Club 80-90 Forums

Went to start my van earlier having driven a few miles with no issues, noticed that the flashing red coolant light didn't go out after the usual few seconds. When I turned the key there was no response apart from the coolant light, battery light and oil light all going out

Any ideas on what I can check to fix this?

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Thank you

Err drawing a blank with this one, the flashing light problem started after using the headlight switch. The flashing light sometimes goes out if I put the headlight switch to on, but not every time. I've had the cluster panel cover off and checked the connections and all seems good but still no ignition power, not even clicking from the glove compartment or any engine turnover

Think that you may have two different problems - the flashing light going out when headlights go on seems like it might be a grounding issue - I'd be checking the ground connections at the grounding points by the fuses behind the glovebox;
The non-starting issue - you'll need to investigate if you are getting a good 12v signal to the solenoid on the starter when you turn the ignition on - it could be that the ignition switch has packed in;
Do you have a multimeter to check these things out??

I had issues with mine hen I first got her. I bet it's earth related mine was.

Thanks a lot, will check it out in the morning

Further investigation but the red light still flashes...

I've removed and cleaned up the contacts for the headlight switch, all the contacts seem good with all wires intact.



There is a random loose green/yellow wire which looks like an earth but all the wires seem accounted for in the switch



It looks like an earth wire but there doesn't seem to be any place for it, any ideas?

Flashing temp light which goes out when lights switched on is due to an earth problem at the instrument panel - the instruments are finding a route to earth through the instrument lights and sidelights/headlights, when lights are switched on then this stops working - nothing wrong with the lighting circuits. Most likely a bad contact at the 14 way connector to the instrument panel. Try running a wire directly to ground from the middle connector of the temp gauge.

Hi marlinowner, thanks for that, the light stops when I run an earth from the temp gauge, how do I test the 14 way connector?

It may be that the 14way connector just needs cleaning up, or maybe even is not pushed right on - the connector is down below the back of the instrument panel, other side to speedo. You will have to take the instrument panel out to have a good look at it. It may be that the flexible plastic circuit board is damaged at the connector, but if all seems good there it may be an earth crown problem as described in earlier post. If necessary you could make the wire from the temp gauge to earth permanent, it is just duplicating the original wiring.
Unlikely to have any effect on the starting problem though.

Hi, thanks, I've checked the 14 way connector and it seems fine, it's a mystery why the light flashes and the bus won't start. Also checked the coolant level, sender connectors, starter motor trigger wire and all are good. I think that the fault is def in the cab as when I turn the key to start there is just one click and then totally dead. Still get battery and oil test lights but the flashing red light then goes out...

Fairly confident that the coolant light flashing is a lack of earth to the instruments, I had a similar fault and the light did the same thing. Not starting is unrelated (van will run fine with instrument panel completely disconnected), I think you need to check if 12v is getting to starter motor when key is turned, and that there is a good connection between starter/engine/gearbox and chassis.

Thanks a lot for that, will work my way through the connections and see if I can trace the faults

Thanks for the input on this one.

After much testing and tracing of wires I've got my bus running again, I removed the fuse in position 3 in the fuse box and it started straight up. The red light still flashes once the ignition is on and doesn't self test and go out as before but goes out once the engine starts and stays off. Temp gauge is working fine as are all other lights and instruments.

Question is position 3 is for the coolant warning light in the Haynes manual so I guess that I'm leaving myself open to no flashing light should the temp gauge go off the scale?

There was also old alarm wiring behind the dash, most of which was already cut so redundant.