Help pls! non-starting auto diesel

['89 250TD]

Having driven about 60 miles yesterday, we stopped for a while and then found the car wouldn't start - ignition & glow plug lights came on as usual but there's no 'click' or anything when key is turned to the usual starting position (I can't remember if there ever was a 'click' anyway).

It's a 1989 250TD.
It does start by shorting some wires to the solenoid/starter as shown by a helpful mechanic but as this entails removing airbox etc it's not ideal!
Other posts on the site seem to point to ignition switch, neutral safety switch or solenoid - how to I work out which it's likely to be?

Mark

 

[shrekky]

If you're shorting wires out somewhere............chances are you are by-passing the heater plug relay............coz if he shorted it out and it started ,means glow plugs are ok.............might be an idea to have the relay checked 1st ;-)

 

[tom7035]

It sounds like your mechie bypassed the solenoid switch to operate the starter, indicating that this is where your fault lies.

 

[Keith]

or battery

starter solenoid sounds likely I would agree but also I have had a battery failure that seemed similar. The diesels take huge amps to turn them so when I had a weak battery it went from starting to no movement at all, it just died. Have you tried a jump start from a recovery vehicle (normal jump leads melt with the high current needed so I found out but recovery vehichles have better ones).

Keith

 

[tom7035]

Yes Keith, but you I think would still get the 'click' as the current charged the solenoid, even though there may not have been enough guts in the battery to actually turn the starter. Mark isn't even getting the 'click'.

 

[Keith]

to click or not to click

it was a couple of years ago when I last had it happen , cant remember if there was a click , think there was so you are probably right.

K

 

['89 250TD]

head under bonnet

Thanks for the pointers & apologies for not getting back . . . too much head under bonnet quality time.

Seems that it was either/both ignition switch & neutral safety switch.
I've replaced the ignition switch after it seized up & cleaned up the contacts of the neutral safety switch connector - probably only a matter of time before it goes again. Any ideas for permanent solution apart from new switch & new connector?

Regards, Mark