Why won't my transit van start?

Poor chassis earth from engine to body and possibly to the battery could be the problem. Remove all negative 'black' earth wires from the battery and clean them up, not just on the battery side but on the body end. There should also be a link to the engine block, I seem to remember its a heavy wire (Or braid strap) bolted under a bolt on the engine to gearbox flange. Top tip.... Crank the engine with the headlamps on, if the lights stay on and bright its a poor engine earth. If the lamps dim to a glimmer, suspect the battery!

Good Luck Steve.

Steve Ball
November 2006

Sounds like a bad earth connection,your battery cons are tight you have just refitted it,is the earth lead Clean and secure at the other end.There may also be an earth strap from engine to chassis,make sure connection in clean metal to metal and tight,check all leads that go to the chassis i.e solenoid.Good luck.

Rich
November 2006