Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all, 

As part of an ongoing effort in trying to understand the 40 years of history of my T25 Petrol early 1981, today I undid all the wires from the fusebox and relays and labelled them one by one. The idea is to then try and figure out where they go and maybe get rid of some old hacks (e.g. there are two switches on the dashboard that currently don't do anything).

Unfortunately though, after putting everything back the van doesn't start. Normally a clicking noise (starter motor?) would be heard when turning the key to first position, but it's now gone.

The lights all work fine, and the motor trying to spin on ignition but it doesn't seem to be able to make it..

Any ideas what I could have missed or done wrong? I can't find the original layout for my van, as it's the really early one with ceramic fuses (now plastic, but you know what I mean - the long thin ones). Anyone here with that version?

Can't help with the wiring. However, I suggest that you replace the plastic fuses with ceramic ones. Heat can soften the plastic ones causing connection problems. Good luck.

Have you had the battery on charge, it may spin the engine over but might not have enough oomph to turn it fast enough to start it.

Yeah, charge the battery up to full on a mains charger before going further.... 

Thanks so much for the advise so far. Interesting about the battery, what should a good voltage be? I need to check later but I think I was reading 12.3v so should be ok?

Do you guys have early air cooled versions as well? I am not sure if that's standard or not, but in mine there is a starter solenoid on the starter motor and you can always hear the clicking noise when turning the key (before ignition). That's now gone, so another reason for thinking it was due to some wires being disconnected. Anyone knows how I can check that?

Thanks again!

Have you checked the main fuse? You could have tripped it, it's the plastic box in the engine bay, left hand side, where all the wires go to.

Think 12.3v is a bit low so definitely needs charging.

     

Yeah the battery is fine, but I am keeping it on charge now anyways - thanks for the heads up.

Went back in there and checked the engine compartment. I could only see one 8A fuse near the and it was ok, I changed it anyways as it wasn't looking very fresh!

I also realised one of the wires at the fuse box is not connected so maybe that could be the cause? I traced it back to the center of the dashboard but then it disappears under the carpet. See some pictures attached if they can be helpful?

Again, thanks so much! 

I guess the next question is: does anyone know where the starter solenoid is and how I can check why is not working? That's the main thing I need to get it back up and running. In the past it was a very loud sound when starting the van, so it would be very easy thing to know whether it's working or not!

troglodisme wrote: ↑07 Jul 2020, 21:05 Normally a clicking noise (starter motor?) would be heard when turning the key to first position, but it's now gone.

The clicking noise is probably the electrical fuel pump, which is not working now??  It looks like the pump is powered via a relay.  By the way, the pump should be mounted close to the outlet of the fuel tank underneath the van....

The starter solenoid is connected to the starter. I'm with Tobydog, could be you've disconnected or done something to the electric fuel pump.

These wires concern me .....

Wiring aside - it is the use of jubilee clips on a fuel line that concerns me.
 

Hello,

Oooh CU engine porn...

Wearing her Bingo Dress........eyes down... look in...

Aside from the good points mentioned by other posters....

If you do not hear the usual 'click' when the ign switch is turned, it may be that there is no electrical feed from the black box
inside left of engine bay to the coil and then carbs, or even a bad earth at the tag under the Dizzy bracket stud..

The click is the sound of the solenoids switching on,

Test light/meter, method and patience required....

Air-Cooled Bliss..

Cordialement,