Mk6 transit panel van 280SWB won't start electric haywire!!!

[MelB2020]

Hey guys hope someone can help this is driving me nuts!!!!!!
So I have a 55 plate 2.0 diesel van description above. So the battery was removed to do some welding . Battery then went flat, so I fully charged it. Now when I've reattached the battery the ignition lights come on , there is a relay clicking in the fuse box ( engine compartment) .
When I try to start it ignition lights go off even the odometer , the door locks work on there own . No power to start, the engine doesn't turn over . Got no idea where to start. Advise please . I'm ready for pull my hair out

[MelB2020]

Hey guys hope someone can help this is driving me nuts!!!!!!
So I have a 55 plate 2.0 diesel van description above. So the battery was removed to do some welding . Battery then went flat, so I fully charged it. Now when I've reattached the battery the ignition lights come on , there is a relay clicking in the fuse box ( engine compartment) .
When I try to start it ignition lights go off even the odometer , the door locks work on there own . No power to start, the engine doesn't turn over . Got no idea where to start. Advise please . I'm ready for pull my hair out

ANYONE~~~~~
ANYONE~~~~~
ANYONE~~~~~????

[knobby1]

Hey guys hope someone can help this is driving me nuts!!!!!!
So I have a 55 plate 2.0 diesel van description above. So the battery was removed to do some welding . Battery then went flat, so I fully charged it. Now when I've reattached the battery the ignition lights come on , there is a relay clicking in the fuse box ( engine compartment) .
When I try to start it ignition lights go off even the odometer , the door locks work on there own . No power to start, the engine doesn't turn over . Got no idea where to start. Advise please . I'm ready for pull my hair out

ANYONE~~~~~
ANYONE~~~~~
ANYONE~~~~~????

Poorly earth somewhere...?? Is the battery actually ok..?? Have you had it properly load tested..?? Fuse in the earth strap by the driver's seat ok..?? All other earths ok..??

Lord Knobrot

[Altransit]

.................. or is it the 'classic' faulty ignition switch

[MinorMatt]

Or... could it be chafed wiring in the starter motor area (or am I thinking of something different?)

[ned]

Where about a on the van was the welding done?

If it’s the chassis legs in the engine bay has the earth strap been put back on?

And you are correct Mr Matt sir they do rub through there that’s why I rerouted it on my van

[MelB2020]

So bit of an update people, the battery was pretty old anyway (old type not a sealed unit). Bought a new battery, now the engine cranks but still will not start. The electric display still playing silly beggars, odometer not displaying etc.
Welding was done around inner wheel arches , sills inner & outside. Bought a new ignition switch fitted that makes no difference.

ANY FURTHER IDEAS MUCH APPRECIATED & YES I AM SHOUTING WAS CONSIDERING JUST FIRING IT UP SO I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT LOL

[Brains_transit]

Wiring damaged in the front exactly where the welding was done on the passenger side if all the problems started after the welding

[andz327]

Like brains suggested burnt wiring at passenger inner wing, or earth wires removed in inner wings prior to welding not refitted or broken wires where they've been pulled about out way of welding

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[MelB2020]

Well, all wiring earths have been checked nothing damaged or not reattached after welding. Today brand new symptom hubby tries the van again, no power at all no dash lights no attempt to starts nada nothing.
So the main power point in the engine bay ( where you can jump start) no power here either .
So today the large red cable that goes from engine bay to the battery has been tested , if the hubby arcs the negative battery pole to the steel frame all electrics comes back on but the socket bar is getting hot glowing in fact.
This can obviously lead to a fire, does this bit of info make any other ideas / cures spring to mind???
Driving me up the wall this problem. Pure out of ideas

[Brains_transit]

It sounds like the fusible link in the earth from the battery to the floor has gone. Unbolt the earth lead from the floor and remove it and check for continuity

[MelB2020]

Thanks for that Brains_transit have changed the fusible link . I now have power but the transit still wont start. Also has a new starter motor as the 1 that came off mine was knackered looking. Any other ideas or info now I have power???

[Altransit]

Thanks for that Brains_transit have changed the fusible link . I now have power but the transit still wont start. Also has a new starter motor as the 1 that came off mine was knackered looking. Any other ideas or info now I have power???

Check the glow plug fusible link wire, (it runs from the jump point to the glow plugs), because if the glow plugs are shorted out, which they often are, the short makes the link wire hot and robs power from the starter circuit

[MelB2020]

Will have a look at this fusible link for glow plug next , can this be removed / disconnected? Would it make the glow plug dash symbol flash?? Thanks Mel

[Altransit]

Will have a look at this fusible link for glow plug next ,

can this be removed / disconnected? YES

Would it make the glow plug dash symbol flash?? NO

Thanks Mel