Electrical gremlins??

[Mr Sheen]

Got strange problem and not entirely sure what's going on with my car ('96 T5)

I think it's electrical, here's what happened.....

Drove home from work, all ok. Stopped at home, switched car off. Unplugged trailer,
went to move car and it wouldn't start. It didn't try and turn over, nothing from starter. Dash lights all on as normal.
Switched ignition off. Turned ignition back on, this time only SRS and oil light came on. (The oil light stays on dim, even with keys out of ignition!)
Still nothing from starter. I can here the fuel pump priming. I've checked all the fuses, re-seated all relays. Still the same.
I have a code reader, but says no faults.

If I unplug battery for 10 mins, the plug it back in, then try to start, the dash lights come on as "normal" and I get
a click from the starter. Switch off and try to start only the SRS and oil light comes on. Weird!
Also the central locking now sometimes works or just flashes the indicators and doesn't lock.

Suspect the wiring for the tow bar might be doing some strange ££££. Will investigate tomorrow, too dark now.

Any pointers or things to check would be gratefully appreciated. Cheers.

[merc85]

Sounds like it could be a dud battery, have you tried jump starting it?

[oblark]

Could it be the solenoid on the starter motor.

[Mr Sheen]

Yeah tried jumping it, but nothing. Got battery on charge now. Will see if it's holding charge.

Tried rocking in gear to free starter, didn't have hammer to ££££ it.

Working today, so it'll be tonight before get anything done on it.

[stribo]

Check your earth strap as well.

[jdavis]

I'd say probably an earthing fault or dead battery

[Mr Sheen]

Battery fine, if it ever stops raining, I'll check the earth's.

[Mr Sheen]

Found broken earth wire from battery negative to gearbox (thick blue wire).
Not had chance to replace it, job for tomorrow.

[volvokid]

Glad it looks like a simple fault find