[Sir Squeaky]

Didn't charge the battery up!
Bit late now.

[mbredalert]

maybe not. whack it on quick, you'll probably have enuf charge for the day. whats the capacity on the battery? and was it fully discharged over the weekend?

[Peter Fogwill]

Didn't charge the battery up!
Bit late now.

Make up a plug to fit into cigarette lighter one end and the pump the other.  Ideal for emergencies like this.

Peter

[Sir Squeaky]

That's a good idea Peter.

It's on for a couple of hours now, then I'll work a bit later and have a shorter lunch.
Shouldn't be any worse off.

The charger goes from 6 down to 1, and it's on 3.
Another hour should see it about 2, and I expect that'll last the day.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

Wow how long do you have for lunch?

Hope it goes well.

[Trevor Knight]

Squeaky,

Our garage fit a charge relay that works off the alternator so we always have a charge. It costs £30 each vehicle and would save you this problem. May be worth asking in your local garage if they can do the same.

Trev

[Sir Squeaky]

Doesn't matter now Trev, the van's packed up.  :

Starter motor doesn't work.
Luckily I was parked on a slope, but outside my house isn't.

Can't move it now.

I just wanted to get work back up together and then lease a new van, but it's not even going let me do that is it?

5 weeks behind, 5 weeks without earnings, now this.
Doesn't life kick you when you're down...?

[Tosh]

Squeaks,

I feel sorry for you, mate.  If there's anything I can do; give me a shout!

A starter motor isn't the end of the world though.  They're normally simple to fit; even 'cack-handed' me has fitted one.

[Tosh]

Oh, have you tried banging it with a hammer; the starter motor that is?

Sometimes they just stick and a tap-or-two with a hammer sorts them out!

[Paul Coleman]

Doesn't matter now Trev, the van's packed up.  :

Starter motor doesn't work.
Luckily I was parked on a slope, but outside my house isn't.

Can't move it now.

I just wanted to get work back up together and then lease a new van, but it's not even going let me do that is it?

5 weeks behind, 5 weeks without earnings, now this.
Doesn't life kick you when you're down...?

Sorry to hear that Rog.
Escort spares tend to be fairly cheap but it's a pain in the rear when the budget is tight.
Hope you get it sorted quick mate.

[Sir Squeaky]

Oh, have you tried banging it with a hammer; the starter motor that is?

Sometimes they just stick and a tap-or-two with a hammer sorts them out!

Yeah, it's had a right old whack.
It was dented already, so it's obviously happened before.

Whether I can fit it I don't know, I'm crap at these things.
Haven't got the money for another one (even from a scrappy) anyway.

It's also started making a grumbling noise from a front axle too, or somewhere in that region.
It wallows like a boat when it's got a full load of water in.
Bloody deathtrap, wish I'd never bought it.

Got another reminder letter from Inland Revenue again today too.

Everyone wants money but I have none.

[peter1]

hi squeaky i had that problem on a car before toke to a garage they tapped the starter motor all over with a hammer and it started to work till i had the money to replace only a idea mate

[KJG]

Oh, have you tried banging it with a hammer; the starter motor that is?

Sometimes they just stick and a tap-or-two with a hammer sorts them out!

Yeah, that can work in if it's not completely knackered. Also, try rolling forward a few inches before ignition and 3 or 4 quick turns of the key too.

[Chris Cottrell]

Starter motors are normally exchange parts or atleast recon parts , i had mine reconditioned recently cost me about £35/40 or so I took it off dropped it in an had it back same day too it only has 3 bolts on it to take it off

Chris

[Moderator David@stives]

put it in gear and rock the car, normally helps.

As for the flat battery, i wont say i told you !!!!!!!!

Anyway dont feel down , you will soon be laughing about this traumatic time

Dave

[Russell Macdonald]

Dude, what can i say. Nothing worse than  when it all seems against you.

You will get there mate.

Macc

[aztec]

never rains but it pours mate

where are you perhaqps some of us can help you get back on track

[Sir Squeaky]

Cheers guys.

I've tried everything, including belting it.
Think I'll start belting the van soon...

I'll borrow the missus' car tomorrow, and try to get one early.
If it can be fitted by my useless self (or Ian), then it'll do for now.

Still concerned about the grinding noise though, and it ain't the brakes.

I'm not throwing money at the pile of poop.
Been there years ago.

[Pat Purcell]

Roger, sometimes when the starter is giving trouble its just the starter selonoid
(a small usually circular box about the size of a pack of cigarettes with a wire running from the battery to it and from there to the starter) just disconnect the wire from the battery and whack the selonoid a few times with the end of a screw driver and replace the wire and try it
May not be the problem but worth a shot

[JohnL]

Give it a good whipping with a branch Rog