Electrical Issue with 1997 FZJ70

[LDowney]

The Cruiser is a 1997 FZJ70.

When I turn the key, nothing comes to life (none of the indicator lights come on and she won't turn over). The head lights work fine.

My thought was battery cables/connections. So I cleaned the battery posts/connections; confirmed that all the fuses were good; confirmed continuity across the fusible links. I replaced the ground cable and the connector to the positive battery post because their condition was suspect.

The lack of life remained after these actions. This clearly is indicating that I am looking in the wrong direction. What am I missing?
Thanks in advance

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

In old age, the contacts in the ignition cylinder and the wiper/indicator switches lose continuity and carbon builds up in their contacts.

Some contacts have carbon build up. Others are fatigued and do not close the circuit. A cleanup and a plier twist can help, respectively, but not for long.

It may be time to replace the ignition cylinder. It is worth checking the ignition circuit and the wipers/lights switch contacts as well. This area is the target of choice of creative alarm installers.






Juan

 

[LDowney]

Thanks Juan for the help. Since the 70 has ~109k Km, it seemed unlikely that the switch would have enough cycles on it to be causing issues (or at least I hoped). So I started over at the battery reviewing and testing all connections before getting into the steering column and dash. On re-examination, one of the links had tape on it which implied it had been an issue before and received some attention. I re-checked continuity of the link and it showed good, but I made a new link to eliminate doubt. Re-assembled and worked flawlessly. So I guess the lesson to me is be very attentive to what appears to be prior repairs/work