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Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:16 pm

I have a starting issue with my 77 bus. The issue is that it won't start:) It has absolutely no power going through it. Lights, radio, starter, nothing! I have no idea where to begin because it seems like a wiring (?) issue. I turn the key, and nothing, and I mean NOTHING happens. I finally was able to push it up into my shop and get it on blocks, and don't see anything out of the ordinary. I thought maybe some mice got in there over the winter and chewed a line or something, but I don't see anything. The last time it fired up was february, and I had to jump it then. THe battery is brand new and fully charged. I am so green at these and have no idea what to do. Any thoughts?

Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:44 pm

check the battery terminals and make sure the ground has a solid connection to the body.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:52 pm

First thing I would do is replace both battery cables and make sure all other connection at the starter are clean and tight. You should be able to replace both cables for less than $15.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:51 pm

All the terminals are clean from what I can tell. I should replace them, but I really don't think they are the problem. I have absolutely nothing when I turn the key...no lights, no radio, it is just completely dead. However I checked all the fuses, they are all good and getting continuity , and Like I said the battery is good. I just cleaned and check the starter terminals and still nothing. I am almost thinking, and correct me if I am totally off base here, but perhaps an ignition switch? I figure if I put my key in and turn, and NOTHING happens, perhaps the switch isn't even registering that I put the key in? I don't know, like I said, I know nothing about these. Thoughts?

Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:12 pm

Twist the terminals on the battery back and forth, make sure you've got a good connection.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:17 pm

to test if the switch is bad pull the harness off it from below and jump the terminals in the plastic plug housing. use a wire diagram to figure out which ones to jump.

Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:34 pm

I had this same problem on my previous '66 Kombi. What I found was that the ground strap under neath the bus had come loose. You may want to check that. It was bolted between the transmission and the frame.