Date:         Tue, 12 Sep 2000 21:48:17 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Marciniak <tmarcini@MAIL.EXECPC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Marciniak <tmarcini@MAIL.EXECPC.COM>
Subject:      How to test starter off the van?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

My van left me stranded at work this week, had it towed home and then began
work on the van.  At first thought I had a bad battery but became
suspicious after two different friends tried to give me a jump without
success.  I even took a battery from my Passat put it in the van still
nothing after I try to start.  About all I could get was a click in the
solenoid (I think).

So I got out the Bentley and followed the logic map for the starter
troubleshooting and came to the conclusion that the starter motor is bad.
Called Bus Depot and expect a new one in the next day or so.

Tonite I decided to remove the starter and just try to activate it on the
bench.  Something my Dad showed me many years ago (like 34 yrs ago) when
shadetree mechanics did their own rebuilds on starters and alternators and
such.  Basically what I was trying to do is construct a mock up of the
circuit on the bench and I was hoping someone could verify my layout of the
circuit.

Now just to be consistent with Bentley there are four terminals on the
Vanagon starter:

Terminal 30---this is positive from the battery, large terminal on solenoid.
Terminal 16---to ignition coil
Terminal 50---connection from ignition/starter switch
   (NOTE:  on my starter Terminal 16 & 50 appear to be connected)
Connection A--For field windings--connects solenoid to field windings

Using a 12V car battery I connected battery positive to Terminal 30.  I
connected battery negative to metal flange on starter (as it would be
grounded on the van).  Next to activate the solenoid and spin the starter
motor I took a jumper wire from terminal 30 and connected it to terminal
50, I expected to at least hear the solenoid click but nothing happened
except a slight hum from the battery when I jumped terminal 30 to 50.

My question is am I correct in assuming that to operate the starter I
should be jumping Terminal 30 to 50?

I was hoping to hear the solenoid at least click since I'm assuming the
starter is shot but instead I got nothing from the solenoid /starter.

I'd appreciate any comments on this, I thought I understood the circuit but
now I'm not sure.

Tim Marciniak
90 Multivan