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Well-Known Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #1

Had this problem for a few months now, every now and again when I turn the key there is nothing, No lights on dash Nothing at all. When I wiggled the bunch of wires about in the engine bay the ones that go in to the bulkhead near the fuel filter the lights would come on the dash and It would start as normal.
Been perfect for a good few months now but started again a couple of weeks ago, now it will not start at all, tried moving the wires but nothing at all, no lights on dash no clicks or nothing.
Help Please

 

Tenz

Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #2

Hi,I had a similar thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago, but to cut a long story short, it turned out to be a earth problem, i added another earth strap from the battery to the body and hey presto,I'm not saying that is your problem but it's worth a try, failing that I would be having a look behind the clocks to see if there's anything obvious, like a wire come off the back of the ignition switch or something similar. Good luck

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #3

Tenz said:

Hi,I had a similar thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago, but to cut a long story short, it turned out to be a earth problem, i added another earth strap from the battery to the body and hey presto,I'm not saying that is your problem but it's worth a try, failing that I would be having a look behind the clocks to see if there's anything obvious, like a wire come off the back of the ignition switch or something similar. Good luck

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Thanks Mate.
Renewed all earths about a year ago also new starter motor, tested battery and it is at full charge, cant see any obvious loose or broken wires but will have to get a good luck when I can.

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #4

Forgot to say its a 1990 200tDI 90

 

Tenz

Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #5

No probs mate,hope it's a simple fix and let us know when you find the problem.

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #6

Any Electricians on tonight I could really do with some advice on this.

 

wattfield

AKA Dirk Diggler

• Jan 18, 2016

• #7

My earth strap goes from the battery to the chassis, and another from the same bolt in the chassis to the usual gearbox earth, to ensure good earth connections for anything that earths to the chassis itself.

 

Dippypud

Never Knowingly Understood

Full Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #8

Can't have too many earth straps on a Landy ...

 

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

• Jan 18, 2016

• #9

There should be something like a 60 amp fuse / link in the engine compartment, if that looks ok or you cant find it then check on the back of the ignition switch to see if you have 12v on the brown wire (power in). If that is ok set switch to normal ignition on position and see if you have 12 on the white wire (ignition supply)

 

mojo247

Active Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #10

Yes, Kwakerman, I was going to suggest the under the bonnet fuses. My lights were all out and that proved to be the fuse.

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #11

Kwakerman said:

There should be something like a 60 amp fuse / link in the engine compartment, if that looks ok or you cant find it then check on the back of the ignition switch to see if you have 12v on the brown wire (power in). If that is ok set switch to normal ignition on position and see if you have 12 on the white wire (ignition supply)

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Cant find any fuses under the bonnet, have not got a clue how to test wires, it did come back to life again today after I was fiddling about with the wires but when I went back it is dead again.
I am almost certain that it is a wire leading in to one of the big black connectors that are just to the left of the fuel filter leading into the bulkhead.
Gonna try and get someone to have a look at it tomorrow.

 

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #12

They will be in there somewhere, not sure about 200 but normally in a plastic box with a clip on lid. Might be a matter of switching ignition on with someone in the seat and then going around in engine bay moving things to see if you can localise the area.

 

wattfield

AKA Dirk Diggler

• Jan 19, 2016

• #13

I've got a 91 Tdi and there are no fuses under the bonnet.

 

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #14

wattfield said:

I've got a 91 Tdi and there are no fuses under the bonnet.

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Live and learn!

 

Dippypud

Never Knowingly Understood

Full Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #15

 

Dippypud

Never Knowingly Understood

Full Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #16

wattfield said:

I've got a 91 Tdi and there are no fuses under the bonnet.

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Might be a you phone ism for under the seat fuse box ..

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 19, 2016

• #17

Dippypud said:

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Checked all these mate and hey are ok.

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 20, 2016

• #18

Had a feel of the wires going to the starter motor they are all very loose, including the thick earth from battery moved them about a little and lights on the dash came straight on, it started with a few turns, but when I turned it off and felt the wires again they were getting very hot, think they were starting to melt. Cant get in to see can only feel the connections.
Any Ideas of whats making them heat up??
Thanks for help so far.

 

Disco1BFG

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Jan 20, 2016

• #19

if you mean loose as in loose on the terminals, then they will be arcing, and this will be producing the heat.

Might be an idea to disconnect the battery until you fix it - don't want a fire.....

 

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Well-Known Member

• Jan 20, 2016

• #20

Is there an easy way to get to the starter. Can't see only feeling at the moment