Please Help Sarting Problem !

[Trout]

Hi, Just returned from 'ring' in 89 valver. On the way back oil light came on but oil level was fine...rev counter started to jump about then settled!!
  Went to sart up the next day and its dead but not battery dead, lights, wipers etc all OK but nothing on dash as in no fuel gauge etc. Turn key to start and main beam light (blue on dash) comes on. Checked ignition switch and it seems fine. Tried shorting wires from switch ie 30 -15 and 50 together and the Blue main beam on dash comes on. I have now removed the Instrument panel which looks OK but I am stuck as to what else to look for. Anybody any ideas, much appreciated. cheers Andy

[kittie]

My rev counter jumps about and then everything goes off all the time.

My bf has looked into the problem and can't come up with a solution. Have checked fuses, regs, battery, wiring etc.

Apparently Awesome gti do a reconned circuit board bit at the back of the clocks (or did at some point - mines already been replaced at some point by a prev owner), but it is pricey I believe.

[Trout]

Thanks Kittie, just wanted to know if I'm looking in the right place. Probably beable to pickup an instrument panel from ebay. Not to bad to fit now its all in bits, might rewire a lot of it too. cheers Andy

[VeeDubGTI16v]

have you checked all the earthing points? the main one is from battery to gearbox to block

[Trout]

I will go round all earthing points and check them...got a horrible feeling it could be an immobilizer which previous owner had fitted and I have no key fob for. Thanks for help.

[rubjonny]

drop the fusebox and look for water damage, if its wet open the bonnet and clear out the scuttle drain holes either side under the plastic tray, and put a big blob of sealant round the bonnet release grommet.

Get your missus to lend you her hairdryer, and give the fusebox a good going over with it, might get lucky and dry it out!

[Idle Duffer]

I had all manner of probs with my '86 8v recently occasional loss of power, missfiring under any load, odd elec probs.  Some days it was fine and some days wouldn't start at all.  I checked all the usual suspects  earths, connections, fusebox and relays, even fuel pump but all was normal.   Wasnt until it cut out and everything went dead while driving that i realised it had to be the immobiliser which was at fault.  It cuts out supply to fuel pump and ignition.   The internal relays were faulty and not allowing the full voltage through!!   Still, its the only time she's ever let me down.  Not bad for 4 yrs of ownership!

[mattkh]

HI
Was it an after market immobiliser. Did you take any pictures of the failed components.

[Trout]

Managed to trace this too the starter motor solenoid, so the car now starts ok.....................Unfortunately the oil pressure light now comes on when I rev her up....hopefully pressure sender and not oil pump !
Cheers
Trout