Van won’t start? Seven checks before you call for recovery

A van that won’t start costs you a day’s work, so it’s worth five minutes of checks before you call anyone. Work through these in order. They solve or explain most non-starting vans, and if they don’t, you’ll be able to tell recovery exactly what’s happening.

1. Listen to what happens when you turn the key

What you hear is the best clue:

• Rapid clicking, or a single click: almost always a flat or weak battery.
• The engine turns over normally but won’t fire: a fuel, AdBlue or immobiliser problem is more likely than the battery.
• Nothing at all, and no dashboard lights: a completely flat battery, a loose battery terminal or a dead key fob.

Don’t crank the engine for more than about ten seconds at a time. Long attempts flatten the battery and can damage the starter motor.

2. Check the battery

Vans are hard on batteries. Tail lifts, fridge units, inverters and lights left on in the back can all drain a battery overnight. Dim or flickering dashboard lights point to the battery, and so does a battery that’s more than about five years old or a cold snap. A jump start will usually get you going.

3. Check the key fob and immobiliser

If the immobiliser light keeps flashing or the dashboard says the key isn’t detected, the fob’s battery may be flat. Try the spare key. On push-button vans, holding the fob right against the start button often works even with a flat fob battery: check your handbook for the exact spot.

4. Check the AdBlue

Most diesel vans built since about 2016 use AdBlue. When the tank runs dry, the van is designed not to restart once you switch it off. If you’ve had AdBlue warnings, top it up with enough to clear the warning. Your handbook gives the minimum amount, and some vans need the ignition switched on for a minute or two before they’ll start.

5. Check the fuel

Fuel gauges do fail, especially when a van has been parked on a slope. If there’s any chance you’ve run out, add some fuel. A diesel that has run completely dry may need its fuel system priming before it will start.

If you’ve put in the wrong fuel, don’t start the engine. Leave it switched off and call for help. Running the engine spreads the wrong fuel through the system and turns a fuel drain into an expensive repair.

6. Check the gear lever and clutch

Automatics need to be in Park or Neutral to start. Manual vans usually need the clutch pressed all the way to the floor. A worn clutch switch or a mat caught under the pedal can stop the van starting.

7. Look for warning lights and smells

If the van stopped on its own, look for an engine temperature, oil pressure or engine management warning, or a smell of burning or coolant. These mean something is wrong beyond a flat battery, so don’t keep trying to restart it.

When to call for recovery

Call us if:

• A jump start doesn’t work, or the van dies again soon afterwards
• The engine turns over but won’t fire after you’ve checked fuel and AdBlue
• You’ve put in the wrong fuel
• There are warning lights, smoke, leaks or burning smells
• You’re somewhere unsafe to keep trying

Tell us what you’ve already checked. We’ll bring the right kit, and if it can’t be fixed at the roadside, we’ll recover the van, with its load, to a garage, your depot or home.