project car just fitted new battery no power whatsoever !!

Hi
Has anyone got any idea as to what the problem is , i know its either going to be something real simple or really complicated
hubby has fitted new battery to the car , we have never had any electrics up and working as it had been sitting in a barn for years ,
so basically we have no idea if the wiring has been messed with  other than on inspection it has a second hand passat fusebox , its been rebuilt from the floor up and its got the the electrics stage
as the title says there is no power to dash or anything its as if there isnt a battery connected
please has anyone got any ideas
thanx in advance

Have you checked the battery with a multi meter to check there is some power in the battery you should get about 12 to 13V, just because its new does not mean it works.
Sorry to state the obvious but you have connected the battery the right way round, putting the + positive side on first then the - negative?

Thanks for that.battery is on correct and shows 12v. were just wondering could there be an earth missing from somewere. at the moment its battery _ to body to gearbox mount. Might take it all off and clean it all thinking about it its all bin painted so might not be a good earth..  thanks.

Sorry should of said at the start its a 1.8 gti 1983

should be chunky live and earth wires from the battery to the fusebox area, factory for an 83 the live goes straight to one of the large spades on the rear of the fusebox the earth comes in with the lighting loom and runs to a large white double spade connector with a 4 way spade connector plugged into it. there should be at least 1 brown wire from this to the earth claw(s) above the fusebox and another chunky brown wire from the engine loom white plug to this also

those wires seem to be in order the thick chunky red is live and all the browns earthed. at the moment not all relays are present in the fuse box and most things arent pluged in under the bonnet. (dont know if this makes a diffrenc ) but i thought i would at least get some activity on the dash or even be able to see what works i.e lights indicators etc. the wiring has never been touched its never even had a radio fitted. packing up for tonight gas run out on the heater  in the garage its freezing. will have another look tomorrow. thanks for now.

if its a gti the dash earth runs to the side of the head so if thats off this would explain why dash not lighting up, does the car crank over on the starter at least? there should be a chunky red wire from the ignition switch that plugs into the fusebox next to the main battery live.

depending on what relays are missing some things wont work, have a look at the fuses too maybe some are blown or corroded

83 gti will have the ce1 fusebox:
http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?219775

Have you got a good connection at the battery ? …..recently seen pic's on Facebook where someone had fitted a new battery but not removed the plastic cover from the + pin