1982 Westy JX TurboDiesel No Start Troubleshooting

[captainpartytime]

Original Symptoms: Turn key and glow plug indicator light stopped illuminating. Seemed like the glow plugs were also not firing as engine took 5-10 seconds of cranking before started up (usually fires right up with glow plug light on for 5 seconds). 2nd day of symptoms engine stopped cranking over, just heard audible click and then nothing.

Solution#1: Replaced ignition switch and got glow plug light to illuminate on dash board again but still no cranking of engine (just audible click)

Solution #2: Pulled ignition switch wiring pig tail and jumped wires. Still get audible click from engine bay but no crank.

Solution #3: Checked both glow plug relay and what I think is the starter relay and both make clicking sound when power applied and continuity between pin 30 and 87. Assume relays are still good. Cleaned terminals on battery and terminals from starter cable "+" to starter. Also cleaned ground strap from battery to back of alternator mounting bolt. Haven't cleaned ground strap from transmission to body YET (visual inspection initial checked out). Used voltmeter and got 12V from "+" terminal on starter solenoid to ground. Battery is new and measured 13.8V with multimeter.

Symptoms after above work: Glow plug indicator lights on dash but no crank from starter when key is turned (only audible click from engine bay).

**This same issue happened once before (about 6 months ago) and I replaced the starter with new bosch starter. Still couldn't get engine to fire so I replaced the ignition switch which fixed the problem...until yesterday

What do you suggest would be my next step in the troubleshooting chain?
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-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

[zuhandenheit]

Two thoughts: ONE, get someone else to turn the key and listen at engine compartment. Is the clicking coming from the starter solenoid? If so it's either a bad solenoid or low voltage / bad ground. TWO: If starter solenoid is not clicking, try jumping from battery to starter directly. (ofc be SURE van is not in gear, etc)

[captainpartytime]

Thank you! I will try that when I get home...
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-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

[captainpartytime]

Tried thought ONE and it seems like the clicking is coming from the glow plug relay when turning key to start and then the starter relay clicks when the key is released from start. It doesn't appear that the click is coming from the starter solenoid. Will test thought TWO tomorrow.
_________________
-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia