Series 2a LWB dead, ideas please

[landychris]

Bloody land rovers.
I have a Series 2a LWB wagon with an original landy six engine and it was running when I parked it four weeks ago. Went to start it yesterday and nothing.
SO, Battery? …..Charged it up and ok. Put it on a multimeter the next day and still holding 12.9 volts. BATTERY PACK to assist? ....nothing. Replaced the negative lead with a new one and cleaned up contacts…..nothing.
No sign of life not even in the lights or parkers, everything totally dead.
Can anyone give me some help and tell me where to from here?
landychris

[V8Ian]

Fusable link?

[JDNSW]

Get a voltmeter or test light, and find out where the open circuit is.

You replaced the negative lead, but does it go to the engine or the chassis? If it goes to the chassis, it needs a good connection between the engine and chassis to carry starter current. If it goes to the engine (or gearbox) it needs a good connection between the chassis and engine to enable anything going via the instrument panel to work.

Another possible issue could be the stack of connections on the starter solenoid positive connection.


(All descroiptions above assume a negative earth system - I am not certain all sixes were.)

[landychris]

Get a voltmeter or test light, and find out where the open circuit is.

You replaced the negative lead, but does it go to the engine or the chassis? If it goes to the chassis, it needs a good connection between the engine and chassis to carry starter current. If it goes to the engine (or gearbox) it needs a good connection between the chassis and engine to enable anything going via the instrument panel to work.

Another possible issue could be the stack of connections on the starter solenoid positive connection.


(All descroiptions above assume a negative earth system - I am not certain all sixes were.)

The negative lead was connected to its original position in the wagon, ie bottom of the seat box on one of the battery clamp bolt points. It has always been at this position and I have had the landy for over 30 years. Battery is neg to earth and the battery is in its original position under the passenger seat. If it was a starter only issue I would still have power to the lights, but I have nothing.
landychris

[landychris]

Fusable link?

Do they have one?
landychris

[Tins]

The negative lead was connected to its original position in the wagon, ie bottom of the seat box on one of the battery clamp bolt points. It has always been at this position and I have had the landy for over 30 years. Battery is neg to earth and the battery is in its original position under the passenger seat. If it was a starter only issue I would still have power to the lights, but I have nothing.
landychris

Dunno much about your car, but bear in mind that many cars take the feed for pretty much everything from the +ve terminal in the starter, so check that. Can you get a test light or voltmeter reading from that post on the starter and earth? To eliminate the earth, can you run a jumper between the -ve post on the battery to a god solid point on the engine and see what happens? The earth connection at the bottom of the seat box won't be the only one, there will be a cable or strap between the chassis and the engine or gearbox. Often it's connected to a bellhousing bolt, or a starter mounting bolt. If a bolt has dropped out then that could be the issue.

[trout1105]

It sounds like you have a problem with your ignition leads.
Check out the small wire that goes to your starter motor or it may simply be a fuse blown.
If you have No power going to the ignition the solenoid on the starter motor wont engage.

[V8Ian]

Do they have one?
landychris

Just a suggestion, it's got to be something close to the battery, to take everything out.

[landychris]

Just a suggestion, it's got to be something close to the battery, to take everything out.

The starter solenoid switch is in the battery box under the seat and that is ok. Will check the other earth straps tomorrow. (Fuel tank gauge, wiper motor, and starter motor).
Thanks
landychris

[landychris]

It sounds like you have a problem with your ignition leads.
Check out the small wire that goes to your starter motor or it may simply be a fuse blown.
If you have No power going to the ignition the solenoid on the starter motor wont engage.

I only have two fuses both are ok. With no power going to the ignition I still should have power to the lights.
landychris