When it's just one thing it's much easier to fix - simple process of elimination.
When's it's more than one you can end up chasing your tail (at least that's my excuse!)
I had fiddled with the 14pin connector, whacked the solenoid, tried "diy earthing" etc etc.
No joy and little patience left. With nobody about to help push the car out of the garage and bumpstart I called ADAC.
The jolly chap turned up and quickly pointed out that there is not one 14pin connector (the one I'd cleaned), but 2 of the things.
He reckoned he found a loose wire in the second one. Bingo, he says, now she should start: Click... nothing.
So he tests the batteries. Very low charge. Without a tester I'd wrongly assumed they were fine since the lights came on bright, the blower would blow etc.
Amateur, says Mr ADAC, your batteries need a charge, then we'll be started. In the meantime let's jump start the car.
Car fires up fine off his van, but next Mr ADAC's tester shows that the alternator isn't charging properly.
Mr ADAC: You'll need that fixing then. Oh, and look here, a sheared earth strap on one of the batteries.
So in a funny way, most of the suggestions on the thread were right:
- 14 pin connector
- Bad earth
- Not enough juice in the batteries
The first 2 items were easy fixes: clean and re-seat the connectors in both 14pin plugs. And fit a new earth strap to the battery.
As for item 3: Canford Classics are quickly and efficiently replacing the alternator with a new item, under warranty. Thanks Alan!
Old cars, eh. We love 'em
