12A FB 1985 - car stationary -fired it up and ran for say 1 hour -reving occasionally to 5k-7 k and so on to give it a clear out and left idling .I turned off and when I went back to restart the warning lights on cluster which come on when ignition is on were dead -only the handbrake light stays on and I find I cannot now get a start - no burnt fuses - fuel at plugs but no spark .
Could this be linked to the alternator -which I rebuilt last year and was working well 13.5 - 14 volts when car running. also fitted with new coils.
I've checked all connections fuses ,refreshed solder on cluster.
All guages ,lights ,horn work
Any suggestions as to what to look for - I read here that bottom white/black wire in two pin connection on alt goes to dash warning lights !
Also can I test the alternator on a bench - ie off the car
Thanks guys

 

What is your battery voltage with key off, and also with key on? (Check with voltmeter)

 

Did you check the fusible links under the hood?

 

Hiya- battery fully charged - 12v- then just under when turning engine.
Yep -checked fusible links all ok.checked conns under dash -cleaned fusebox-checked bulbs in cluster.Baffled !!!!

 

I think the warning lights will go out when you turn the key from ACC and try to start. Assuming the handbrake one stays on cause the lever is up. Try unclamping the battery cables, cleaning them up some and re-clamping. Every once in awhile, I have one car that acts normal until you turn the key from on to start. Then it just kind of clunks and everything goes out and the tach falls to zero. My cables are tight and spotless but un clamping and re clamping em brings it right back to life. It's ALIVE!!!! But if you are actually turning over the starter, it sounds like something else.

 

Makes it highly likely there is an open circuit someplace, rather than a short - - if it was a short you'd see voltage dip, and/or something would burn out.

Time to start looking for places voltage doesn't get to when it's supposed to, and then working back from there. Also, verify grounds. (Sorry, "Earths." Tally-ho!)

Ignition is the simpler system and therefore the place to start. Especially since you recently changed coils.

 

Check your connections at the battery, and at the starter.



.

 

I actually just experienced the same issue. Turns out my battery's water level is low, and im having more draw from my audio system and e-fan. So yesterday morning she would do the same thing. I just jumped it, let the alternator (s5 80amp alt swap in mine) charge it up, and its good now. Off to the store in a minute to get some distilled water to fill the battery back up and call it good!

I need to look into batteries though, mine is 5 and a 1/2 years old, and ive only had the car for al1 year and 1 day now. Our anniversary was yesterday