No gauges and van won't start

Get underneath, locate the starter, there should be a positive wire that leads back to the battery. Uncapp it connect your positive external source to it, then negative to the body..this should allow you to unlock the doors and by extension your bonnet....all the best..

check all wiring around starter to see if you pinched 1 or 1 is grounding against starter.
can not add more because you not state make an model

Hello, It sounds to me that you have a hot wire from the battery hooked up to the starter solenoid by mistake.

Fixed Problem (it was my van) no power to ignition wire at starter. Replaced Ignition lock cylinder. just worn down. (Delivery van 50-60 starts a day). 160k miles.

I would like to say use a rock a hammer, a locksmith, or spare keys but I have done this enough times to know how not funny that can be while you are locked out.

Unfortunately with new vehicles they have various anti theft devices built in. Some are rather subtle like the door lock knobs being smooth so you cannot get a grip on them with a coat hanger wire and so on. Without causing damage your options are really quite limited. If you had a window open a inch or two you can use a coat hanger to get the keys out of the ignition by hooking the keyring and getting it outside. Other than that you will not be able to unlock the doors unless you have electric locks and can hit the unlock with the button. Past this simple thing you would have to make a tool called a jimmy which most locksmiths or towtruck or aa drivers might have. Short of busting a window you only other non damaging options are to call AA or a locksmith or talk to the towtruck companies if they can open it for you. This might cost a bit to get it opened but there won;t be any damage other than a bit of pride. This also can be the fastest way in. Even the coat hanger trick will take a lot of time unless you get lucky right away.

I actually have 4 sets of keys for my Ford. Rumour has it that I may have locked myself out once or twice ;-]

does the key turn all the way to start with no resitance if so the ignition switch is bad, I had the same problem a while back with a 1993 dodge caravan

I had to do this alot for students at the school. If u have a metal coat hanger bent it so its long and go to the top right corner of the door and pray it open and use a rap or somthing so u dont scratch it most of the time u can get enough room to fish the hanger though and press the unlock button. it the hanger is to weak to do it use a steel break line for a car and bent it so u can get it in. thats the way iv always done it hope i helped

does this van have one of those starter keys below the steering wheel under the dash?
if so the plug is out or not all the way in.

other wise you will need to jump start test the starter manualy down on the starter itself.

there is one small gauge wire going to the starter and and large gauge wire coming from the battery .unplug the small one and put a test light on the wire and turn the key to test for power.then test at the starter turn key off .

now cross the little side to the big side on the starter .there will be a spark but this should cause the starter to engage if its working ok.


using a few of these tests should fix this one ok.
if you dont turn the key off when testing the starter the only thing that will happen is the engine may start running on you.
make sure the brake is on and in park.


hope this helps out.
keep me posted

thank you
jm

Hello Sir,

as u say, the problem symtoms are those when there is battery problem, maybe its low.

or else, whenever if u have locked ur car with the remote control center locking system n then opened the door with with the tradition keys, then ur car wont respond to any of ur keys untill u unlock it using the remote.


I am sure the problem lies with the battery.

or maximum there will be a wire loose connection.


thank u sir, if u feel my solution is worth reading then plz vote m/ rate me.

thank u sir

you can try a couple of things put the key in the drivers door lock manually lock and unlock the door
with it unlocked try starting the car if that doesn't work disconect the battery turn the key on then hook up the battery and try to start it also check your owners manual about the alarm
good luck!!