No start on "83 Diesel 1.6 Asking for help

[ndorian]

So this was the problem. It was wrapped in elec. tape so I couldn't see. That's the wire going from the battery to terminal 21 in the black box. The wire was spliced or joined with a black wire that completed the run to terminal 21. I am trying to figure out the safest way to run a new 8ga wire from battery to terminal 21. It looks like someone in the past wired the battery/starter more to the '82 specs. Making the run from battery to fuse box with one wire and then putting a wire on pos. post of starter to feed terminal 21 (glow plug relay and a couple other 10ga red, red/wht wires) sounds more better. Really appreciate people's patience with me. I am glad I learned a bit despite all the difficulty.

[?Waldo?]

Great news that you found the culprit!

[ndorian]

Indeed sir. I really need to spend a bit more time reading and learning about the van. I'm going to watch those vids you linked sometime today.

[ndorian]

Holy carp man. With the new wire going from battery to terminal 21 in black box the van started as soon as I turned the key to start. No cranking I swear, it just roared into life. The old wire joint must have been compromised since before I even bought the van. Thank you so much to anyone who gave me advice. All for free!!!!!

[Chillerchill]

Having the same problems with my '83 vanagon 1.9 diesel. Trying to track the problem down. I can start it jumping the solenoids on the starter, cleaned the ground from the battery to the engine it started from the key a couple times but now nothing. The glow plug light doesn't come on anymore, after pulling it out and looking at it, could there be a short in there stopping the connection from the ignition to the starter?

[?Waldo?]

[ndorian]

The glow plug light I'm not sure of, weirdly I am having that issue after installing aftermarket dash circuit board. If you didn't find the issue yet, start with the #8,9 fuse. Check voltage there while you turn the key to on. If all good then go to the engine bay and start checking stuff at the black box. That positive post, #21 was the way I found my issue. Pull all thick wires off post and find the one that connects to the starter or directly to the battery in some cases. Make sure that wire is one solid run to either source. Also have you already swapped out ignition switches? That would be my first goto.