no power to cranking wire at starter - WB V8 autp

[Vombil]

Sounds like the starter motor or auto cutout circuit to me. Does the electrical circuit pull current when the key is turned to start? If you can detect a volt drop (via dash gauge or multi meter), then you might have a dodgy start solenoid contact? One sure method is to see if 12VDC appears on the start wire at the solenoid when the key is turned.

there is no 12V at start wire when cranking mate (there is power at pink and red at main loom connection in the engine bay when ignition is ON). other thing i should have mentioned is that temp and fuel gauges are staying powered up even with ignition off. they will only stop reading when I disconnect battery. it has one of those cheap ass starter motors on it.