if you hant got one already..get one of these...http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37279" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
they are invaluable and you dont just need it for your van..any electrical equipment can be diagnosed.
also.does your light on the dash go out after 10 secs or so...if not then it might be a relay sticking on and leaving the power on continuous...im not expert here though.i was thinking like oldiebut goodie that a glow plug may have shorted...is this likely anyone?
and dont be dismayed...this is only a minor problem mate
the word 'pissing' is safe
Dave and gail.....1983 Pop Top 1.9n/a diesel (aka Ready Steady Eddie)
Oldiebut goodie wrote:It may be worth removing the wire from the first plug to see if it is one of the plugs that is causing the short when you get some more fuses, if it still blows you know that the short is in the wiring between the fuse and glow plugs. I bet gsf fuses were a lot more expensive than the ebay ones.(maybe you should have bought 20 not ten!!!!)
Got a mate to get me some more 50 Amp strip fuses from GSF on his way home. He turned up with all 5 that they had in stock which came to the "grand" total of £1.73 I moved the wiring out from the black box and cleaned the wires and connectors up. Put the first one in and this time it sparked and burnt out without even turning the ignition on. Never did that before . Going to the monthly Herts VW Club meet tonight to see if someone knows a good travelling auto electrician.
Oldiebut goodie wrote:It may be worth removing the wire from the first plug to see if it is one of the plugs that is causing the short when you get some more fuses, if it still blows you know that the short is in the wiring between the fuse and glow plugs. I bet gsf fuses were a lot more expensive than the ebay ones.(maybe you should have bought 20 not ten!!!!)
Got a mate to get me some more 50 Amp strip fuses from GSF on his way home. He turned up with all 5 that they had in stock which came to the "grand" total of £1.73 I moved the wiring out from the black box and cleaned the wires and connectors up. Put the first one in and this time it sparked and burnt out without even turning the ignition on. Never did that before . Going to the monthly Herts VW Club meet tonight to see if someone knows a good travelling auto electrician.
Would a burnt out/shorting ignition barrel be causing this? Someone at the Herts VW meet last night thinks this could be the problem. Got an auto electrician booked anyway now as I still have the short circuit on the o/s side lights. He may as well sort the lot out for me. Thanks everyone for your efforts
Oldiebut goodie wrote:It may be worth removing the wire from the first plug to see if it is one of the plugs that is causing the short when you get some more fuses, if it still blows you know that the short is in the wiring between the fuse and glow plugs. I bet gsf fuses were a lot more expensive than the ebay ones.(maybe you should have bought 20 not ten!!!!)
Apologies mate. Never knew what you meant at first but now I know. Will try this. You are of course trying to instruct a complete mechanical numpty
Electrical fault now found and my van is rolling again It was the glow plug relay that was causing the 50 amp strip fuse to fry. Bought a new glow plug relay from GSF and everything is now fine
Many thanks to Oldiebut goodie and weldore for their help
I moved the wiring out from the black box and cleaned the wires and connectors up. Put the first one in and this time it sparked and burnt out without even turning the ignition on. Never did that before 
. Going to the monthly Herts VW Club meet tonight to see if someone knows a good travelling auto electrician.
Someone at the Herts VW meet last night thinks this could be the problem. Got an auto electrician booked anyway now as I still have the short circuit on the o/s side lights. He may as well sort the lot out for me. Thanks everyone for your efforts 
