Battery charged now won’t start

[Delux]

Hi all, I’ve had my SWB GP mk1 1600 a week. Been starting immediately each day.

Strange thing happened today though. I put the battery on charge overnight as it was getting a little lazy and when I went to start the buggy today it was dead - despite the battery being fully charged at 13.1v. Turned the key in the ignition and nothing happened. No lights, no start. Nada.

It’s weird because it’s started immediately each day this week I’ve had it.

Checked fuses and they’re ok. Got the same voltage as the battery on the starter motor, at the voltage regulator (top two connectors) and at the first input to the fuse box with a 16a fuse (RH fuse looking to front of car - fuse box on bulkhead).

Took the ignition barrel and switch out of the dash and if I put a live feed from battery to the IGN connectors then each of them respond. If I give 12v to the SR connector the starter motors fires. Like wise if I give 12v to the voltage gauge the needle starts to move.

I do not have voltage coming out of the voltage regulator going to the generator.

The red wire coming from the fuse box to the ignition labelled BAT has varying voltage from 0 to 9v but never 13v...

Did I somehow fry something putting my battery on charge with disconnecting the terminals?







Where I removed the fuse to check is where I have battery voltage.



Any advice appreciated I’d love to go for a Sunday drive!

[snoopy]

wrong battery polarity is ok on a dynamo and car with points not electronic ignition.  if you have power to the fuse box that is intermittent check to 2 large spade connectors on the regulator one is battery + the other powers the dash etc the connectors and joints look tired so need a clean up or replacing.
normally the live goes to the light switch then splits to ignition and fuse box but depends who wired the buggy and what is fitted.
ignition switches can and do fail along side the fuses fitted sometimes need a spin to clean the contacts and make a circuit.

[Hugh]

Could you try another battery in case yours is 'voltage only' ?

[Dave DND]

Knowing Buggies, I would always suspect an earth fault first

If you have a jump lead, connect the battery negative to the engine casing and see if symptoms alter

[Delux]

Thank you guys!

I pulled off a various connectors on the voltage reg and beneath the dash, as well as fuses and it sprung back to life! Sunday drive accomplished.

I’ll put another battery on charge to swap out as suggested as startup has become a little lazy. I’ll check voltage when the car is running.

The wiring does look very tired. I’m inclined to consider replacing  the whole lot (Does someone do a complete loom?) and looking at what earths I could find they’re pretty caked in years of muck.

The fuel gauge doesn’t work and neither does the temp gauge so I’m going to need to look into that this week.

[Paul1953]

Re.... New loom... If you want to go down this route and I think it is worth considering  contact CHAD on here. He makes bespoke looms from scratch.  Whatever you do DO NOT buy the aftermarket Buggy Loom... It is utter rubbish..  Good luck with the buggy.

[Manxdavid]

Chad on here or Tod Oliver Davies (Jas Buggies) on Facebook for looms.