I think I know what the problem is, but I just want to double check with you guys. My black beater....when I go to start it, it will act like it's dead. The instrumentation will light up, relays click, then everything goes dead. Then all of a sudden it will start after 5 tries. When I step on the brake, the interior lights will dim. I think it's a bad battery cable. Do you guys agree? Thanks for any input.

Ryan

Black beater 1987 T2-140,000 miles

Black 1987 T2 29,000 miles (yes they are original)

 

Yeah, bad battery connections or bad grounds.

Replace the grounds to the engine, battery.

Replace the power from the alt, and the battery connections.

I might also double check the ignition harness at the steering column, incase you have a bad or intermittent connection.