Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I have been having some electrical issues with my Cruiser. Often when I turn the ignition to "on" all the lights and guages drop out as if the battery is disconnected. When I turn the key to "start" the guages flick on and off and the starter and fuel solenoids click on and off rapidly like when the battery is low on charge. Sometimes it does the clicking and flashing when you turn the key to "on", other times it is fine in all all positions and starts and drives normally. I have cleaned the starter, the brushes are fine and the solenoid has been rebuilt in the last 18 months with the upgraded contacts. All the connections are clean and tight. I tried shorting the starter motor positive to the battery and it did not much at all, then cranked, and the nothing again. My sparky mate spent an hour looking at it the other day and I am at a bit of a loss, hoping someone will say "ah they all do that, this is the problem..."

Thanks in anticipation.

sounds like ur main B+ ign feed is droping out. check fuse links and plugs to ign switch, they will be hot if bad connection.maybe even ign switch playing up.

You may want to get the simple checks out of the way first, test your starter relay(both on and off) and in your ignition switch with a multi-meter for resistance and continuity, the problem can also be caused by a regulator if it has one......

It could even be the glow plugs if it is a diesel, although I would think that would be more likely to burn out a solenoid. You can check those easily enough too with your multi-meter..

Will check it out lads, thanks for the input. I will go through those things in detail tomorrow. Need to get my workshop manual back from my mate also as he has moved away with it.

Got it sorted. Turned out to be the negative lead to the engine block at the battery had eroded around the point of contact until it wouldn't make. It was tight but just wouldn't carry current. The hot tip is check your connections as everyone says, but "check" means separate the connections and file them clean and flat to ensure a good contact. It took my handy auto elec 45 mins to find this fault. Thanks for your help everyone.