Intermittent Electrical Power loss

[VWMonty]

I have a 1988 T25 1.7 Diesel, which I have had for about 3 months. We went to Cornwall in him about 1.5 months ago and he started with an electrical fault on the way home. To start just the temperature gauge light would flicker and the gauge would go up and down but it would not over heat, As this didn't happen all the time I thought I would get round to checking but usually forgot. As time has gone on, the heater plug light on the dash has now started to come on with it and the lights dim at the same time. I have checked and cleaned all the electrical connections in the engine bay. I changed the fan belt about 1 month ago as it was slipping but this has made no change to the fault.

I'm not sure if this is connected but when I first got him, he would normally start but every now and then would do nothing which was obviously a starter motor fault which was solved in the time honoured fashion of a swift hit to the housing. This has since stopped and has not been a problem for about 2 months.

Does anyone have any idea of what the fault might be, all ideas welcome

[Hacksawbob]

Earths probably
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... bad_earths" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[VWMonty]

Thanks Hacksawbob

Unfortunately it hasn't worked. The terminals were slightly corroded, I have cleaned them up and replaced some of the spade connectors but the fault is still there.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[California Dreamin]

And the earth crowns to chassis? did you check these were OK?

Martin

[VWMonty]

Yeah, I checked them too, they were good as well

[VWMonty]

To ensure I have a good earth on the fuse crowns, I have attached a spare spade connector to the crowns and connected to another definite earth point on the body work.

Doe any one else have any other ideas of what the fault may be?

[VWMonty]

Hi

I have just replaced the earth strap which is underneath the van about half way along, it is bolted to the underside of the gearbox and the chassis.

Be careful when you replace the strap as I sheared the bolt that is connected to the gearbox. Luckily I got a strap that was quite long so I was able to connect it further along the gearbox. I got a standard battery earth cable that was 12 inches long which is working just fine