brenhaze said:

More news chaps!!
Firstly thanks for your replies!

Today I checked the reset fuel switch and fuse box.

When I put key in ignition the dashboard lights flicker on and off like a Christmas tree.

I fiddled with a few wires and now the odometer display wont go out and a continuous clicking noise from the passenger near the fuse box.
The fuse box even clicked a few time itself after more wire wiggling.

I think the battery will drain now as if the odometer display wont go out then im guessing its draining juice

Bren

Click to expand...

What wires were you fiddling with? Lift the fusebox and check wiring under there? Anything near the ignition switch?

Hi Chaser,

I've put a fully recharged battery in today, there was no joy just one click.
Then persisted to fiddle with wires under fuse box.
Actually started after tapped around the fuse box, seems to start each time so at least now I can get it to a garage.
So it seems i have 2 problems now
1) Loose wire somewhere by the fuel cut out/fuse box that needs to be found
2) Thick black smoke still coming out when engine revs high/Turbo kicks in

So now I need to source a local landy chap to see if I can pay someone to fix the beast.

Bren

More news adding more confusion!
OK, so i tapped about with the fuse box and after no power, some power, twitchy electrics, it even carried on making a clicking noise when i took key out of ignition until i tapped the fuse box again upon which it finally stabilised enough for me to start her up and drive to the auto electronics people.

They called me today and said starter motor faulty.

Can one of you clued up chaps explain to me that:
If i only turn my key to radio etc and try and start the car, would a dodgy starter motor really affect the dashboard lights and electrics? regardless of if if the car will start or not.

I was convinced its a dodgy cable as all this happens whether or not i am trying to start her up but I want to make sure that a dodgy starter woudl cause the electrics to go on and off even if not turning the key fully??

Really look forward to a reply

bren

brenhaze said:

More news adding more confusion!
OK, so i tapped about with the fuse box and after no power, some power, twitchy electrics, it even carried on making a clicking noise when i took key out of ignition until i tapped the fuse box again upon which it finally stabilised enough for me to start her up and drive to the auto electronics people.

They called me today and said starter motor faulty.

Can one of you clued up chaps explain to me that:
If i only turn my key to radio etc and try and start the car, would a dodgy starter motor really affect the dashboard lights and electrics? regardless of if if the car will start or not.

I was convinced its a dodgy cable as all this happens whether or not i am trying to start her up but I want to make sure that a dodgy starter would cause the electrics to go on and off even if not turning the key fully??

Really look forward to a reply

bren

Click to expand...

The usual fault for dash lights/instruments going off and no engine cranking is a faulty ignition switch. The other common failure when the starter solenoid clicks but the motor doesn't turn is the solenoids internal contacts are badly worn. These can be replaced with a repair kit or some replace the starter completely.

The thing is non of this ties in with this issue of moving wires in the fuse box area. It does sound like you have a poor connection somewhere in, under or around the fuse box. The supply to the ignition switch is from the fuse box so that could explain why the dash lights go off and also why the starter won't crank sometimes.

In a nutshell, I would only proceed to either the ignition switch or starter solenoid AFTER confirming everything is as it should be with the connections at the fuse box.

This is obviously assuming battery, battery cables, clamps and earths are OK.

edit..... Also the starter shouldn't have an effect on the instruments when you are not attempting to operate it.

Just an update as it always seems unfair when people panic and ask info and then never advise how they got on.

Well I was advised by garage it was the starter motor, I dissagreed and asked them to re-check the cabling around the battery.

Low and behold, they found a dodgy posative cable from the battery and replaced. Touch wood all has been ok since.

With ref to the smoking exhaust, I searched a few results on here and as suggested went for a few runs up and down and no smoke anymore but I will take advice and replace the filters as they must not have liked all that muck being sucked in as smells a little funky!

Many thanks again all!
Bren