[Paul Coleman]

I am currently vanless - hopefully not for very long.
It went awry on Saturday.  It looks like the start of the ageing process for Renault Trafics
It started with the key turning in the ignition far too easily.  The van started at the end of the turn.  Something didn't sound quite right - a low level whine (not from me  )  .  Anyway, I drove it a short distance.  When I tried to re-start the engine, nothing, zilch, nada.  The dash lights came on but it was dead.  I had a look under the bonnet - not that I would learn anything from that - and there was a distinct smell of something having burnt out.  Even one electric window is slightly ajar and can't close.  Fortunately it is in an area that should be safe (hopefully).
It sounds like it might be expensive to fix.  Any mechanical geniuses out there who may have a clue as to what is wrong pretty please?

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

It's probably not, but worth a shot anyway-

My van once stopped starting, the ignition worked but the starter motor wouldn't, it just clicked.

It turned out to be the earth strap (thick black lead from battery to van body) which had broken.

There is an easy way to eliminate this though- put a jump lead from the negative battery terminal to earth (van body) & see if the van will start.

Good luck with it anyway.

[dazmond]

paul it could be the battery!!trust me the same thing happened to me!battery virtually exploded!burnt smell under the bonnet!!thought my electrics were blown!replaced battery and all was fine!!it was an old battery that your supposed to fill up with distilled water!id never topped it up and it had run dry ruining it!!


check the battery and replace if neccesary.

hopefully thats all it is!!


best wishes


dazmond

[Pope vader]

get the rac out to it

[dazmond]

sorry missed in your post that the dashlights came on!itll be something electrical then!



sorry not much help!!



good luck with it!



dazmond

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

sounds like your ignition barrel has gone. It has left your key in the start position and left your starter motor 'in' (engaged with your fly wheel) This will hve burnt your starter motor out.
so needed are=
1. new ignition barrel
2.starter motor.

IMO 
Shouldnt cost to much

[Mike_G]

I had a similar thing happen to me and it was the actual key, do you have a spare? If you do try that one instead. I assume its one of those electronic fob-keys? When they play up all sorts of strange things happen

[bobby p]

sounds like your ignition barrel has gone. It has left your key in the start position and left your starter motor 'in' (engaged with your fly wheel) This will hve burnt your starter motor out.
so needed are=
1. new ignition barrel
2.starter motor.

IMO 
Shouldnt cost to much

+1

[Paul Coleman]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I am a mechanical dunce - really   .

I do have a recovery service.  Unfortunately, when it broke down, I didn't have their number on my mobile.  I thought it was on there but I changed my phone a while ago and it appears that not all the info was transferred.  It was one of the less well known companies and I couldn't remember the name.  I am indoors with the paperwork and see that it's called Alps Road Rescue (arranged by Alexander Swan).

WinPro.
The van is about 10 miles from home so I'm not in a position to check your theory.  However, might the key suddenly being able to fully turn in the barrel be inconsistent with what you've written?  (Just asking as I've no idea).

Dazmond.
I replaced the battery at the start of 2010 (that freeze-up finally killed the old one).  I think it's a maintenance free battery but can't check this as the van isn't with me.

Kentkleen and Mike_G

I'm inclined to go for Kentkleen's explanation.  I had the spare key with me and that turned too easily as well.
Assuming that I need a new ignition barrel and a new starter motor.  Not cheap but not as bad as I first feared.
Another question.
If I need a new barrel, does this mean I will need to get two new keys as well.  They are the battery operated fob keys and cost about £160 per key.  Apparently they can't be made up by a third party as the code readers are unable to read the full code.  Or do they reprogram the existing keys.  The existing keys are rough anyway as the plastic covers have long since come off so maybe I should replace them anyway.
Also, another reason for suspecting the ignition barrel is that there have been odd occasions when it felt like a key wasn't turning properly - though none in recent months.  Also, recently it has sometimes felt that I had to exert slightly more force when withdrawing the key from the barrel.
So I'm thinking along the lines of new barrel, two new keys and a starter motor.  Plus the labour for the garage to sort it (about 50 - £55 an hour) as I wouldn't know where to start.  Renault parts don't come cheap either.  How much?  £1k?  £800  £1,200?  I'm thinking two keys - £320.  Starter motor and ignition barrel - £300/£400??? .  Maybe 2-3 hours labour - total maybe £800  .  Plus the VAT that I can't reclaim.  Does this sound in the right ballpark area?  Bear in mind it's a Renault Trafic.

[Mike_G]

It's probably not, but worth a shot anyway-

My van once stopped starting, the ignition worked but the starter motor wouldn't, it just clicked.

It turned out to be the earth strap (thick black lead from battery to van body) which had broken.

There is an easy way to eliminate this though- put a jump lead from the negative battery terminal to earth (van body) & see if the van will start.

Good luck with it anyway.

Now I think of it that happened to a mate of mines transporter.

[Mike_G]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I am a mechanical dunce - really   .

I do have a recovery service.  Unfortunately, when it broke down, I didn't have their number on my mobile.  I thought it was on there but I changed my phone a while ago and it appears that not all the info was transferred.  It was one of the less well known companies and I couldn't remember the name.  I am indoors with the paperwork and see that it's called Alps Road Rescue (arranged by Alexander Swan).

WinPro.
The van is about 10 miles from home so I'm not in a position to check your theory.  However, might the key suddenly being able to fully turn in the barrel be inconsistent with what you've written?  (Just asking as I've no idea).

Dazmond.
I replaced the battery at the start of 2010 (that freeze-up finally killed the old one).  I think it's a maintenance free battery but can't check this as the van isn't with me.

Kentkleen and Mike_G

I'm inclined to go for Kentkleen's explanation.  I had the spare key with me and that turned too easily as well.
Assuming that I need a new ignition barrel and a new starter motor.  Not cheap but not as bad as I first feared.
Another question.
If I need a new barrel, does this mean I will need to get two new keys as well.  They are the battery operated fob keys and cost about £160 per key.  Apparently they can't be made up by a third party as the code readers are unable to read the full code.  Or do they reprogram the existing keys.  The existing keys are rough anyway as the plastic covers have long since come off so maybe I should replace them anyway.
Also, another reason for suspecting the ignition barrel is that there have been odd occasions when it felt like a key wasn't turning properly - though none in recent months.  Also, recently it has sometimes felt that I had to exert slightly more force when withdrawing the key from the barrel.
So I'm thinking along the lines of new barrel, two new keys and a starter motor.  Plus the labour for the garage to sort it (about 50 - £55 an hour) as I wouldn't know where to start.  Renault parts don't come cheap either.  How much?  £1k?  £800  £1,200?  I'm thinking two keys - £320.  Starter motor and ignition barrel - £300/£400??? .  Maybe 2-3 hours labour - total maybe £800  .  Plus the VAT that I can't reclaim.  Does this sound in the right ballpark area?  Bear in mind it's a Renault Trafic.

Thats what happened on my Vito and it was the key. Once those fobs get little knicks on them they play up and do exactly what your van is doing. My money is on the key, but I am no expert! I sprayed a bit of wd40 on my key and it started the van so try that, dont ask me why or how that worked but it did, but it still played up but I got home, dont spray any down the ignition barrel tho....they dont like it apparently

[bobby p]

you can always leave the old key taped up near to the lock barrel, that will be close enough to override the immobilizer.     ive seen a few transits like that,saves reprogramming new keys

[AuRavelling79]

Kentkleen is right.

Starter motors may not be that expensive as you don't necessarily need a Renault branded one - trawl the net.

[mci services]

It's probably not, but worth a shot anyway-

My van once stopped starting, the ignition worked but the starter motor wouldn't, it just clicked.

It turned out to be the earth strap (thick black lead from battery to van body) which had broken.

There is an easy way to eliminate this though- put a jump lead from the negative battery terminal to earth (van body) & see if the van will start.

Good luck with it anyway.

check this out first, it may be a long shot but it is a likely problem and easy to fix

[EandM]

you can always leave the old key taped up near to the lock barrel, that will be close enough to override the immobilizer.     ive seen a few transits like that,saves reprogramming new keys

That's a really clever idea and a good bit of lateral thinking.
My old P100 is pre-immobiliser and the last barrel and key change cost me about £10 and 30 mins of my time.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Rough price from a motor disco shop is £100 priced one up last week for a vivaro(same as traffic), 3 models of starter and most expensive was 95+vat
Smell of burning when you lifted the bonnet points to the starter. Unless your keys where near your nose when you opened the bonnet!!
Hope you get sorted

[Mike_G]

I'm no expert so please excuse my ignorance but why would a broken starter motor stop the electric window working?

[mci services]

I'm no expert so please excuse my ignorance but why would a broken starter motor stop the electric window working?

it wouldn't

[Paul Coleman]

I'm no expert so please excuse my ignorance but why would a broken starter motor stop the electric window working?

That's a good point.  I hadn't thought of that.
Anyway, I will be getting the recovery/tow organised tomorrow.  Couldn't be bothered with it on a Sunday as I will need to use some public transport.  I may end up hiring a small van for a day or so and using backpack and barrels.  See how it goes.  If I can get sorted fairly quickly I may just have a couple of days off instead.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

why would you get a smell of burning then if its just a key fob?
Hope it is just your key fob paul!!