Hopefully I'll get some feedback here... I picked up a 1987 B250 Xplorer Camper Van. It has an electrical problem, cranks but won't start.

No power to dash with the key turned to ON. Blowers work, and some of the cabin lights, but no dash lights and no radio. Cranks and the "brake" light in the speedo lights up but that's it.

Ordered an ignition switch... seems like the most likely culprit. I don't think it has TBI, so I don't think it has an ASD. Waiting for the repair manual to arrive, I'm assuming this switch is on the column? Any tricks to replacing it or suggestions about what else might be causing this?

 

Actually a more likely (and less expensive) culprit is a burnt fusible link that powers the ignition switch.

 

The burnt link would cut power to the dash?

 

It would cut power to the ignition switch so that when you turn the switch on the dash would remain dead.

 

But allow power to cabin lights and cranking? The light by the fuse panel in the glove box is on, for example.

 

All are different circuits. There are 2 ignition circuits, both fed by fusible links. If one is good and one is not, then some items controlled by the ignition switch (like cranking) will work while others will not (like gauges).

 

I'll check them when I get back to the vehicle. You just cut open the bundle behind the booster, correct? Also, do you know if the ASD relay is specific to fuel injected vehicles?

 

Correct
and
Yes (fuel injection and throttle body injection)

 

Going to mess around with it tonight... anything to look out for other than fusible links and the ignition switch?

 

It could also be wiring or connectors but I'd start with those two.