Date:         Tue, 11 Jul 2000 12:58:18 MDT
Reply-To:     d t <tinkerman@usa.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         d t <tinkerman@usa.net>
Subject:      Re: [intermiitent ignition problem]
Comments: To: Richard C Welsh <welshcu@PB.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Richard C Welsh <welshcu@PB.COM> wrote:
> I tried to figure out which
> ignition switch wires do what, hoping to jump them with an off-the shelf
switch
> as a test, but i have to learn to read the Bentley Wiring diagrams first.

It's easy (after a bit of leg work and head scraching...:-)
I have the Haynes manual, with some samples of all possible wiring diagrams
(not complete as the Bentley, but still better than nothing and then some. I
think they're actually the same schematics, originally obtained from VW).

If you look at the ignition switch schematic (marked "D" in the schematic)
you'll see it is a 4 pole, 3 position switch (i.e. 4 parallely operated
switches with three positions each).
The three positions are ignition off, run, and start.
In my schematic I can see a short between two positions (run, start) only in
one switch, i.e. all other switches provide +12v only in one position.
1. The input to the switch is unswitched +12V from the fusebox.
2. The output marked "50" (active only in the "start" position) goes to the
starter solenoid, idle stabilizer and Digijet ECU.
3. The output marked "X" (active only in the "run" position) goes to the
lighting switch.
4. The output marked "P" (active only in the "off" position) goes to the
parking light switch.
5. The output marked "15" (active only in the "start" and "run" positions)
goes to the instrument panel, amongst others.

Please note that I have mentioned only the main circuits, you can trace the
schematics further if needed.
I hope I have managed to help you start understand the schematics. I myself
had to scratch my head a bit until I fully understood them. Have their own
logic, unlike standard electrical schematics I'm used to.

good luck!



> 

> also, I'm wondering if the fuel pump is cutting out and starving the engine.
(
> It doesn't sputter, it just shuts down)  does anyone know how to test fuel
> system relays?  might they  overheat and open/close intermittently?
> 

> HAs anyone tackled this problem recently, or have any ideas on what else to
look
> for?


Cheers,
            T-man

(P.S.: appologies if this response came rather late, as I'm
practically swamped with incoming mail...)


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