Dead electrics

[David2269]

This message follows on from my previous one regarding a flat battery, new battery and battery clamp fitted. When I came to start it yesterday the electrics were dead. I assumed it was because the battery was new or discharged, as also fitted new stereo (retro looking Blaupunkt) but when I hooked it up to a battery charger the battery was fine. Any ideas what this could be a fuse issue? Thanks in advance.

[FrenchStag]

Have you disturbed / pulled apart one of the connection boxes somewhere in the car? There are quite a few in the engine bay near the alternator.

Is the ignition switch working (one time my switch fixings gave up and the key would turn without moving the switch…)

Or indeed blown fuse..

[APS]

When you say the electrics are dead, is that everything including lights, radio etc.
Or is it just when you switch on the ignition to try and start the car ?

[Symmo]

have you put a meter across the battery? I would also check the battery earth braid mine had come loose on the body earth. I see your in Buckingshire if you get stuck I am in Milton Keynes

[David2269]

Electrics dead everything so guess it will be a connection somewhere as the battery seems to have a charge. I will look again this weekend. Thanks all.

[trunt]

It looks like a Mk2..

After checking the ground strap check the connection of the 2 thick Brown wires running towards the firewall down at the right inner wheel arch. they connect to the battery cable with large Spade connectors under a plastic cover thing.. ALL the power goes up those 2 wires, even if the starter is connected it will never start as the solenoid cannot be energised.

[jbuckl]

Ok….
1. By dead, it it totally dead? No headlamps or side lamps?

2. is the battery seemingly charged?

3. is there contact at the earth to body and earth to engine?

[Goldstar]

If there is good charge to the battery and all the fuses are ok, I would suspect the ignition switch. You could Hotwire it to check this