Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 17:27:02 -0800
Reply-To: andrew swingler <andys@ECE.UBC.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: andrew swingler <andys@ECE.UBC.CA>
Subject: Re: HELP QUICK! NOT STARTING
In-Reply-To: <388FB394.B971FDC6@sentrymicro.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Gina,
I think I have experienced this problem before. Cranking the starter over
is the most demand the battery is ever faced with. If there is a high
resistance contact between the battery and the battery clamp connector the
symptoms would be as you described. 1) a large voltage is dropped across
the bad contact resulting in your CD player only receiving 12V-the drop.
2) The worse the contact the larger the drop and the weaker the starter
will turn over.
If the battery clamps are loose the problem can be intermittent as you
described. If the clamps are tight there can still be a high resistace
contact caused by corrosion.
I don't think it can be starter or alternator related by what you have
said. Clean and reattach battery clamps even of they are tight. Check for
loose wires that feed into the clamps. Since your van started up fine
eventually the battery
probably is not the problem. BUT if your van stalls all the time and you
are always restarting there is nothing like a fresh battery.
good luck....
Andy S
Vancouver
On Wed, 26 Jan 2000, Gina wrote:
> Hi Listees,
>
> This is Not the time of the year to be putting around the engine
> compartment...its COLD here in NH and tonite my vanagon left me
> sitting...not to restart.
>
> Earlier symptoms of the day: (yesterday she purred like a kitten in the
> middle of s now storm)
>
> *started fine in the morning @ around 15degrees F - ran rough (my usual
> surging problems)
> *started up fine at the end of day, again around 15 degrees F - ran
> rough and stalled at every intersection (yeah, my usual idle problem,
> engine cold, on a humid day too...mann i'm tired of playing with the gas
> pedal)
> *VERY STRANGE - at an intersection i was restarting (it has Always
> started right back up again) my cd player cut out momentarily when i
> cranked the engine - the reason this is strange is the fact that my
> radio is hot wired on a constant lead and continues running no matter
> what.
> *parked at post office - came back out, engine wouldn't crank...single
> turn of the crankshaft maybe - real real slow...you could call it not
> cranking at all really
> *turned key off, tried it twice more...same slow, almost no crank
> *waited about 90 seconds and tried again...slow no crank, held the key
> on anyway...then nice fast crank, she starts right up and im off.
> *get home (Yesss she brought me back to my driveway, Good girl) tried to
> restart, same no-cranking
> *noted on the way home that the headlights were not dim at all
> *further notes, oil light has been coming on lately, (dont know if this
> is relevant, just thought id mention it) steady on, not blinking, as
> soon as i take my foot off the gas pedal...am currently down half a
> quart (valve covers rusted through) but has been doing the same even
> when topped off. At zero degrees F she sat for 4 days, i couldnt get
> her started and charging didnt help.
>
> starter? loose wire or cable? Please help me folks...this is my daily
> vehicle and getting to my wits end real fast. I dont know my way around
> the engine well yet even in the daylight...so specifics on your
> suggestions are most appreciated.
>
> thank you Thank you
> gina
> 85 vanagon gl
> 118,985 miles
>
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