Date:         Fri, 24 Mar 2000 09:58:34 -0700
Reply-To:     "Blake C. Thornton" <thornton@MATH.UTAH.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Blake C. Thornton" <thornton@MATH.UTAH.EDU>
Subject:      Accident problems - melted wiring?
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

If you remember, a while back I got hit in the back and got my van all
fixed up.  Or so I thought.

Yesterday, my van just died on me.  It had absolutely no power.  There
was absolutely no response from the throttle.  The engine was moving, but
not very fast.  I couldn't believe that it was actually running.  But it
was dead- it wouldn't move.

I didn't have time to look at it then, but last night I went to take a
look at it and tried to start it and it started.  So I let it run and
went and poked around in the engine compartment.  Oh yeah, its an 84.
Anyhow I find that the heat shield that covers the muffler is not
attached to the rear of the van and there is a 2-3 inch gap between the
shield and the rear sheet metal.  There is wiring that is supposed to (I
think it is anyhow) lay on top of this heat shield and my wires have
fallen and the outer sheath that protects a large group of wired is
scorched.  So, I crack the sheath and look at the wires and look OK.  Not
melted, but the sheath is all black and screwed up.

Anyhow, I pull the wires up from the muffler and strap them to something
to keep them from dangling and drive off.  I made it a few blocks before
I start having the same symptoms, but now its a bit more intermitant: no
response, no power.  I do make it home.

So, I'm thinking that even though the heat did not melt the wires
completely through, I think the wires have some shorts in them.  Thus,
when I step on the throttle, the the air flow meter is not able to tell
the ECU to feed the engine gas, therefore no repsonse.

Anyone buy this theory?
Anyone have a different one?

If I am right, I need to replace these wires.
Do I need a completely new wiring harness or can I get by with a splice?
Could this have screwed anything else up?

I am going to do my best to make the shop pay for this, but we'll see if
I am assertive enough.

Thanks for any opinions on this matter,

Blake
84 westy
Salt Lake City