Hi Guys,
 
Not happy!!
 
I washed the car yesterday and when I hosed it down I heard a sizzling noise from the coil and saw a wisp of smoke coming from somewhere close to the coil and ballast resistor.
 
Now the car won't crank over at all and the ignition light won't come on at all.  There is no power to any of the lights, horn etc..
 
I have checked that I am getting power to the starter motor but I don't get it anywhere else.
 
My question is If the coil is faulty, or if there's a short in the ignition system somewhere, will this explain why there is no power anywhere.
 
Can you gyus give me some things to check out to narrow down what has happened?
 
There is no power to any of the fuses and they are all intact.
 
Thanks
 
Matt
 
 

Have you checked for power at back of the alternator B+?If no power  there (which is what I am guessing),  then check that there is a good connection between battery + and thick yellow wire going into the main loom near ign. coil area. Also make sure the negative battery connections  to the body and engine block are good.
Cheers 

Thanks RS2000 am on holidays for the resty of the week so this is a priority.
 
The grounding is all good so I'll use the test lamp and work my way back from the battery in the boot and see where the issue is.
 
I am thinking maybe it's the ignition switch as this'll explain why there is no power anywhere.
 
Cheers
 
Matt

After spending about 3 hours today screwing aroundn I reeally have no clue what the F is going on!!
 
I have power to the starter but that is it.
 
Ther is no power to the fuse panel, ignition system, alternator, or interior either.
 
Is there a hidden fuse somewhere I don;t know about?
 
I am thinking maybe 2 things -
 
1.  The ignition switch is not working
2.  The relay that goes to the starter motor is rooted
 
Please help!!  I need to get my car running to get the rust repaired at the panel shop in 2 weeks time.
 
Cheers
 
Matt

Have you tried hotwiring the coil to see if the car will run, you did say no power anywhere at all except starter motor? That will eliminate your coil worries at least, even if you need to jump the starter motor solenoid to kick it over.
If you have a test light or multi meter then test for power on the back of the ignition switch, I think the constant 12v power is a big yellow wire? ( so is the acc and ignition i think ).
If you have power on one of those and no out put then should be switch. 
 
 

Thanks Mickos,
 
Will have another crack tomorrow
 
Matt

Matt, if you have no power at the thick yellow wire(B+) at the back of the alternator there is no point checking anything else other than what i said in the first reply. You really need to locate the thick yellow wire (4-5mm thick)that normally connects to the battery positive terminal and make sure it is electrically connected. That yellow wire connects battery to alternator, ignition switch and half of the fusebox, so if it isnt connected to the battery there will not be any power anywhere!!! Hope that makes it clear.

Cheers

As RS2000 said - check the medium size yellow wire from the +ve side of the battery.  There is a fusible link section in this wire close to the battery, that can die with old age or if you tried jumpstarting the car the wrong way round....  If you have absolutely no power anywhere other than the big positive lead that goes to the starter - it is the main loom feed that is almost certainly the problem, and this fusible link is the first thing that goes... (i have even seen some cars with 2 in parallel as lazy autoelects just put a new one in paralell to the old dud one...
 
The fusible link wire should be approx 10-20cm long and the first part of the wire close to the battery.  You should see its connection into the normal wire easily enough if you peel back the protective tape...
 
Try that...

Many thanks Guys,
 
I will check today.  I have moved the battery tot he boot but know what you guys are getting at.
 
This wires goes into the relay that feeds the starter motor and ignition.  So it stands to reason that no power here then nothing would work.
 
Cheers for the help.
 
Matt

I think I have admitted defeat!
 
There is power to the relay that goes to the starter direct from the battery in the boot (thick red wire in the photos) and when I bridge the wires the starter engages so I know there is power getting there but am pretty sure that either the ignition switch / barrel is gone or there is a broken wire or fuse somewhere I can't find.
 
I tested the thick yellow wire going into the switch and there is nothing.
 
Unless the relay from the battery to the starter is broken.  It is pretty old and a bit rusted on the outside.  See pics.
 
I could replace this and see.
 
Can anyone recomend a good auto elec that does home visits or is anyone close to Doncaster Vic keen for some beers?
 
Cheers
 
Matt