Electrical problem

[budbay6]

Hi all my van underesto bodywork mainly, but I periodically start to keep it running
Resently took the dash top off referbed and repainted then just placed on top not fixed back now after a bit of history !
Tried to start the van the other day and reconnected batery turned key oil light on gen light on vdo clock working then as I turn to start all goes off gen oil and fuel gauge go off dead nothing no lights no starter etc then when I turn ignition off oil gen n fuel gauge clock all come back to life ??
Bad earth ??
Any suggestions great fully received

Cheers Adi

 

[gas1man]

Definitely the first place to start.............Earth..
After that start by raising what you put down as it may have pulled /trapped a wire.
Check the wires to the starter/key barrel.
Good luck.

J & P

 

[paul_q]

Is the battery okay?

 

[budbay6]

Blimey that was quick ! So love this forum ,
Well where do I start with EARTH ? Fitted a new starter cos I thought solinoid had gone
New regulator in case it was that ! Checked all under dash top I'd placed carefully down nothing obviously off touching or pulled off connection wise ???
So I'm still puzzled ??
Help help ??

Cheers Adi

 

[budbay6]

Forgot to say new batery and maintained on a trickle charger

 

[paul_q]

I'd check the powers getting to the starter also the earth between engine/gearbox to body. Also check starter directly to battery with a set of jump leads

 

[georgeyv]

As above, sounds very much like a faulty earth. I had the exact same symptoms on a beetle where the earth connection on the battery was not tight. Also had a pal pop over with the same symptoms and he found the earth strap on the gearbox had come loose.

 

[gas1man]

wires to the starter/key barrel ?????????????? Never know.
In the steering column.


J & P

 

[budbay6]

Hi thanks for all your info ! I've got some home work to do know checked barel ing Earth connection that fine going towards earth on batery and starter route and check earth to gearbox !
Will let you know how I get on and started fingers crossed .

Cheers Adi

 

[budbay6]

Well where do I start !
HUSTON WE YOU DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EARTH !
Thanks for all your replies and pointers , every day a school day, after checking all the above & last weekend taking off the earth to gearbox strap and cleaning up and admiering the now shiny German copper and reconnecting then I moved on to the batery earth although not the best looking thing I was happy with its job & connection.
So for those of you reading this for the first time my van under the welding doctor n resto so batery connected now and then just to start up and then back in the garage connected up to a very expensive device that keeps it conditioned and descaled ,etc. So no worries there or so I thought
So after doing all the above and Still no start !Scratching my head connecting the batery up to a test charger only to discover that batery showing 7 v charge ? Opened up dry cells !
So school day lesson if left for long term charge always check fluid levels , new batery second turn of the key we are up & running !
Cheers again peeps
Adi

 

[gas1man]

J & P