Club 80-90 Forums

At the outset the basic question I would appreciate your advice on is "Do I need to get an auto electrician to sort this out, or is it do able by a novice?"

The Van is a 1.6TD JX.

The problems started with all the lights going out on the dash after I turned the key and no start up.

Since then all I get is a clicking sound and the oil warning light blinks briefly and then everything goes out including the power to the radio.

I initially thought this might be a dodgy earth and so checked and cleaned the earth to the main battery and the gearbox earth. Still the same issue.

Then just as I was about to give up, I thought I'd better just do a visual inspection of any electrics I could see and discovered this...



Is this likely to be the cause of the issue or just another problem to add to the list?!

All advice very welcome.

Thanks in advance

Tim

How confident are you? These aren't difficult to work on and so long as you take your time label/photograph everything and have a basic electrical knowledge most people would be able to manage this. Always disconnect the negative earths on the battery when working on the electrics! wiring up the wrong way can result in fires, you have been warned etc...

looks like it's been rubbing on you turbo oil feed. I can see a hint of green so it looks like it may be the green black that supplies the rear tail light left . Trace that loom and see where it goes my guess would be to the rear light clusters. It should have taken out your fuse/s in the fuse panel. You could isolate it if you disconnect the relevant white cylinder shaped 7 pin connector in your first pic, there are two, the other one handles engine sensors. double check you have the right one with a voltmeter. They wont be live unless you have your headlight switch on or pressing brake pedal/ select reverse gear with ignition on.

Absolutely get that fixed before you investigate further and check to see if there are any other areas where it has been rubbing. Best fix is to get another loom but it is possible to rewire it all from scratch. My guess is that it is not causing your starting issue though, remember there are earth points up near the fuse box to check as well. Ignition switch in the steering column is prone to wear out and need replacing, starter motor wires is worth checking too.

Thanks, Hacksawbob.

I'm hoping the weather will improve this weekend and I can start putting it back together!