Non start

Could be the dizzy is worn out. I had the same problem years ago with a Commer, it would only start with a tow and then run fine but would not start on the turn of the key, changed the dizzy and problem solved, I think it was caused by worn springs or weights on the advance mechanism which should`nt have stopped it starting but it did! It could also be a break in the HT circuit wire to the dizzy from the coil or from the ignition to the coil, it would be worth running a wire direct from the battery to the coil and seeing if it starts and if not then run a wire from the coil to the dizzy. I doubt very much its going to be a major problem, it just needs going through logically. Good luck.
 
Evening all. Apparently the garage changed the plugs, although they are brand new, but wet with petrol, and it started. They drove it up the road to test the brakes, stalled it coming back in, and it will not restart. I'll go up there tomorrow and suggest Beach boy's theory, as it will always start on a very short tow. At the moment it's pushed into the yard round the back cos they've got too much work on to carry on with it.I may have to fetch it home as is.
 
We now have a new MOT!! But----it still will not start when hot. Leave it for an hour or so, and it fires instantly, but after running for ten minutes, it will not restart.Apparently the garage have a scrap Commer luton, so he's going to take the dizzy out of that and try it in mine.
This is now getting so silly its embarrassing!
 
This could relate to the common problem of fuel evaporation. I have got into the habit of either opening the lid or turning on the electric fan, if I have to stop for a short time during a run, i.e. petrol station.
 
Martin, having had Commers in the distant past, this was my first thought, but on removing the plugs on a no-go, they are always wet,and removing the pipe to the carb always sprays with petrol.
The symptoms, however, do point to fuel shortage, but it seems to be lack of spark when hot.
Hey ho, once more into the breech........
 
Me thinks you need to have a chat with Dozer.[^][^] He is the expert on these matters. He sorted out Skye and she runs like a dream. Passed her MOT no probs and she is Commering on wonderfully!!!!:D:D:D

"Debs&Skye"
 
Sorry to hear you are still having troubles - hang on in there. The first few months I had Bessie I had some starting troubles - including one aborted MOT because she wouldn't start on the ramps mid test and the inspector had turned up that afternoon. Normally nice garage would have had a quick look and got her going for me but inspector man insisted she was pushed outside and unceremoniously left on the pavement with oily hand prints on her nose[V]

My troubles mostly turned out to be combination of old bits that hadn't been used for a while (she had been stood a few months before I bought her) - coil, plugs, fuel pumps etc. If it's any consolation she is playing up at the moment and doesn't like to tick over - it can be pretty wearing at times when you're stuck holding traffic up waving apologies but I've had more than enough good times with her now to keep with it and hope you get some happy motoring in soon:)

One thing Bessie is prone to starting wise is flooding - even a hint of choke or a blip of the throttle before starting will result in that familiar starter motor whine rather than the magic purr of engine noise - you mention your plugs are wet when you check them - could they be a little too wet?[?]

Bessie - four star commerdation
 
All these things have been checked or replaced, but so far no good.The bit I cannot understand is that it will always start on a push, as little as one revolution of the wheels is enough, so why will it not start on the key? It points to an electrical problem that only occurs when hot, but just what it is eludes me a t the moment.
I can't arouse any enthusiasm to get on with the painting until I can sort this. I'll fetch it home tomorrow and start all over again.
 
Have you tried starting it by shorting the terminals across the starter solenoid. I remember having problems similar and it turned out to be a bad connection on the starter button. The connection eventually broke completely in the MOT station (I had trouble in there as well).

'Harvey the RV'
 
But I agree with Panky- the usual reason why it will start on a push or tow but on not the starter is a ballast/solenoid issue. What happens is the starter is taking all the current leaving none to supply the coil & plugs. All power to starter and nothing left for a spark. If the starter isnt taking any juice as its being push started then the plugs will spark and off you go.

I imagine this is more likely to happen hot than cold as electrical appliances are more likely to malfunction hot than cold when they are borderline operational.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Jules

RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
 
My thoughts too, Jules, but what to look for? I've replaced all the ignition parts with no improvment.The coil I fitted is a standard non-ballast one, on Commeracer's advice.Is this the correct one ( sorry to doubt you commeracer, but I'm getting a bit desparate now).I've just brought it back from the garage as they're too busy to keep it there(its only a small place). It drove well, stopped in my yard, and it wouldn't restart. Tried it after lunch (about an hour) and it fired instantly. What do I try next? Up the mountain with a gallon of petrol sounds good.
 
I would get out a multimeter and check the current to the condenser in the low tension cable when she's running. (In fact did I recall you changed the condenser/rotor arm/dizzy cap/leads with the correct ones?)

Then check it all again when you try to start her hot on the starter motor. The readings shouldn't be too far different but I'd bet it probably is. There's fuel going in but not enough spark to fire it up when the starter's spinning, so I would guess this has much to do with the problem. You might need to drop the starter off, lubricate it and replace the brushes. You may find the bearings are shot and you need a replacement. Also check all the ignition wiring and earths with the multimeter. A mind-sapping yet logical job, but I reckon that is where the fault will lie.

Bon chance!

Do NOT torch your van, frustrating as it might be, the problem's starring you in the face if you could only see it!
 
oh dear [xx(] it will be something silly, you just have to go through the logical process of trying/checking everything. would be worth running it up in the dark until its hot and then trying a hot start while looking over the electrics for shorts this can be very revealing. have you replaced the rotor arm and dizzy cap[?] also try by-passing the ignition switch. another possibility is the exhaust valves/seats are bad, try a compression test on all cylinders both hot and cold. good luck :)

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off no.3"
 
The Bl**dy thing has started and run fine every time today!! It's just so frustrating!!!
Anyway, now I might just get on with its cosmetics.
 
It must be a bad connection somewhere, you could have made it good when you when round checking everything was tight.

'Harvey the RV'
 
if it doesn't have a name already have you considered calling your van 'Marmite' as it sounds like a love it/hate it relationship;)

good luck - hope you've got it sussed now, PLLLEEEAAASSEEE don't burn it - if the worst comes to the worst they make great sheds:D (and think of the price of a gallon of petrol[:0])
Bessie - four star commerdation
 
I'm not really going to burn it, cos Herself likes it. She's about to start working inside it soon, cleaning and painting, then no doubt she'll add all the little knick-knacks that drive me mad in the proper caravan. The caravan is twice as big as the Commer, so the knick-knacks will probably drive me twice as mad!!
 
Good afternoon's Commering today, and nothing really went wrong!:D His cab is now ready for painting, so we're fighting about the colour.I fancy something less boring than white, Herself says it has to stay white. Better go and buy the white paint, then,eh? Still nothing done inside, mind, she's messing about ironing instead of doing important stuff!
Btw, she has decided that he is called Burnie, cos he came from Burnham-on-sea.Both my other Commers were called the Shed, but this one, says madam, has more class.
 
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