Had used the car without issue - went to move it into garage - ignition on - hit the starter button - click and ignition went off. Tried a few more times and then ignition would not even come on. Now I have nothing working - everything on the dashboard is effectively dead. Tested starter solenoid and that functions correctly off the car. Disconnected starter and that makes no difference.

I now have power at one terminal of the regulator (right hand one), at only the extreme right screw connector plus in and out of only one of 6 fuses (second from the left) - that going to the cigar lighter. All fuses are okay. Battery is fine - good charge and not discharging. Nothing appears hot indicating a short.

Wiring is difficult to follow as the orginal loom was used in the restoration 20 years ago and almost impossible to follow colours. Nothing has been done to the car for years other than normal servicing, gets driven every couple of months and has behaved perfectly.

Car electrics are my weak point when it comes to fixing cars so any help or advice would be appreciated. I have no idea where to look next or how to check other components.

Thanks

Geoff

Submitted by geoff.sparkes@… on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 06:36

Thanks everyone. Problem fixed.

This is an April 1960 car with the later wiring (and I've only just found the post Jan 1960 wiring diagram) which feeds the ignition directly via a brown and blue wire from the ammeter. Although these were all still connected and appeared tight, the old wires just weren't making contact on the ammeter end, even though it was on the side fed from the battery. Cleaned and tightened and everything is fine again.

A problem I suppose of still having the original wiring loom. Time to give all the contacts a clean and tighten while the dash is hanging off!

Again, many thanks for the suggestions.

Regards

Geoff

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Mon, 05/30/2011 - 07:39

Geoff by your description and assuming the car is stock the common point for your described issues is the ignition switch or the main connections on the starter solenoid. I am more inclined to send you to the ignition switch as the cigar lighter draws from that common connection. I also do not think your ameter is bad as you are reading battery voltage on your regulator which is passing through the ameter. Check the common connections on the starter sol. and then pull the lower panel and check the ign. switch. It may be as simple as the grub screw has come loose--or the old wire just gave up. Let us know and remember you can always call the JCNA tech line if you are a member of JCNA.