Mk2 golf gti 8v no power

[patrick_c99]

Hey. I brought a 1990 mk2 golf gti 8v today.
The ignition key turns but the dash doesn't light and there's no power and the engine doesn't turn over.
Has anyone got any ideas what it could be?

Thanks

[Doctle Odd]

Was it running when you bought it?

[patrick_c99]

Nope. Brought it as a repairer. Checked fuses but can't see any blown.

[Doctle Odd]

Hmmm I assume there's power in the battery and the connections are all tight. Do you have a multimeter? Do you have much knowledge of cars in general?

[patrick_c99]

Yeh fairly good with electrics. Just wondering if there's any common causes for these. I'll dig the multimeter out of the van tomorrow and check it. The battery has power and connections seem good

[Doctle Odd]

Does any electrics work? lights, wipers horn etc

[patrick_c99]

Nope. Rear brake lights and the alarm lights. That's about it. Going to try a new batt to make sure but pretty sure that's not it

[Doctle Odd]

Check the ignition switch with a multimeter make sure it's getting power

[patrick_c99]

Will do in the morning.

[patrick_c99]

There's only the one fuse box under the steering wheel isn't there?

[Doctle Odd]

There's probably more under the bonnet I can't recall offhand

[patrick_c99]

Can't see any under there.

[Doctle Odd]

OK. Check if there's power coming to the ignition switch

[patrick_c99]

Got her running. Someone had spliced a sh** alarm/immobiliser into the feed from the ignition go the starter motor and the feed from the ignition to the cluster power. And it had gone fualty, removed and resoldered wires. Starts and runs fine. Now just to find out why I have no indicators or whispers.

[Doctle Odd]

Glad you got her running. The electrics in a car makes me panic but after that it's just a matter of checking things methodically.