Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 04:08:29 +0100
Reply-To: Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Subject: Re: Alternator not charging/ solenoid meltdown
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I also seem to remember strict warnings (cant remember where) that you must
never ever disconnect the battery when the engine is running. I don't know what
can happen, as I've never tried it. It is supposedly damaging to the alternator.
PerL
87 Syncro 112i
Karl Wolz wrote:
> I kinda remember in the old days, driving a truck with the battery
> disconnected, but that was carbureted and non-electronic ignition, etc. I
> think if you disconnect the battery in a Vanagon, you've disconnected the FI
> system.
>
> Yeah, I'm as groggy as you.
>
> Karl Wolz
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 9:50 PM
> Subject: Re: Alternator not charging/ solenoid meltdown
>
> > Sorin, I'm kinda tired so this might not be right, but I am pretty sure
> that
> > if you unhook the negative battery terminal when the engine is running on
> any
> > van that it will kill the motor. Why? Because you have just opened up
> the
> > return path in the circuit. All of the electricity going to the motor has
> to
> > have a ground and you just unhooked it. So no wonder it dies (normal).
> > The problem you were having with the "solenoid" (which is actually called
> a
> > coil) was really unrelated to your charging problem. When coils go bad
> they
> > poop out black tar which insulates the coils inside from each other.
> > Eventually even tar will come out to allow the coils to touch which would
> > either kill your ignition or make the spark so weak that it wouldn't
> start.
> > The best way to check your charging system is with a multimeter between
> the
> > two terminals of the battery. Check it when the van is not running.
> Start
> > up the van and see what it is putting out then. Should be around 13.6
> > volts-14 volts. Higher or lower can mean problems.
> > Hope this helps you.
> >
> > Ken Wilford
> > http://www.vanagain.com
> > John 3:16
> > Office (856)-765-1583
> > Shop (856)-327-0027
> > Fax (856)-327-2242
> >
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