Starter motor - in french... demarreur

http://www.oscaro.com/redactionnel/demarreur/demarreur.asp

http://fr.spikiz.com/redir?rd=s&z=c&w=BA42AD5054DF8786&o=4B90386F19CC5782CD44015C217C50D4949CAF14F4B10FD9BE577B715935EA9CF8D685EBD70570569FD16AB8E3A17DA04974EF79166E242424275AAB6903EC96D4DBEC3517A39DB6&rq=65C27FCB607491F86B18C6B630B56ED2C26F2B093509595B5ADA7136AFDEE667

Courroie de distribution - in french

http://fr.spikiz.com/redir?rd=s&z=c&w=BA42AD5054DF8786&o=4B90386F19CC5782CD44015C217C50D4949CAF14F4B10FD9BE577B715935EA9CF8D685EBD70570569FD16AB8E3A17DA04974EF79166E24242AD732F151E84616D4DBEC3517A39DB6&rq=65C27FCB607491F86B18C6B630B56ED2C26F2B093509595B5ADA7136AFDEE667

Tools for mechanic

I have virtually no tools but it'd definitely help to have the right ones when I need them.
So there are some good infos here to read up:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t956697-basic_auto_mechanic_tools.html

"For a beginner, doing basic work, I will cheat and suggest an entire tool kit or kits. Some decent retailers will sell a 200-300 piece tool set for a very decent price.
Typically these sets include a full set of standard and metric sockets (in both deep and shallow), from 4mm (or very small) all the way to 24 mm. In standard, 1/4 inch all the way to 1 1/4 is good. Also, 1/4, 3/8 1nd 1/2 inch drives are required, with corresponding short, medium and long extensions and swivel joints for each drive size. Allen and Torx sockets for the larger sizes are handy.

Add a set of quality slot, phillips (3 sizes for each) and Torx screwdrivers and a set of both metric and standard Allen wrenches. Additionally, both big and small examples of vice grips, slip-joint pliers, linesman's pliers, waterpump (Channel-Lock) pliers, side cutters, ball-peen hammers, wire brushes, pry bars, cold chisels, pin punches, flat punches, mill files, and adjustable (Crescent) wrenches.

A full set of standard and metric combination wrenches is good to have;

Other items include marker pens, tie wraps (various sizes) electrical tape, masking tape, wire stripper/crimper, C-clamps, sharp knife, worklight, floor jack and jackstands, strap and cup-style oil filter wrenches, grease gun, test light, multimeter, feeler gauge, tire pressure gauge, timing light, jumper cable, siphon hose, assorted funnels, drain pan

Imho all these tools are essential, even if you do not think you need them right away. Assembling a kit like this is not particularly expensive, either. There are many decent quality, affordable tools out there, far more than there was 20-25 years ago.

Cheap (often China or India sourced) tools have flooded the market. Some are okay, especially for light-duty work. Some simply are fakes.
I would stick to tools sold by major chain retailers, especially ones with a lifetime replacement warranty. I have found that Sears sells affordable yet excellent tools.

I have bought some very good tools with odd, unknown brand names, at auto swap meets. I have also bought absolute crap from similar sources, so just be careful."

http://www.automedia.com/10_Best_Car_Care_Tools/ccr20110101ct/1

Running on veg oil

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=564408&page=1

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/green-motoring/2746598/Whats-in-your-tank.html

Ramps to work under

http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/mwramps/index.htm

 

http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/13955-best-way-work-under-car.html

Posts on timing belt and DW8 engines... and french peugeot forums

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37943

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16571

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=215230

 http://www.tooled-up.com/artwork/ProdPDF/SEAINSvs4822.pdf

voltage regulator and usb gadget charger circuit

Pilot 2003 diesel - Start problem - click noise at ignition

A new episode in the van refusing to start.

After the glow plugs hypothesis this winter.

When I turn the ignition on, nothing happens else than a click noise (followed by a kind of spring resonating noise)

the battery is charged (I did it with a charger and my friend helped me try to start by connecting his running van engine)

I noticed a loud hissing noise the last time I used the van (louder than usual at the start)
This day was really hot (hottest day of the year in UK)
Next days was heavy rain (my Pilot doesn't like rain - it sometimes refuses to start when it s too wet but usually is fine once dried up)
2 or 3 days later the van wouldn t start.

***
So I checked the Earth today with a lead cable from negative to engine. It didn't start. Meaning it's not the Earth if I understood correctly.
I also found this video online, it's a very clear explanation about starter motor troubleshooting.
 That can be handy too from good ol' Star Scotty Kilmer:
That's a potential solution:

Hows is the starter wired up to the ignition?
There is a solenoid on the top of the motor. This is wired to the Start position on the key (thin wire with spade type connector). When the solenoid is energised, this not only brings the motor pinion into mesh with the ring gear on the flywheel but also connects the motor's windings direct to the battery via the thick cable fixed to the motor with a nut. The battery supplies suffucient "kick" to start the engine then, when the key is released, the solenoid is de-energised, the pinion retracts and the motor windings are disconnected from the battery until you next need to start. ******

This is a LDV Pilot 1.9D (1996-2005) starter motor manufactured by Universal Rotating Electrics. A modern starter motor works when current from the battery is applied to the solenoid, when you turn the ignition key. This then pushes out the drive pinion to mesh with the flywheel ring gear and thereby turn the engine.

***

I cleaned up the earth of my battery and I tapped lightly on the starter motor with a hammer on a stick. The van started up! I ran the engine, went around, everything was working fine. Left it parked one night. It rained the next day and at night I started it up to go to the petrol station. Once there the starter got stuck again. Tapping did nothing. I had to push the van to start the engine. Lucky me someone helped out. Now i am looking into that: