Hi all, new person here. I wonder if anyone has managed to find and download successfully an English-speaking manual for this model - 1999 was the end of this spec. Basically there is an earth fault /short and having dismantled everything, checking across with a meter, my son and I are no wiser. It did start a couple of times at one stage, but turning on anything such as lights / indicators / brakes and it died. Just shows battery and oil light when ignition turned on! Taking out the fuses in the glove box and you get the glow light, and the engine turns on the starter, but no ignition. With the battery disconnected there is a pd of 12.52 volts between the -ve of the battery and the chassis. Phil

Hi MrH

I suggest you first find out what type of wiring arrangement you have for the negative side of the battery, by visual inspection and tracing. The most likely setup for this vintage is a thick cable direct from the starter motor body/engine block to the battery negative, which takes all the return current from the starter when it's turning the engine over. Part way along this cable is a "side branch" crimp lug which connects it to the body/chassis. It's quite possible for this lug to have a corroded/bad connection, from cable to lug and/or lug to body/chassis. This won't affect current flow along the main cable, so the starter will turn OK, but WILL upset any other electrical circuits which rely on a return connection via the body (e.g. lights to name but one). Best to work your way along both battery cables and treat each joint as guilty until checked/cleaned/tightened and proved innocent.


If you want to test a connection with a voltmeter, put the meter probes either side of it whilst current is passing. Any measurable voltage drop above say 0.01 volts (i.e. essentialy zero) is a sign of a bad joint.

I second the advice given above by Anthony489.

The battery earthing connections described by Anthony match that on my 2006 x244 2.8 JTD, where the main chassis earth point is below the battery, and forward of the RH engine mounting on the RH front wheel arch.

If this earth point is not sound, there may be insufficient voltage to operate the immobiliser, and fuel cut off solenoid on the injection pump.

Regarding the possible earth fault, your voltage reading on the disconnected battery negative may be due to the high sensitivity of modern multimeters, which will give a plausible reading through a considerable resistance. If the earthing connections are in good condition, you may wish to repeat your test with a small 12V bulb instead of the multimeter.

Thanks very much both for getting back to me so quickly! We did track through to where the cable tees off from the main earth, and surprisingly this was clean! With all the fuses back in, there is absolutely nothing going on when the key is turned. I will try the test again with a bulb - we're having another look next week so shall keep you posted. Phil

Hi MrH

That connection may look clean, but to be absolutely sure its OK I suggest the following test. Put one probe of your voltmeter on the negative post of the battery, and the other on a good clean connection to the body. Then try turning on the headlights. If you see any measurable voltage between body and battery negative, the "side branch" earth connection is suspect.

The other thing which can lead to interaction between multiple seemingly unrelated electrical items is the common feed to them from the positive side of the battery. That would include everything except the thick main feed to the starter, as that appears to be OK from what you have described. The ignition/starter switch is not above suspicion.