Club 80-90 Forums

Might be a long shot but hoping someone can help with the following;

Went to start my van a couple of weeks ago after being laid up for a couple of months and the battery was flat. Jumped it off and when for a nice long blast to charge it up. There is what looks like a retro fit light on the dash (see below) which normally flashes once approx every 10 seconds and I've never thought anything about it. But after jumping the battery the light flashed rapidly and a clicking noise could be heard. After a good run I stopped to fill up and the battery didn't even have enough juice to start again. I replaced the battery but the light on the dash is still flashing rapidly and occasionally clicking also. I noticed if I rev the engine the light goes out for a few seconds then back on again.

All I can think is there is a) there is an electrical problem. B) alternator gone. C) the light has something to do with charging the leisure battery.

Any suggestions would be grateful.

Isn't that the light that indicates your fridge is running on 12v? Would explain drained battery?

Thorgills wrote:Isn't that the light that indicates your fridge is running on 12v? Would explain drained battery?

Ah, interesting. I've been to the van tonight after it has stood for a week and plenty of life in the battery.

Stuart, your post made me think of something I hadn't checked, so I've just shot through to Driffield to check.

I switched the electrics on via the switch under the sink / cooker and the leisure battery is showing full charge. When I switched the fridge to 12v the green light came on to indicate it was working. The clicking noise from behind the dash still there even though the van has been switched off several hours

Firstly, in my experience of an independently switched fridge supply as an alternative to the automatic relay method, the switch and indicator light have been mounted on the main metallic dash section down and to the right of the steering wheel, not on the instrument panel itself (Xplorer and Holsworth conversions).
Secondly, I cannot help but notice that your fog light switch and hazard light switch have exchanged locations for some reason (although this may be academic as regards your problem) but usually the additional light on the instrument panel has been for tow bar indicators and is usually located at the top LHS of the instrument panel, and it doesn't normally flash prior to starting the engine. The only thing that flashes a few times prior to starting the engine is the water coolant warning indicator light in the centre of the temp gauge.
Not exactly helpful with tracking down what it's for but might be useful to know?

1664 wrote:Firstly, in my experience of an independently switched fridge supply as an alternative to the automatic relay method, the switch and indicator light have been mounted on the main metallic dash section down and to the right of the steering wheel, not on the instrument panel itself (Xplorer and Holsworth conversions).
Secondly, I cannot help but notice that your fog light switch and hazard light switch have exchanged locations for some reason (although this may be academic as regards your problem) but usually the additional light on the instrument panel has been for tow bar indicators and is usually located at the top LHS of the instrument panel, and it doesn't normally flash prior to starting the engine. The only thing that flashes a few times prior to starting the engine is the water coolant warning indicator light in the centre of the temp gauge.
Not exactly helpful with tracking down what it's for but might be useful to know?

Just had tow bar fitted. The van has obviously had a tow bar previously because bumper has a cut out. Wonder if tat has anything to do with it.

Possibly. I reckon you're just going to have to trace this out, as it doesn't appear to be VW wiring so it's difficult for anyone to do better than hazard a guess really.

1664 wrote:Possibly. I reckon you're just going to have to trace this out, as it doesn't appear to be VW wiring so it's difficult for anyone to do better than hazard a guess really.

Fair comment. Thank you for the advise.