Oil pressure light half on after ingnition off? +won't start

[myfanwy]

Hi all,

I haven't posted before but would like to say hi and what a great site! I have a 1983 1.9 watercooled high top camper.

We have had her a year and are now very versed on the ongoing level of care and attention that these lovely vehicles require!

The main issues that we've had I'm sure stem from electrical problems. We have just had the coil, plugs and leads replaced due to bad running (we think pinned ht leads with non pinned coil) but whilst in the garage, the replacement coil failed. They fitted a new one and again, all seems well until tonight. Took her out on a good run, all fine until parking up and switched off. I noticed the oil pressure light was left half on after the ignition was off and key removed. I now can't turn over the engine to start her. The battery is showing 12v and is all connected fine. The dash lights up as it should. Do you think our new coil could have failed again? And if so, what could be behind it?

I really hope there may be some hope out there to keep her running!

Any replies most welcome...

[Mocki]

hi and welcome

the coil failing won stop it turning over, so you have more than one issue if the coil is faulty......

firstly, if the key is out and the ignition lights are still on, you have a failed switch, relay or solenoid i think.....

when you put the key in , after this occured does everything llok normal, ie oil and battery light on, ect?

first thing i would check is the ignition switch, by unplugging it whilst this glowing thing is happening, and seeing what occures..........

second place id be looking would be the starter solenoid i think.....

[tonytech]

Does the oil light flash?
what happens when you turn the key?
does the fan switch off as you get to the start position?
does the starter click? try to turn over? do the lights dim?

I cant see the coil failing causing these problems.
I'd be checking the earth straps to the engine and gearbox.
I'm thinking that current cant return to the battery via the chassis and is trying to earth through the oil light circuit.

T

[tonytech]

Bugger that M0ki, typing too bl***y fast.

[dugcati]

first thing i would check is the ignition switch, by unplugging it whilst this glowing thing is happening, and seeing what occures..........

second place id be looking would be the starter solenoid i think.....

Wise words from the Mocki there ....I would have these too

[myfanwy]

Hi all,

Thanks very much for your replies. I'm gonna have a better look at her tomorrow. Basically when I try the ignition everything does what it should. The starter tries to turn over and all the lights on dash are lit up. When I first tried it, the starter was slowly turning but not catching and then on the second attempt it wouldn't turn at all, like with a flat battery. I will try to have a look for the ignition switch to test when the glowing is happening- is this in the dash pod? Also, the earthing idea, the van has always sounded like its struggling to start, even with a new battery and starter. How do I test the earthing problems suggested?
I'll have a look in the Haynes but any advice welcomed here...
Basically the poor girl seems to have a problem every couple of weeks, in the garage and then out again and within a couple of drives the next problem. I've tried to service her the best I can and we've replaced so many parts. Does it ever get to a point where they get slightly more reliable? Thanks again....

[tonytech]

You cant really test the earths, remember there will be a very high current flowing, so even a small resistance will make trouble.
Check the leads at the battery as well, and the connection to the Starter motor.

Are you sure it is the oil light and not the Alternator light?

Just clean them up and make sure the bolts are nice and tight,
T

[myfanwy]

Hi again,

I've managed to have a go at cleaning and checking things on the van. The battery connections are all fine. I can't seem to find the starter or solenoid without axel stands and working in the road..so haven't managed to check connections here. The starter is turning though but when I start it I can't here a separate click for the solenoid.

I can't find in the Haynes where the ignition switch is to test either...

Something interesting is happening though, I reconnected the battery and noticed when I'm putting on the negative side there is a clicking noise. I'm guessing this is the solenoid?? But without the key in or ignition on??

Also the oil pressure light now only flashes once dimly and then goes off when I connect the battery instead of staying on dimly. Again with ignition off.

I have also just managed to start the van and the dash shows the oil pressure light fully and the water temp light flashing but no battery light. Should this usually be there until started? I had a little drive and when I switched off, I checked the battery again. Its now showing 11.64 or so and then slowly increases again after disconnected. I am concerned that if I leave the battery connected its being drained by the solenoid? The only other thing that I'm wondering is if the alternator isn't keeping things charged? (vee belt ok and connections seem to be in place at alternator)

I appriciate I need to check switches and relays but I am concerned that charge is flowing without the ignition on and also I'm not sure how to find/check the correct switches.

Again, any help for a beginner is always welcome!

Cheers....

[Mocki]

back to basics here i think.
1. Battery drain
the first thing i would do is take the battery off, and charge it with a mains charger, then check the voltage, then leave it 24hrs and check the voltage again........
be sure the battery is good

once you have done this, get a bulb, and bit of wire, and disconnect the neg connection, insert the bulb inbetween the neg of the battery and the neg of the van, and see whats leaking.
the brighter the bulb lights the bigger the drain....... pull the fuses one by one till it stops glowing....... if you have all the fuses out and its still glowing, disconnect the alternator, and so on, disconnecting everything till you find whats causing it...

2. Starting
Once the battery is fully charged, see how it starts, it should wizz over with a fully charged battery....
If there is a delay when you turn the key before the starter starts to turn, its either the solenoid on the starter motor, or the key switch.
The signal wire from the key switch to the starter is known to corrode on the spade connection at the starter, give it a good clean and or replace spade terminal. THe signal wire also rots internally with the salt and road crud going in the end at the starter end, so amybe run a new temp feed from the ignition switch to the starter alongside to proove the point

my money is on the alternator for drainage, and low battery voltage for the starting , caused by the drainage, on what you have described so far
_________________

[HarryMann]

Steve,

What sort of internal alternator fault creates a discharge path? Would this be the field winding energising circuit leaking back to earth??

If so, any idea roughly what resistance those windings should read?

[VWCamperfan]

The energising circuit is usually only activated from the ignition switch when ignition is turned on but a drain on the battery through the alternator can be caused by a blown or faulty diode in the rectifier circuit.

Ps... Sorry I'm not Steve but thought it may help!

[HarryMann]

Thanks CamperVanFan.. thats what I wanted to know, but if alt is charging OK, unlikely a diode pack fault??

[myfanwy]

Thanks guys,

Will investigate further and let you know...