Red Dwarf
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My 2007 Sprinter recently suffered from an intermittent starting problem. Sometimes it would start, other times times nothing! The dash lights come on, the electronic steering lock disengages and nothing, the starter doesn’t kick in.
The problem went from once every now and then, to hardly starting at all.
Here’s my take on finding the fault, there are numerous possibilities!
Firstly check to see if the glow plug light comes on when you turn the ignition on. Remember this might be only momentarily. If it doesn’t come on, it’s most likely the glow plug relay. If the relay isn’t working correctly it’ll make the ECU isolate the starting circuit. This relay is inside the cab on the left above the fuse box, you need to remove the left hand dash panel (easy peasy, just one screw!). The relay might look okay from the outside, inside there could be a chemical garden growing over the copper contacts. A genuine Merc Hella relay is under £20.
Assuming the heater plug/ glow plug light is coming on, next check the starter relay which is in the same location as above. Again, it can be badly corroded internally.
I’d suggest changing all the relays if one appears to be faulty. (It was suggested to me that MHs suffer more from relay problems because of high moisture levels and/or spending long periods not being used).
Next, check the engine to body earth strap. On my van it’s a short strap between the near side engine mount and the chassis leg. Take it off, throw it away and fit a new one ( an original Merc strap is only a few quid)). Be sure to take a wire brush to the mating services on the engine mount and the chassis leg before fitting a new strap.
Still got a problem? Check the connections on the starter motor and check the starter solenoid. On my van the starter is on the near side and needs to be accessed from underneath. There are two types of starter, so if you’re replacing the solenoid, you’ll need to know which it is. I’ve been told there are some cheapish new starter motors around that appear to work well.
The infamous Y cable! This is the cable between the battery, starter and alternator. There’s a hidden fuse along this cable that isn’t accessible unless you remove the cable. The fuse stays good, the connections to it corrode. A new Merc cable is around £65, you could make one up if you wanted, though you’d need the old one off for a pattern and some brackets. There’s a general thought among Sprinter owners that this cable should be replaced every eight or ten years or so.
The above should cover dead key non starting problems.
Of course there are other possible starting Issues. The above should help sort out the intermittent problem of the engine not turning over. Give me a shout if you want any advice! Hope this helps!
Red.
The problem went from once every now and then, to hardly starting at all.
Here’s my take on finding the fault, there are numerous possibilities!
Firstly check to see if the glow plug light comes on when you turn the ignition on. Remember this might be only momentarily. If it doesn’t come on, it’s most likely the glow plug relay. If the relay isn’t working correctly it’ll make the ECU isolate the starting circuit. This relay is inside the cab on the left above the fuse box, you need to remove the left hand dash panel (easy peasy, just one screw!). The relay might look okay from the outside, inside there could be a chemical garden growing over the copper contacts. A genuine Merc Hella relay is under £20.
Assuming the heater plug/ glow plug light is coming on, next check the starter relay which is in the same location as above. Again, it can be badly corroded internally.
I’d suggest changing all the relays if one appears to be faulty. (It was suggested to me that MHs suffer more from relay problems because of high moisture levels and/or spending long periods not being used).
Next, check the engine to body earth strap. On my van it’s a short strap between the near side engine mount and the chassis leg. Take it off, throw it away and fit a new one ( an original Merc strap is only a few quid)). Be sure to take a wire brush to the mating services on the engine mount and the chassis leg before fitting a new strap.
Still got a problem? Check the connections on the starter motor and check the starter solenoid. On my van the starter is on the near side and needs to be accessed from underneath. There are two types of starter, so if you’re replacing the solenoid, you’ll need to know which it is. I’ve been told there are some cheapish new starter motors around that appear to work well.
The infamous Y cable! This is the cable between the battery, starter and alternator. There’s a hidden fuse along this cable that isn’t accessible unless you remove the cable. The fuse stays good, the connections to it corrode. A new Merc cable is around £65, you could make one up if you wanted, though you’d need the old one off for a pattern and some brackets. There’s a general thought among Sprinter owners that this cable should be replaced every eight or ten years or so.
The above should cover dead key non starting problems.
Of course there are other possible starting Issues. The above should help sort out the intermittent problem of the engine not turning over. Give me a shout if you want any advice! Hope this helps!
Red.
I may yet give the job to my local MOT guy who has a 4 post lift capable of taking the Rapido.