Not even a click to start

craig.evans

New member
Baby, it's cold outside!
Temperature here today is about -10C. My 2008 has a good battery, but even with a boost, I'm only getting the dashboard lights on - not even a click from the starter. Does this seem odd?
 

dling13

Member
Same issue. VS30, had it towed to the shop we’re it sat for 3 days. Warmed up to 10 degrees and the shop said they couldn’t reproduce it and said it just needed gas? Figured it was fine. Took it home ran great and then -3 this morning with nothing.... have tried jumping it and reassociating key fob without success. Stranded again.
 

showkey

Well-known member
Long history of intermittent click no crank with multiple causes:

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58993


Little surprised on a 2008 they did not mention a starter and Y cable ? But that would be guess if it can’t be reproduced.

Below 0* adds another layer to the problem and obviously root cause.

The link covers the troubleshooting likes battery, cables +/- connections clean, engine ground wire clean and tight, ground connection by the throttle pedal, transmission P/N switch etc
Some basic troubleshooting is determining if the crank signal is being sent to the starter solenoid signal wire.
Monitoring that voltage witha volt meter or test light confirms a lot of information like neutral safety switch, key confirmation, starter relay, ECU crank signal.
 
Last edited:

craig.evans

New member
Long history of intermittent click no crank with multiple causes:

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58993


Little surprised on a 2008 they did not mention a starter and Y cable ? But that would be guess if it can’t be reproduced.

Below 0* adds another layer to the problem and obviously root cause.

The link covers the troubleshooting likes battery, cables +/- connections clean, engine ground wire clean and tight, ground connection by the throttle pedal, transmission P/N switch etc
Some basic troubleshooting is determining if the crank signal is being sent to the starter solenoid signal wire.
Monitoring that voltage witha volt meter or test light confirms a lot of information like neutral safety switch, key confirmation, starter relay, ECU crank signal.

Thanks for the tips, Showkey. Once the temperature climbs to close to freezing, I'll dive in for a closer look!
 

showkey

Well-known member
Any modern vehicle should crank over in all “cold” weather Situations ........diesels have more of reason not to start in severe cold.......fueling issues causing no start.

Intermittent no crank.......there’s Still a real problem or concern. Finding and isolating the problem is the challenge.

Many have reported in multiple threads intermittent no crank occurred over a long period of time.
 
Last edited:

Top Bottom