horsebox - can anyone help?

kazg07

kazg07

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Looking for advice from anyone who knows anything about mechanics, as i do not have a clue!
My horsebox has had an underlying issue for a while as when you put key in ignition and turn it nothing happens. Has been doing this for couple of months. However, if i fiddle about with it - put it in and out a few times it normally will start. Sadly today this did not work and nothing happened : (
Does anyone have any idea what this is? I thought it was a starter problem but friend thinks its the battery. I thought it wouldnt start at all on the previos occassions if it was battery. Also how do i check if my lorry has isolator switch? Would these be on ones in living? Is it these that are used to power lorry to start?

Sorry for all the questions but i clearly have no idea lol
 
Exactly what i intend to do but they cannot look at it until monday and just thought someone may be able to advise as to what the problem may be !
 
before today when you turned the key what did you get/hear?

If nothing at all, then messing with key it started fine sounds more like a wiring problem to the ignition which shouldn't be too expensive

If it tried to start and failed could be battery or starter motor. When my SM went I used to just get a 'click' if the battery was dead I got nothing at all.

Test the lights if they are bright enough then it is not the battery
 
Up until now if i put key in and turned it it didnt turn over at all but if took key out and put it in again a couple times it would eventually go no bother. Hence why i thought something was maybe loose? Lights on dash etc working and i would tend to think something somewhere was perhaps loose. Just was meant to be jumping this weekend and doesnt look like i will get now ! : ( So long as its nothing too serious. Will check the lights etc tomorrow. Thanks for that.
 
Long shot (and I admit I am a bit obsessed with this fault) but check you don't have a loose earth lead (from the battery to the body of the vehicle or possibly to the engine block).
 
Is that from the battery in the living? Dont know where the other one is ? I will mention this to my dad and see if he knows where to look! Thanks
 
My understanding of an isolator switch is one which stops the power from the battery getting to the starter/engine as a security measure and to stop battery being drained of power by lights etc when the engine isn't running.

The lorrys I've had have had the switches in different places, I remember one was near the battery on the underside of the chassis. A mechanic should be able to tell you if you've got one or not.

I would second checking the earth lead as have miraculously 'mended' a lorry by wiggling the earth lead.
 
As this is a fault that only occurs when you attempt to start the vehicle it may well be the starter motor solenoid/relay which is faulty or alternatively the ignition switch or the wiring. If it was the earth then it would probably cut out while you where driving it.
 
Hi

Lorry is a 2000 reg ford iveco. Am getting sick of it now! It has in the last couple of weeks been to 2 different garages and no one can find anything wrong with it! Has been at a garage since middle of last week and started everytime fine. Had everything checked and no one seems to know. Went to collect it today and guess what wouldnt start : ( Got it going eventually and is now booked in to an auto electrician on monday who i am hoping will shed some light. Mechanic today thought it was some sort of battery related issue but i think it is something to do with the ignition switch. Hence why it starts perfect most of the time!
 
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