Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2001 12:21:02 -0600
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: starter/ignition weird]
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Larry Alofs wrote:
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: starter/ignition weird
> Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 22:09:53 -0600
> From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@enteract.com>
> To: EVEHART33@AOL.COM
> References: <21.5fd09f0.279112d7@aol.com>
>
> Ken Hunter wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 01/12/2001 2:19:05 PM Mountain Standard Time,
> > eddebolt@NETZERO.COM writes:
> >
> > << at bus-boys.com I have seen a inexpensive
> > ignition bypass kit that is supposed to direct more current straight thru to
> > the starter motor. I thought it wa >>
> >
> > I have installed this relay (available for about $7 at your local FLAPS) on
> > my 61, 70, and 71 T2 baywindows curing my weird starting problems after
> > ruling out my starter, battery, cables, ign switch and grounds. On my 82
> > Westy I installed the relay out of habit but noticed that the starter/ign
> > wire seemed larger (8g vs 10g) than on my older vans.Maybe VW addressed the
> > problem? If all else fails it still might do the trick.
> >
> > Ken Hunter
> > 82 Westy 1.9D
> > 84 Jetta 1.5D
>
> I have had starter/solenoid problems on a 76 Bus, 80 Vanagon, and 84 Vanagon.
> Typically after 2 hours at speed on a long trip, the starter would not activate
> at all
> when the engine was warm. Ad hoc solutions included:
> parking on a hill,
> getting everyone (grandma included) out of the car to push,
> and in the case of automatic transmission:
> crawling under the van to tap the starter with a hammer while the spouse
> held the
> key in the start position or
> connecting wires to the battery terminal and the control terminal on the
> solenoid,
> bringing them up thru the back seat, and having a child connect them
> momentarily
> at the crucial moment.
>
> Extensive testing both in-car and on the bench convinced me that the voltage
> delivered to the solenoid by the wire from the ignition switch was marginally
> just
> enough to activate things when everything was in good condition. If any
> additional
> resistance was present for various reasons, ...no go. Changing solenoids did
> not usually help for long. I installed relays on all three cars. The problem
> recurred on
> the 84 however. I finally realized that the solenoid circuit is grounded thru
> the
> windings of the starter itself and if the brushes, etc. are not making good
> contact,
> the solenoid may not operate. A rebuilt starter solved the problem on that car,
> at
> least until I sold it. So far no problem of this type on the 91.
>
> Larry Alofs
> Chicago
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