Club 80-90 Forums

Hey my battery's been flat for some time so I changed it, all the normal lights come on the first turn of the key then on the full turn it clicked and nothing happened! I tried again and the next few times not even the dash ilghts came on, ive checked the fuses under the dash they all seem fine. Im guessing I've blown something but i just cant figure out what?? Please help

Jaret83mk1

Battery terminals corroded or corrosion on earth leads - gearbox, body and engine if you have one (not everyone has one on the engine) are the first ports of call.

I think I've checked everywhere (under boot lid, in battery tray under seat), and theres no signs of corrosion. But still no warning lights on the dash. I've bought new coil and leads anyway as they needed to be changed but the new coil hasnt made a difference.

Have you got a voltmeter? check the battery voltage at the terminals.
If you dont have a meter, use a brake light bulb, (21w)
Probably the battery is Goosed.
T

I assumed that 'changed the battery' meant a new one.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I assumed that 'changed the battery' meant a new one.

I would too, but I like to Start on page one.
T

jaret83mk1 wrote:
Hey my battery's been flat for some time so I changed it... still no warning lights on the dash....

I've bought new coil and leads...

the new coil hasnt made a difference.

Seriously though Jaret, the coil has got nowt to do with the rest of the vans electrics not working. All that does is provide sparks for the spark plugs.

Have you got a Haynes manual? If not, get one, for someone with limited knowledge, it is an essential tool.

Thankfully the problem is likely to be a simple one and you will kick yourself when you find it

As said above, it has got to be either a duff battery or a bad connection. There is an important connection from the battery's live wire on the back of the starter motor, if checking that for goodness sake DISCONNECT the battery before you go near those wires with a spanner. The space is tight and an accidental short circuit to any other metal could result in a serious danger to YOU !

Worst case is a duff ignition switch, but that is not a common fault at all.

Let us know how you get on

Thanks ghost, I'll check all connectors again tonight if I get enough daylight time. I've got a Haynes and it had nothing under electrical for this problem that I could see
But I'm sure your right, just got to be more thorough and double check everything!

Cheers

As the others have said above, check your battery first Is it charged up properly, get a test meter, after an overnight charge and then left to rest for around 8 hours (or more) it should read at least 12.8 volts.

Just a thought, is the plug for the ignition switch fully pushed home on the steering column?

Could be an ignition switch that has fallen apart, plus they do fail over time. Not mentioned so far - worth checking.

CovKid wrote:
Could be an ignition switch that has fallen apart, plus they do fail over time.

Not mentioned so far

ghost123uk wrote:
Worst case is a duff ignition switch

I was speed reading

Okay I must of checked everywhere atleast twice now. There does seem to be some little teeth marks through a few cables mind, so I'm guessing that there could be the problem. I'll post a pick and see what you think.
But would this be the case even if it turned over before I changed the battery and it stopped working all together?

Hot-wire it??

jaret83mk1 wrote: Hot-wire it??

I suppose, just to confirm where the fault is, you could take a live wire from the battery and hold it against the trigger terminal on the solenoid, that should at least spin the engine over. MAKE SURE IT IS NOT IN GEAR !! it would have to be a long wire and you would have to be VERY careful not to short it out against any earthy bits (metal body of starter / solenoid etc).

It's a bit heath robinson though, tests with a normal (cheap) multimeter would be a more professional approach

jaret83mk1 wrote:There does seem to be some little teeth marks through a few cables mind,

Perhaps you need to call out Rentokil

Sorry, couldn't resist