1987 205 diesel ignition problem

[alfieB]

Recently aquired this low mileage car (lhd)- previous owner replaced the complete ignition switch assembly, (due to faulty barrel)with another 2nd hand one. Just popped round the corner in it, and now it won't start - there is no voltage going to the solenoid from the ignition switch. (If I short the solenoid contacts, it starts imediately) I've checked behind the radio, and don't seem to have a K38 relay. Is there anything else between the switch and the solenoid? I still have the original complete assembly, and presume that the switch contacts are good, so if that is the problem, I guess I could swap them over, but need to check its not something else, first!

And how do I get the switch out?
vehicle type 12412511

 

[television]

There is no K38 on a 124,, do you have any form of alarm on the car

 

[alfieB]

No, no alarms fitted.

 

[alfieB]

All the other switch positions work correctly. and the heaters and indicator work fine, so either a fuse/relay, or the final switch contacts, perhaps? Anything else in circuit?

Any info welcome, Alfie

 

[alfieB]

Perhaps, if no-one is sure what else is in line between the ignition switch and solenoid, if anyone has a link to look at the wiring diagram, I may be able to work it out myself?
Thanks, Alfie

 

[television]

I am out of time today alfie,, but I will try and see what I can find in the morning

 

[alfieB]

Thanks very much , Malcolm, all appreciated. (I realise how much time you spend helping us all out!)
regards Alfie

 

[roofless]

when you short the solenoid if its the two large wires you are bypassing the solenoid switch so it might still be the soleniod at fault or a poor conection at or in line to the solenoid

 

[alfieB]

Thanks for the tip, roofless; I shorted the incoming 12v from the battery, to the small terminal (the switched operating input to the solenoid), thus operating the solenoid? So the solenoid is working; it just isn't getting an operating voltage. So, as you say, its something in the line between the switch and the solenoid, or the switch itself. I think at present I'm trying to determine if there IS anything in line between the switch and the solenoid, before accessing the ignition switch. (and at present, I don't know how to get the switch out!) Alfie

 

[roofless]

is the car a automatic if so then it might be the starter inhibitor switch that stop you starting in gear

 

[alfieB]

Its manual 5 speed.

 

[roofless]

no sure on the manual but on mine at the battery area i have this black plug with the small wire for the starter ect it might be the prob needing a clean if not its a good place to test as it will narrow down the search .see photo

 

[alfieB]

Its a 5 speed manual - any other inhibitors/safety cut-outs/fuses you can think of?
Thanks for the suggestion, Alfie

 

[alfieB]

Thanks roofless, I'll have a look, but seem to remember the small wire to the solenoid disappears in to the sleeving with the large cable from the battery, and it then passes through the engine compartment bulkhead, where presumably it goes to the ignition switch, or whatever lies between! regards Alfie

 

[roofless]

no not on a manual that i know of. the violet colour wire is the one for the solenoid i think your best bet is to trace & test to find the fault

 

[alfieB]

Guess I'll have to start by taking out the ignition switch. Any ideas how to attack that? How do I get the panel off that curves under, below the steering wheel?

 

[roofless]

its a lot of work to remove that part as you need to pull off the plastic trim round the ign switch & at the light switch ect & unbolt it.i would start at the starter side & work back it might save a lot of work

 

[alfieB]

Unfortunately, as I said; from the solenoid, the wire disappears in the sleeving,straight through the engine compartment bulkhead, so looks like I'll have to start stripping out to get to the ignition switch. Any tips for getting out the plastic trim panel around the switch?

 

[television]

When tracing wires back you do not have to strip it all out.

You can get to the wires at the rear of the switch,, what I do is to get a pin and push it through the plastic insulation and hook the test lead slip onto the pin, then its easy to see if the wire is live when you turn the key, gust do this on the wires that leave the switch, and you can soon find the one that is the starter motor wire

 

[television]

here is a bit more

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.413&CT=F&cat=15S&SID=54&SGR=030&SGN=02