Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2000 11:17:30 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject: Re: unusual problem
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Mark Drillock is right in this. When you hear of "cranking amps" that are
provided by a battery, that is it it exactly. That ignition switch circuit
closes, providing power to actuate the main solenoid. When that baby, the
main solenoid, closes, you have full cranking amps directly from the
battery. With the full amperage of a fully charged battery available
directly to the starter, if that wire gets loose or you bump it with
something, contact with the wire will cause a meltdown. Usually all that
happens is a very large arc-n-sparck. If it's your wrench or screwdriver
that made the contact, then you probably burned out a spot of metal on the
tool....and maybe something else.
So be sure you disconnect the wire at the battery.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
John McLean wrote:
> Here's a new one!
> About 2 weeks ago while starting my van in the morning I turned the key
> and the starter engaged but the engine didn't
> light right up so I turned the key back with the intent to try again.
> However instead of the expected silence with the key in the off position
> I heard a loud humming sound coming from the engine compartment. I
> tried turning the ignition key back to the start position but nothing
> happened and the humming continued. I jumped out and went back to
> throw open the back
> hatch and engine cover and have a look but about that time the humming
> stopped. I then got back in the front and tried
> the ignition switch again and the engine started right up as usual.
>
> I thought it might be a one time anomaly but then a couple days ago the
> same thing occurred when I came out of a store
> in town. I immediately jumped out and ran back to have a look. I got
> the lid off the engine and listened carefully.
> It turned out to be the starter motor spinning. I put my hand on it
> and could feel the thing spinning away. It was not engaged
> or grinding ; just spinning away. It continued for maybe 2 or 3
> minutes and I was thinking about disconnecting the battery when again
> it stopped and I was able to start the engine and go on my way.
>
> My question is :
> Does the power to the starter motor come entirely through the ignition
> switch thereby indicating my switch is bad?
> Or, is there a source of power to the starter motor independant of the
> ignition switch which may indicate an
> intermittent sticking contact. (note that the solenoid was not engaged
> during this phenomenon)
>
> Thanks,
> John McLean 87 Vanagon GL
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