Date:         Sat, 24 Feb 2001 12:03:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: bizarre electrical problem (kinda urgent)
Content-type: multipart/alternative;

Nearly a guarantee that the battery connections are corroded or loose.  Bet the battery was disconnected when the load reduction relay was installed (shoulda been anyway).  That probably disturbed an already marginal connection.  Very light draw, like interior lights or digital clock won't cause a problem. Large draw like the starter, causes the battery connection to say, "nope, can't do that" and it shuts everything down.  I have been able to get started in emergencies like this by just tapping on these connections with a rubber mallet. That moves it enough to recreate the connection.  It really needs to be removed and cleaned with sandpaper, degreaser, and if acid etched (see white fluffy corrosion?) with baking soda.
Good luck.

Gary
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Don Hundt
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 10:25 AM
  Subject: bizarre electrical problem (kinda urgent)


  Hi all,
  I have an 82 diesel (converted to 83 gti) with a strange problem. when I tried to start it this morning,it turned over normally for a moment, then stopped. next attempt I got a click click click click from the back, then all of a sudden nothing worked. No lights, no radio, etc. I tried turning it over again, very weak glow from idiot lights. waited a few seconds, tried again, Click, nothing, a repeat of the first attempt. here is the strange part- on a couple of attempts, my stereo turned itself on. The stereo is always hot, have to turn it off manually, so it was definitely hot. I had thought earlier his week I had noticed a little lag time between turning the key and the actual start, also one day I got into it, started fine, but all my radio preset were wiped clean.

  This van has't had many electrical problems, I am stumped. I did have to replace the load reduction relay a couple weeks ago, but other than that.....
  Could it be the ignition switch, my gti fuel pump relay, internal short in the battery? any ideas? this car is my only transportation, so any help would be appreciated.
  Don

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