Thunder 1A no sound

Hello All
Have just picked up a Thunder 1A left handed model. There doesn't appear to be any sound unless I tap the pickups with the amp volume on full. It seems that the guitar volume control works as does the coil tap switch & the pickup selector. 
I did know it wasn't working properly as I got it cheap as a project. Wondering if anyone has any advice/words of wisdom?

Thanks
Andy

Try getting contact cleaner in the selector switch and inside the pots, check the jack socket for corrosion. 
Have a look for obvious short circuits inside the cavity and make sure nothing is touching the circuit board when the plate closes

Thanks. I have given a quick spray with contact cleaner with no change, & the Jack socket appears corrosion free. I'll have another go tomorrow

You should still be getting a response from the passive pickups regardless, but just for the hell of it, have you checked the batteries, especially for corrosion?

I did put fresh batteries in. Does it need batteries all the time? The equaliser switch doesn't switch,  and crackles when I move it.

Nope. The pups are passive and will work like a normal guitar. The batteries are for the boost circuit (AKA the Thunder!). I wanted you to check for corrosion there too.

Corrosion does sound like that is the problem from what you're describing.
As Sgt Vimes has directed contact cleaner is your first line of attack. You'll likely need to use it several times, making sure you're squirting it in the right places and working from inside the control cavity. Work the pots and switches liberally and let dry.

Next step would be checking all the solder joints to make sure they're solid. If anything looks suspicious you can re melt it.

If that fails then you'll need to check the main circuit wiring with a mult-imeter for continuity.
Component replacement would be a final operation.

Well I spent the day spraying contact cleaner, & now all of a sudden the guitar has come to life!! It's not perfect, but it's looking like i might've had a bargain. Thanks.
 Now need to get a new nut & a set of switches. Any suggestions please?

https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp/1md3t6b11m1qe/switch-dpdt/dp/9473670?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Mb3BRCaARIsAPSNGpUrsVXTqKXM2jmyr_OYbaWWlJyUlefDCggFhjmYj1sw83JpeL8APaYaAls_EALw_wcB&gross_price=true&mckv=sk894kdvA_dc

Not sure what circuit you have, but this is the active on/off for the active gain models, I suspect its the same for the active eq too

https://cpc.farnell.com/multicomp/1m41t6b11m1qe/switch-4pdt/dp/SW02871?CMP=i-ddd7-00001003

Thanks Sgt. Vines. The broken eq switch on my guitar only has 6 prongs on the bottom so dont know if it's the wrong one. Do you know if the same company supply the switch for the phase? Only so I dont have to pay £5 post for one switch!

The first link is for the phase switch

Sorry didn't see that link. That one is on/off/on, is that right?

andyp wrote:Well I spent the day spraying contact cleaner, & now all of a sudden the guitar has come to life!! It's not perfect, but it's looking like i might've had a bargain. Thanks.
 Now need to get a new nut & a set of switches. Any suggestions please?

Yesss!

andyp wrote:Sorry didn't see that link. That one is on/off/on, is that right?

On/off/on that's right

Ok thanks. I only checked because the existing, not original, switch is on/on. 
Is the coil switch on/on then?
Sorry for all the questions.

All the switches are on/on The four pole switch is for the original early 80s version with the active gain control, then later more common ones use a 3 pole on/on switch for the active on/off. . I have 3 if you want them, just pm me your address and I'll send them.

Sgt. Vimes wrote:

andyp wrote:Sorry didn't see that link. That one is on/off/on, is that right?

On/off/on that's right

Wrong vime again! It's on/on. It's a 2 position switch not 3....

Thanks for the offer Purge, but Westbone is sorting me out for switches.

Westbone wrote:

Sgt. Vimes wrote:
On/off/on that's right

Wrong vime again! It's on/on. It's a 2 position switch not 3....

Of course it is, don't know what I was thinking. 

Here's the link I should have posted
https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/toggle-switches/0394419/

Thinking! that's a good idea....