Interesting - complete eletrical failure after any re-start

[scoobytjames]

Hi there,

Mk1 135K miles, healthy battery.

Starts fine first thing when cold.

If I stop and restart after 2mins - 3hours there is no life at all - no dash lights on the second key position and no starter - nothing.

However the car will start first time again if I bump it.

I can only think it may be relay related? Could the main relay be `sticking`. When I bump start it, the voltage in the system is reversed as it is coming from the alternator and not the battery and this `unsticks` the relay and off we go.

Any ideas?

[Hedgehog Dodger]

Are all the fuses ok?

[r1chard5000]

Ive got a similar problem...

Its happened a few times...

Started fine from cold, drove 10ish miles pulled into a garage went to start the engine again.... nothin... bumped it....fine...

back home tested it again switching the engine off.... nothing...bumped it.... fine

Back in the car yesterday morning started like a dream again...

Its doing my head in.

[scoobytjames]

Fuses OK.

Checked main relay - OK.

I think it may be a circuit breaker issue now - the radio and clock both reset each time. eg power from the battery is being completely cut to the rest of the car, just like I have removed the battery!

Anyone got a wiring diagram for the MK1?

[Hedgehog Dodger]

Are you sure the connections to the battery are connected properly?

[scoobytjames]

yup.....

Its now not starting even first thing.

After driving (having bump started it!) and stopping:

I can key-on to 1st position and get the dash lights, key through to ignition and there is a definate click, dash electrics go dead and no starter. That is then it until I bump it and repeat........

[PW@Woodsport]

check the fusible link on the battery +,check the earth strap has a good connection on top of the thermostat housing,pull the large grey M2 connector apart at the base of the passenger rear strut tower inside the engine bay and spray it with wd40...just a few things for you to check.

[crazylegs]

i had this a couple of times on my white one.but mine was dead at the first start up.leave it ten minutes and she`d roar into life.it would be fine for a few months then turn the key and nothing.never did get to the bottom of it i tried all sorts and wiggled everything but nothing seemed to work. so it will be interesting to see what happens.

[scoobytjames]

Stopped doing it for the last few weeks!

There is definately the sound of something (relay?) clicking as you key-off before getting a no power start.

ie If I hear the `click` I know the b******d is going to be dead!!

Anyone suggest any relay / breaker locations to have a look at?????

[paul port]

As paul has pointed out, it is most likely to be an earth issue.
Either the battery negative to chassis, or the chassis to engine block straps.

If you are getting no electrical activity at all (Including interior light?) when you try to start - it will be the battery end.

Paul

[jimi]

Its not going to be a circuit breaker. They need to be reset manually.