Looking at a 1993 Eurovan CL and it won't start!

[Guymon33]

Hello and thank you for your time trying to help me figure out if I should buy this van. Here is the back story. My neighbor is a tow truck driver and build up a sweet Mercedes sprinter. I told him it's always been a dream of mine to convert a van into a camper. He picked up a impounded 1993 Eurovan for no insurance. I went to the impound lot to take a look at the van. It is in decent shape with a little bit of rust. I got in to started up, and the ignition lit up. But the engine didn't even try to turn over. I don't even know where to begin looking for problems. Has anyone ran into this problem, or know a solution to what it could be? Thank you guys I can always rely on you for help!!

I will also send a link of a YouTube video of me trying to start it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QF-8YNdBKmY
Thanks, Tyler

[Jooknon]

My initial thought would be either the battery is too dead to turn it over, or the starter is shot.
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Ben

93 MV Weekender

[Guymon33]

I'm with the van right now. When I started jumping it the wipers turned on. So hopefully the battery was just dead

[Guymon33]

Update... it was not the battery. Is it worth buying a new starter to see if it starts? I am buying it from the junk yard for $250. Worst case senario I sell it for what I got it for or more. Let me know your thioughts.

[Abscate]

Try a push start perhaps?
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[Jooknon]

Sorry, dont know enough to tell you if its worth it or of value.
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Ben

93 MV Weekender

[gakali]

For $250 I don't see how you can lose. It's probably worth that in scrap value but I'm sure you could get more as a complete van in decent shape, even not running.

You need to check for power and a crank signal at the starter and go from there.

Congrats on your find and Good luck!
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Why do it? Because you can.

1999 Eurovan
2003 A4 Avant 1.8T Quattro
1992 W201 190e 2.3 Mercedes
2006 W220 S600 V12 Twin Turbo 5.5 Mercedes

[Joshwa]

My initial thought is the electric part of the ignition switch or coil. I would try these to try and narrow it down.

Turn key to on

Jumper from (charged up)battery positive to the starter relay on the starter. Should tell you the working state of the starter. If it doesn't spin, check the heavy power cable from the battery to the starter for breaks. No breaks, the a starter problem...initially.

If the van starts when using the jumper, there is a problem with the electric part of the ignition switch. Inexpensive to change out. If it doesn't start, could be the cool I'd dead.
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93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
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