Not getting any power
 

Hey guys
i got a problem, when i turn my ignition on, I do not get any power to any auxiliaries like lights/lights in the dash/signals and all that. One thing i know for sure is that my starter is shot, its jammed and ground is cooked, in other words need new one. Would that cause my problem, not getting any power at all?

thanks guys, I need your input.

is your battery charged?
if so, check your ignition switch.

is there a test for the ignition switch?

not that i know of..
go to volkswagon, get yourself an older beetle (search frwilk's posts for what year) ignition switch.. only $13 from the VW dealer and it's the same part..

searched it up... it's for a 74 beetle.

Re: Not getting any power
 

What ground is cooked? Why are you leaving the starter jammed?

I would suggest fixing the starter first and go from there. With something "cooked", that sounds like any work may result in more damage to the car.

hmm ok, as i explained bendix gears are jammed forward, I didn't say i jammed it or holding it jammed, I said its jammed as in not disengaging back. As for the ground, its the ground that runs from solenoid to the inside of the starter, to the windings, there is no way to replace it unless you rebuild it.Also by cooked i mean when i touched it (wire originally is braided ground wire) it fell apart.
As i said I knew that there is the problem with starter, but my question was:
would that cause me not having any power to anything else?
I am looking into getting a new starter then I will try it to start it again, meanwhile I replaced my battery ground wire and Positive connectors I also tested my fuses and they all had resisitance, so should be ok.

I should probably add that I never had this car running, I bought it cheap and now trying to figure out all the problems from previous owners and fix them.

thanks

The open cable that runs from the solenoid into the starter is the power to the starter motor from the large contacts in the solenoid. If this has melted through it's because your starter/solenoid is toasted. Remove it and have it rebuilt or replaced.

Can you put a socket and ratchet (1/2 to 3/4 inch drive) on the front of the crank shaft and turn the engine clock wise? If so is it easy to turn?

Have you taken off the top of the belt cover and inspected the timing and balance belts? Are they intact or broken or missing teeth?

What were you told about the condition of the car when you bought it???

No I haven't taken the cover off yet to see the belt.
I am planning on pulling an engine out in about a month and doing the front end service along with few other things.
When i bought the car, it didn't run, I bought it of a guy that has a lot of different cars, he bought this one for a project but never got to it. He said he drove it 2 years ago and waterpump was leaking, then he tried to start it a while ago and starter got jammed. that was it, it sat outside for 2 years until i bought it.

Don't have to take the engine out to do a front reseal or water pump. I strongly suggest replacing the timing and balance belts before you even try to crank it over. Also draing the fuel tank and back flush the fuel system from the fitting on the front of the fuel rail. Might even want to pull the fuel pump and do a bench flush and cleaning. Replace the fuel filter too.

I picked up an 86 engine that had sat for almost four years. New belts and water pump. Some of the aluminum seals at the oil pressure sender and oil pressure regulator. No other leaks. Runs great.

today i replaced my starter, decided to just turn the power on without cranking the engine and vuola i got the power. got power to the lights (fog lights didn't work). My windshield wipers worked but when i turn them off (pull the wiper handle all the way down) they still worked (like it was on lowest setting). My front lights wouldn't come up all the way up, so i played with light relay(on the light motor itself), it clicked and went up, I turned them off and they went down but when i turned them back on they came up half way again, until i touched the relay again. Also my ignition switch did not click into position, it was a little stiff but when i turned the key it just didn't seem to click at all. I think thats all i have for now, thats all i had time to test as it got dark and trouble light can only do so much.

Dan

wiper switch all the way down is on...
the 'off' setting is the second click from the top i think... or second click from the bottom... either one, i cant remember..

get a new headlight motor relay, and check the bulbs in your fogs.. also get a new ignition switch... that sounds like it should cure most of your problems..

cool, thanks Kyle, I'll check it out tomorrow. As for the switch i'll be picking one up from Pelican whenever i decide to pick up other parts for timing job.

Dan

Pull the relay for the wiper time-delay and that should fix the continuous running wiper problem. With the relay out they will still work on hi and low speeds, just no time-delay.

Jon

checked today.. 'off' is second click from the bottom.