Why won't my Dad's van start in the morning?

Question

It's a fine van! It's a transit, by Ford - getting on a bit but only just out of the spring chicken phase. Anyway, basic situation is that it won't start first thing in the morning - like at 6am. It will start a few hours later alright - and at night. It's battery has been charged up to make sure that isn't the problem. Could anyone give me any idea why it won't start and what I could do to help it start?

Oh, don't know if it make any diference, but its usually about 0 to -5 C and its kept outside in the yard.

Sorry, should have thought to mention, its a diesel van it runs fine once it actually gets going - I believe that the starter moter makes a noise but doesn't actually kick the engine in - I don' tknow much about vans so I hope this makes sense.

Thanks for your ehlp eveyone!

Oh and it has an automatic choke I assume - there's no sign of a manual one I'm aware of

Sorry again everyone, I've acquired some more information. It's not the battery, its been checked. It's fuel injected or something - and the mechanic says that there's nothing wrong with it that he can tell. My Dad particularly liked your answer Floridaman39! THanks.

Answer 1

Petrol or Diesel?????????????

ADDED*** The main starting aid for a cold diesel engine are the GLOW plugs (NOT CORE plugs as someone has said!) Get these checked and replaced if necessary. They have limited life of perhaps 5-6 years, depending on how often the engine is started daily. You will have four at about 4-5 pounds each.

Answer 2

If its petrol could be damp ignition and/or doggy auto choke.
If it diesel it and the battery is defiantly ok then its probably the heater/glow plugs to check disconnect the wiring from all of the glow plugs (1 per cylinder usually secured by a nut) then get a multimeter or a test lamp connect to the +terminal on the battery then to the connector/screw thread on the back of each glow plug if the light comes on bright the plug is ok (or shows battery voltage) if the lamp does not light or is dull then the glow plug needs replacing.

Answer 3

if the battery wont turn the engine over it's either u/s or not the correct ampere hour ie h duty get it checked at lucas. your description of none starting indicates either heater plugs or their control unit is u/s to test use battery jumper lead from battery + to heater plug rail for 30 seconds then remove getting assistant to start van if sucessful replace control unit if not replace glowplugs

Answer 4

I presume he has sprayed engine with damp start in case it's that. It sounds like the choke...is it an automatic choke? I think that'll be the cause. You need more choke when it's cold so that would help to explain why it's so bad 1st thing.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have damp ignition system, thats if its petrol, get a hair dryer and heat up all leads and distributor cap , dont forget to do both inside and outside the cap, it then should start ok. Jimmy Essex England UK Scottish guy

Answer 6

sounds like the core plug needs replacing.when the key is turned a yellow light should come on,wait for that to go out then try and start the engine.

Answer 7

could be the automatic choke not working, I had the same trouble with mine

just checked back, if its a diesel there would be no choke but could be the glow plug instead

Answer 8

It could be a lot of things ,timing ,battery,plugs ,choke. is the van petrol ,diesel. sorry but we need more information to be able to help you.

Answer 9

The van is old and cranky in the mornings, especially on cold winter mornngs. It will crank right up in the summertime. Keep hanging in there.

Answer 10

You have to get both batteries onto a battery charger. The more you use yours and the more your dad runs with a dead battery, you are doing damage to both alternators. They are NOT battery chargers.