Date:         Sun, 17 Mar 2002 23:29:12 +0100
Reply-To:     Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT>
Subject:      Re: Strange broken ground strap on 86 Vanagon
Comments: To: Aaron Reams <aaron@INTERVAL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

snipped -------
Problem is I cannot seem to find a place where it may have been attached to.
It is bolted to the engine but I haven't a clue where else it goes. Can
anyone assist?
end snipped --------

Hi,

I just removed my Air Conditioner Compressor, and right beneath it was that
braided ground strap... corroded and green and basically made of dust.  It
disentigrated when I touched it.

I had been in the process of troubleshooting erratic idle and no-start
(until waiting 30min or so) when I stopped to refuel.

Anyway, long story short, this is an ultra important ground apparently (as I
later learned from many list members).  I went a bit crazy and bought about
2.5 feet of the fattest Monster Cable I could find (likme 1/2 inch) and
attached fasteners, and replaced the ground from the top of the engine
(drivers side) over to the chassis.  There are several other cables there
which are using the same chassis ground screw... as well as a ground screw
right behind it on the chassis with even more.

Apparently the ECU really  needs this ground, and if it does not have it, it
goes into "emergency mode" and sends a really ugly signal to the engine,
resulting in a rich mixture, like 5 mpg, and fast idle (among other strange
symptoms).

While you are at it... I would also suggest replacing the tranny to frame
ground, and checking all others too!

Have fun!

RSF

<º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{

Robert S. Fish
Salzburg, Austria
1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon 2.1 GL Weekender
1987 Golf Cabriolet
1991 Golf