber cap off of the high voltage connection and touch the bare end og the LV one to it. That will spin the starter if there is enough power in the battery, and should start the Ace.
Tipping down here at the mo, hope you are under cover.

- (#7658) Clive (Bristol), 9 Jan 04 09:43

Well, had to leave me van in Cardiff, Basically I tryed starting it with jump leads, but no go, So its either one of the two relay fuses or the starter motor, so Monday I'm going to charge the battery and then get a autoeletrician out because I cna't see the probelm........Is there any signs you get to tell u that the starter motor is on its way out,its definatly a mystery because every was running sound?///

- (#7658) Graham, 11 Jan 04 09:56

You know I've been sat indoors nothing to do all day - non starter challange would have made my day.
Does anything work - door light/radio?
If no I'd say the battery has had it.
If yes then could still be the battery a good charge will let you know, it will start, then get the battery tested for hold. May also be the starter and maybe a fuse. If you are getting an auto lecky to have a look then he will find out whats what, let him know that there is this Townace voltage drop and to try the bypass the ign starting fix to rule out a dead starter.
Best of luck
Clive

- (#7658) Clive Bristol, 11 Jan 04 10:44

HMMMM, other eletrical things work, so the battery i feel is alright, but after just thinking, I lost my radio last week it has power and lights up but no sounds + my left head light stopped the other day too, I don't know if this has any relevance but hmmmm, fuses......? i'LL LET U KNOW THE OUTCOME TOMMORROW.cheers Graham

- (#7658) Graham, 11 Jan 04 12:01

well, trying to get a mobile sparky isn't the best in cardiff, anyhow still chargeing the battery to try it again, but if the battery was fully charged in the first place i dont know if its going to help, other wise i've i've got to wait til tommorrow morning til a mobile sparky can tow it to the garage, if the starter , which it more then likely going to be then tis goingto cost in the region of £120 all in....????

- (#7658) Graham, 12 Jan 04 10:23