Date:         Sat, 20 Jan 2001 08:24:41 -0600
Reply-To:     Jason Stevenson <jstv4man@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jason Stevenson <jstv4man@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Wierd Electrical Gremlins
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Please help!
I have a 1984 Vanagon, and I had a really strange thing happen on my way home from work yesterday.  I went around a corner near my house, and was accellerating up the hill, when, suddenly, ALL of my electrics went dead (even the radio, which isn't on the ignition circuit).  Naturally, this killed the spark to the engine as well, so I coasted to a stop at the side of the road.  I turned the key off, waited a few seconds, then tried to start it.  The electrics came back on, and the engine tried to crank, but wouldn't.  I then got out, went to the back, and looked over the engine compartment to see if anything looked amiss.  It didn't.  I then went back up, and tried to restart it.  After a few tries, it fired right up, and motored the rest of the way home with no problems whatsoever.
My question is this:  what should I be looking for, and where should I start to try to diagnose this?  Has anyone else on the list had this happen?  I would almost suspect a problem with the battery or ignition switch, but I may be on the totally wrong track there.
I would appreciate any advice anyone on the list could give me.  Thanks in advance.

-Jason Stevenson


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