1994 850 T5 Major electrical fault no power anywhere

wigbatt · Post by **wigbatt** » 10 Apr 2015, 13:44

Hi all, I do hope someone can help me.

My 1994 850 T5 Saloon was working fine and whilst getting it ready for the summer (the only time it comes out the garage) I decided to test the lights, pulled the main beam on and the engine stopped and all the dash went off. I disconnected the battery for a few minutes and re-connected it, the courtesy lights came on and the LCD display on the dash too, I then turned the ignition on and everything went off again. Tried the same again, disconnect the battery for a few minutes, then reconnect, this time not a sausage!

The battery is brand new from my shop, so I can rule that out. The ignition switch has been a bit iffy for years, once the engine is started you need to turn the key back a bit so that the electrical system will engage and the lights turn on and ABS light goes off. The indicator stalk when flashing the lights was worn out too, indicators work fine but when pulling the stalk towards you slightly to flash your main beam, that has stopped working and only puts the beam on 'full time'. It was at this time that the electrical system failed.

So, I want to replace those two components as I knew they were faulty anyway, but I am sure that after removing the ignition switch, which I have done, I would still have some power somewhere, eg. courtesy lights, radio etc.., but I have nowt! I know there is also a 'Main Relay' behind the radiator, but is this likely to have burned out?

Any help with this matter will be so gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance,

Craig.

Post by **shaker_chi** » 10 Apr 2015, 20:45

Get yourself a tester and start at the battery and work your way to the fuse box. Take a look at the main fuse box. You will need to remove the torx screws to get the cover off.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Apr 2015, 05:49

Evaluate both positive and earth battery cables first. There is an earth under the battery that often goes bad after 20 years..remove and take it to shiny metal, then replace bolt tight.

A main power loose screw going to the fuse box would also fit the symptoms perfectly, so have a butchers there, too.

And greetings from a displaced Dudley-ite here in NY....