No power to dash

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Terry Phillips
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No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

I drove my T3 and parked it the next day I went to start it and it was completely dead. Checked battery and plenty of power. Got powero alternator and starter but nothing then the oil light came on tried to start it then the oil light went off but the engine did not turn over no power again to dash.I took power from the battery to the fuse box then by touching a few fuses then things start working. So I can only think there is no power going to the ignition and dash,But checked and checked earth loose contacts but nothing. Any ideas please.


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Re: No power to dash

Post by AlanH »

Have you checked that all the fuses make
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Tony Z
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Tony Z »

maybe your ignition switch is dead
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

Checked all that it seems to work ok once I put power to the fuse box.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

Does the power source come from the starter or Alternator.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by sean »

Terry Phillips wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 3:11 pm Does the power source come from the starter or Alternator.
Hi Terry

The power source is straight from the positive terminal of the battery under the drivers seat. It is possible that this wire has come loose or just making bad contact. You will see the usual thick cable which runs to the starter motor, but there is a second smaller wire for the fuse box which attaches to the positive terminal.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

Thanks Sean never checked that thank you.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

Sean I got power now at some of the fuses but still nothing going on in the dash and no ignition but it cranks the engine over. I think I should check the dash itself.It the printed circuit dash.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Tony Z »

check the power on the other side of the fuse too
I've had it before where the beetle fuses corrode onto their holders and do not let the power pass through the fuse.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

Well I managed to get it to crank over but still no dash light when the key is on.The oil light is on but no pilot light .
There is power at the small wire on the alternator when the key is on but nothing at the dash. Does that wire for the light go through the fuse box.I would think so or am I barking up the wrong tree.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by german »

If you are talking about the alt charge warning light wire it comes from ign, fuse, dash warning light globe and then on to the alt.
If you earth it the wire the charge light should come on.
Make sure all your fuses are ok and make contact
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Re: No power to dash

Post by Terry Phillips »

german wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:29 pm If you are talking about the alt charge warning light wire it comes from ign, fuse, dash warning light globe and then on to the alt.
If you earth it the wire the charge light should come on.
Make sure all your fuses are ok and make contact
There are 2 small wires that come from the Alternator both green I think ign on there is power on one wire so that one that goes to the fuse box then dashboard is that right. :oops: I should know these things but I find it cheaper to ask as it can cost you money if you don't get it right.
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Re: No power to dash

Post by german »

Yes on both a test light should burn when switched on but the not so bright one is your charge pilot light which you can test to earth
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