Newbie with no indicators and no dash lights

[knock1204]

Hello all,

I've only joined today and have done my best to find some threads on my problems so forgive me if these are old and often discussed issues.

I've brought a 'G' Reg T25 which has a few glitches. I've just spent over £900 getting it through the MOT however, even after that, there are still some issues which I've had from day one and some more problems that have emerged since which I want to fix in order to sell the van (before I get lynched) as I'm afraid the wife and kids can't take the stress of the constant issues

If anyone can help with any of the following I'd be really grateful.

1. No dial lights at all. At night, I can't see what speed I'm going, how much fuel I have etc. Could this be a relay related thing? I first picked the van up in the day and so was not aware of this until the first time I drove it at night.

2. Indicators suddenly stopped working whilst driving to Blackpool last weekend. Not nice! - A relay I think?

3. I suspect a previous owner has tried to fit a buzzer that tells you when you leave your lights on. However, on our van it works the opposite way around which has led to several times where I've left lights on during the day and got a flat battery. Basically, I have to drive around on a sunny day at least with side lights on to get rid of the buzzing sound.

3. I am having to disconnect the battery when not using it for more than a day as something is draining it.

4. This is just a general question (probably a dumb one but hey!) - What is the connection between the starter battery and the leisure battery? Put another way, I disconnected the starter battery once we'd arrived in Blackpool so it wouldn't drain as I thought I'd be able to use the rest of the van from the leisure battery but when I switched the 12V switch to use the internal lights, nothing happened. So I had to reconnect the starter battery which, yes, you guessed it led to a flat battery when it came to leave. Oh the wife was so happy!!! ...........Stupid F@#?ing Van, or something along those lines I think she said!!

5. I know that the previous owner fitted a new stereo. Could this be what has led to some of the above issues?

Really appreciate any advice/help I can get,

Many thanks,
Ian

[Wizard42]

Hello all,

I've only joined today and have done my best to find some threads on my problems so forgive me if these are old and often discussed issues.

I've brought a 'G' Reg T25 which has a few glitches. I've just spent over £900 getting it through the MOT however, even after that, there are still some issues which I've had from day one and some more problems that have emerged since which I want to fix in order to sell the van (before I get lynched) as I'm afraid the wife and kids can't take the stress of the constant issues

If anyone can help with any of the following I'd be really grateful.

1. No dial lights at all. At night, I can't see what speed I'm going, how much fuel I have etc. Could this be a relay related thing? I first picked the van up in the day and so was not aware of this until the first time I drove it at night.

2. Indicators suddenly stopped working whilst driving to Blackpool last weekend. Not nice! - A relay I think?

3. I suspect a previous owner has tried to fit a buzzer that tells you when you leave your lights on. However, on our van it works the opposite way around which has led to several times where I've left lights on during the day and got a flat battery. Basically, I have to drive around on a sunny day at least with side lights on to get rid of the buzzing sound.

3. I am having to disconnect the battery when not using it for more than a day as something is draining it.

4. This is just a general question (probably a dumb one but hey!) - What is the connection between the starter battery and the leisure battery? Put another way, I disconnected the starter battery once we'd arrived in Blackpool so it wouldn't drain as I thought I'd be able to use the rest of the van from the leisure battery but when I switched the 12V switch to use the internal lights, nothing happened. So I had to reconnect the starter battery which, yes, you guessed it led to a flat battery when it came to leave. Oh the wife was so happy!!! ...........Stupid F@#?ing Van, or something along those lines I think she said!!

5. I know that the previous owner fitted a new stereo. Could this be what has led to some of the above issues?

Really appreciate any advice/help I can get,

Many thanks,
Ian

Sounds like a painful introduction to the world of late 80s camping. In my relatively short experience it is a game of extreme ups and downs especially when it comes to the mornings of kids strapped in and the sound of a slowing starter motor as it cranks away.

I can't help but think it sounds like you've got one with some universally flawed electrics.

Leisure battery and van battery should not have a direct connection, you may find there is a switch somewhere that allows the leisure battery to charge when the engine is running but otherwise should be isolated.

Dash lights is most likely bulbs, you don't get much illumination (just the dials) and there is a bulb recessed in the dash above each if them.

Buzzer certainly sounds aftermarket... I would find the source and take it out and make it good to original circuit.

It doesn't sound like any of your problems are caused by 'known' issues...

Phil.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[Bubble Meister]

Have you got a multi meter and a Haynes manual? Two crucial tools needed for these vans. Also, where are you? You may find a local on here to assist you?

[MagicWagon]

Re dash lights, see my post here as i had the same symptoms.
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=150479" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I replaced with LEDs and also suspect a connector at the back of the dash.

[tonytech]

I wonder if the buzzer is actually the low oil pressure buzzer being set off by bad electrics. wrongly wired pressure switches or faulty circuit board.
It seems odd to have fitted something that so obviously doesnt work.
Does your oil light flash with the ignition on, but engine off?
Does the buzzer sound with the ignition on, but the engine off?
T

[marlinowner]

That is an interesting thought - i wonder if the oil pressure buzzer would still work if the earth to the dash is lost, by grounding through the panel lights, lighting switch and sidelight bulbs? If so then that would no longer work when sidelights switched on, would explain lack of panel lights as well.
Need to check that dash has good earth and oil pressure circuit as above.
PS in theory should have failed MOT if speedo illumination not working.