Club 80-90 Forums

Having been under Flint this morning to fix the leaky exhaust, I noticed a plug dangling unplugged from something. Upon finding the place it should plug into, I plugged it in.

It plugged into a switch on the top of the rear gearbox. As you look at the engine from the rear of the van, you can see said switch directly behind, and below the starter motor.

My question is, what is this switch for? The reason I ask, is because since plugging it in, my engine won't start now. So unplugged it again, and engine still won't start, it don't fire up, turn over, or even engage the starter motor.

Now the starter motor has recently been replaced by a local garage with a new Bosch starter motor, and I assumed that said garage forgot to plug this plug back in. I was under the impression the switch maybe for the reversing lights?

If said switch is for the reversing lights, then why could it possibly prevent me from starting the engine?

Any pointers on said switch would be greatly appreciated as currently I cannot go anywhere, and stuck up on my ramps.

Photos.

Plug with brown, and blue and brown wires..



Two pin(shielded)



Location of switch as pointed out..



Also found this thick red & black wire, which I may of just accidentally unplugged whist pulling this plug up to look at?


Thanks in advance!

Could be the reverse switch or difflock , what colour wires.

Can't remember, but will pop down now, and check. Will get a couple of photos too. Brb.

Photos now added to first post. Discovered a thick red and black wire too, as photo. Could this be the wire causing my non-starting? Should it be plugged into the starter?

Ok, I have found where the thick red and black wire goes, connected it to the empty spade on the back of the starter (with battery disconnected), and then reconnected battery, and it started

However, this spade is very loose, and I obviously accidentally unplugged it when inspecting the gearbox switch. I will plug the gearbox switch again, ensuring its seated fully, then crimp the thick red, and black wire a little in the hope it tightens up the fitting to starter spade.

First one is the reverse or diff lock switch and the second is off the starter motor.

jed

The starter wire should latch on, then put a cable tieroundthe solenoid and wire to hold it still

Cheers guys, sorted the starter now, and works as should, however, upon plugging in the gearbox switch, I still have no reversing lights

Mickyfin wrote:Cheers guys, sorted the starter now, and works as should, however, upon plugging in the gearbox switch, I still have no reversing lights

Pull the conector off again and stick a bit of wire in the two connectors, if the rear lights come on you have a faulty switch

jed

Will be doing just that shortly Jed mate. Just waiting for guests/family to leave here right now as it's Mid-Summer celebrations here this weekend.

Tis definately the difflock warning light switch

Syncrobaz wrote:Tis definately the difflock warning light switch

Oh right, so my reversing lights not working must be something else then. With this plug plugged in, my rear diff lock light does not illuminate when I pull out my rear locker control knob. Never has worked since I got my Syncro.

Need to investigate this further. Thanks.

If your diff lock pin is stuck then it wouldn't light up as it isnt engaged. Put a bit of wire between the two contacts on the connector and see if the diff lock light lights up, if it does then this should tell you that its a stuck diff lock pin.

jed

Cheers Jed, will do that and report back with my findings.

Bit of an update for you guys.

Syncrobaz, and others were correct, that two pin plug was indeed the diff lock plug. I removed it, and put a small piece of wire across the contacts, then put ignition on, and the rear locker light lights up So I need to fix a sticky pin?

I checked the reversing light switch connections, and unplugged, and sprayed with WD40, re-plugged in, nothing, so did the same, bridged the contact with wire, ignition on, and reverse lighth lit up So I'm needing a new reversing light switch then?

Cheers for all your help in getting me to the bottom of this, at least now I know what's what