Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001 11:10:48 -0800
Reply-To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 82 with hot start problem (long saga)
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Laura-
this problem only happens when the engine is hot? What does the repair order
say- I'm trying to find out what the alternator voltage output is and what
the voltage reading is with engine running @3000 rpm and lights, fans
on(load test voltage).
Also the starter-does it crank fast?
If the battery is dead after a long trip that's a possible indication of a
bad alternator or battery. Wires and grounds are another possible reason.
A fully charged battery is a test requirement(12.65 volts).
If you charge it in the vehicle, let it rest for 24 hours(don't run the
engine or charge), and the voltage reading is less that 12.65 volts, say
12.4 volts, then either there is a parasitic draw or the battery is failing.
Bad diodes can reverse battery current flow back into the alternator, which
can suck energy out of the battery.
Test for these possible current drains by disconnecting the battery ground
cable and connecting a test light between the cable end and and the battery
NEG terminal.
If the test light goes on when you have everything off in the system, then
there is a leak somewhere. The way to find it is to disconnect things that
use energy one at a time, starting at the fuse box. Remove only one fuse at
a time.
If removing one of the fuses turns the light out, then the wiring diagram
needs to be studied to see what that fused circuit serves.
For example, I found a coil to a gas heater on a VW bus was wired wrong and
the coil drained the battery-the test light helped find this drain-as soon
as I disconnected the wires to the coil(the coil was warm), the light went
out. I hope this helps you , or your mechanics.
Robert K
1982 Westfalia 2.0 '95 Golf powered(with power steering!)
>From: Laura Olson <laura@ONEOTA.NET>
>Reply-To: Laura Olson <laura@ONEOTA.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: 82 with hot start problem (long saga)
>Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001 09:53:01 -0600
>
>I would guess this subject has been covered sometime, but I flit on and off
>the list as my life allows. This past August, I took a trip from NE Iowa
>to Glacier National Park with three young boys and the family dog in my
>1982 air cooled Westy. Before I left I had a whole new exhaust system
>installed and purchased a new battery, even though my old one was probably
>fine. I bought the battery because I had had some strange starting
>problems three previous times in the Spring and Summer-had a new starter in
>2000. The battery did not solve the problem. As soon as I was 5 hours
>away and stopped for a picnic lunch at a rest stop, the van would not
>start. The three previous times this had happened, it started right up
>with a jump. This tow truck driver tried his battery charger and it didn't
>go, so towed me to an import repair shop in Sioux Falls, where we had to
>spend the night as they couldn't possibly look at it until morning. Oh,
>joy. Of course, it started right up in the morning and I let him put in a
>new ignition switch in case that was burning out. He lent me a battery to
>jump from and off we went. This time, we made it as far as Wall, SD (it
>started after the first two stops for gas) and it wouldn't start. We
>wandered through Wall Drug for two hours hoping it would cool down enough
>to start. No dice-so I got a guy to jump it who sent me to a place in
>Rapid City with German mechanics. The next day, they fixed it!!! They
>checked the drop voltage on everything and replaced the voltage regulator.
>I was wary and didn't turn it off that day until parked for the night in a
>state park outside Thermopolis, WY. I tried to start it again and it
>worked! I was overjoyed. For the next 10 days, the Vanagon was once again
>in my sons' good graces and we drove all over Wyoming and Montana without
>fear of turning it off for gas or hikes or lunch. It was always in the
>90's on this trip. Feeling somewhat cocky, we started home and it started
>happening again, not far from Billings, Montana. I had to have it jumped
>at a gas station, but not in the morning after setting all night. The next
>morning, I thought a short drive (1 hour) to the Little Bighorn Battlefield
>would not cause a problem, but it wouldn't start there either (probably our
>hottest day). The bikers returning from the Sturgis rally were helpful.
>Anyway, I was determined to get back to Import Services in Rapid City. I
>drove without turning it off until the Black Hills, where we spent two
>nights waiting for Monday morning. Took it in Monday morning and they said
>they couldn't look at it until Wednesday so I said screw it, and drove
>home. I didn't turn it off until I was parked for the night. Except I
>stopped at the first repair shop in Sioux Falls so I could drop off the
>battery he had loaned me, and I had three guys out there stumped. They
>tried to start it and checked the voltage on the battery (12 something),
>then tried to jump it with a charger pack (12 something, a little higher),
>then jumped it with a car and cables and it started with 13 something. It
>has started faithfully since but I haven't driven it for more than an hour
>at a time. My mechanics here in town are confused; of course it never
>happens in town where they can observe it. Any ideas on whether this is
>fixable. It is frustrating because I bought the Westy for long trips-I
>live to drive around the country-but am planning our Spring trip to Phoenix
>and summer trip to Seattle in our trusty Honda wagon with a tent strapped
>to the top. Help. Thanks, Laura
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