Is it the alternator???.

I have just had Frooty in panel beaters for 3 weeks getting rust taken out but when I picked her up and tried to start her she was dead as a dodo, not a sound. The battery light and oil light come on and lights still worked. We clutch started her and drove her home she run awesomely as usual but if I switched key off it would not start again. A friend had a look and said battery was good and it might be alternator or starter motor? Does the motor have to come out to replace alternator? How much am I looking at for a new one? I am going to change her name from Frootloop to Money Pit ... Lol. Looks like she will be going for a ride on the back of the RACQ truck again. Any advice much appreciated.
Cheers Jools

 

Might be just a loose wire on starter motor, if battery is fully charged it's not your alternator.
good news is motor doesn't need to come out to replace alternator or starter motor

 

Sticky solenoid on the starter motor perhaps?

If the battery light was not on whilst you drove it, I wouldn't suspect the alternator.

Assuming all the wires are in place, you can give the starter a "gentle but firm" tap, whilst you turn the key. If it fires up, the starter motor and / or solenoid, need overhauling.

 

turn the lights on and try to start it

Do the lights go out

 

sorry - just re-read your post

your lights worked.

I would be checking the wire that goes to the solenoid on starter first.
I am guessing it is loose

 

Battery is probably too flat to start it after sitting for 3 weeks. Get a battery charger and charge it up over a few days then try again.

What area was the panel beater working in?

 

Hey guys I forgot to say I am a 60 old boiler and have no idea where the solenoid or starter motor are ... Sorry! Lol

 

All good - you just sit in the drivers seat to turn the key, whilst someone else checks the wiring and possibly taps the starter motor into life.......

 

As synchro says charge the battery and if that doesn't work go from there.

 

not an alternator issue or else you wouldn't have made it home. Also not a battery issue as you would hear it trying to slowly crank, and your lights would hardly work. Possibly someone caught a wire when they were cutting the rust out? Or possible starter motor. Racq should be able to figure out which it is.

 

Not always

 

RACQ came and had a look yesterday but he also had no idea where the starter motor was lol. Am just waiting for the truck to come now and tow her up to Rocky. Thanx everyone for your help, I will let you know what the prob is when I find out.

 

Well that was really helpful......

Did he even realise the motor was in the back?

 

Did he know which end was the back?

 

I don't think he's ever seen a kombi before .... Only about 2-3 in the small town I live in.

 

2-3 should have resulted in enough breakdowns for him to familarise ?
maybe hes just a real slow learner
or none of the kombis are on road

 

NRMA
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