Radio Clicking

[expresso bongo]

I'm now more or less convinced that the radio clicks are the sound of a diode pack being destroyed. I think there's an intermittent short somewhere on the van. When it's shorting, it knocks the voltage down which causes the radio to drop off. It all happens very rapidly (the radio is only off for a fraction of a second). Perhaps that's why no fuse has blown. I don't see how you can pull enough current to kill the diodes without a fuse blowing somewhere; goodness knows where to start looking!
E.B.

[Northern Bongolow]

check the 100amp fuse next to the starter batt. the blue one. or the internals of the starter motor as the starter isnt covered by a fuse, there is a recon kit for this.

[expresso bongo]

The 100 amp fuse is intact.
The starter motor operates normally and it disengages after start-up. If it continued to run after start-up I suspect I would notice.
I've replaced the starter motor contacts myself (twice), the last time was several years ago. The problem wasn't staying on, but failing to crank.
Can you tell me what you think might be wrong there?

[Northern Bongolow]

ive had a 2 year mystery on mine that showed as an anomeonmely(problem) and could not get to the bottom of it.
this weekend ive been looking at another with a 12 month problem that keeps drawing a large current, melting the 100amp fuse, or just getting it really hot and distorting it badly, then stops for a while, its had 2 alternators, neither had failed outright but were changed as a precaution

i spoke to geoff the sparks and he tried to shed some light on it by saying the following.
all circuits except one are covered by fuses so if a large draw was present it would pop the fuse. the only circuit not fuse covered is the starter motor or wiring to it.
im going to check the ignition switch and all wiring to the starter, and swap out the starter. earths seem to be a problem too so will check these also.
check the starter for one badly adjusted terminal, or one worn one.

dont know if this helps any.

[expresso bongo]

Well, the "clicking" is not, it would appear, the diodes being destroyed. I had both alternators repaired (see my thread "alternator failure-no warning light" or somesuch) and it still happens. A tiresome mystery, I think, but after several runs on the new alternator, the clicking still occurs but the alternator output is still good. The hunt continues..........