Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 20:37:29 -0500
Reply-To: "Daniel J. Hein" <flambeau@PCTCNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Daniel J. Hein" <flambeau@PCTCNET.NET>
Subject: Re: 84 Vanagon Starter problem
In-Reply-To: <3D7F7208.22962.840B10@localhost>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
What the heck is it with these Volkswagen starters? I have had the
hot start problem recur with new Bosch starters (back in the day with
my '77 Westy), with remanufactured by Bosch starters, with Napa,
CarQuest, whatever they have...IT DON'T MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE!!! I
have used the relay and that does help, but when it doesn't you have
to replace the fuse in the relay (so mount the thing where it will be
handy to get at). I have mounted pushbuttons in the engine
compartment (don't mind me, folks, those of you backed up behind me
on this hill at the stop light...my engine killed and I have to get
out and try my circa 1940 pushbutton starter in my engine
compartment...oh, and my emergency brake is poor, so better back up
while I try to stick this block behind my wheel as I jump out of the
van) I've heard the theory about the corroded wires and the long
wiring runs and the old ignition switches...my Westy had its first
hot start problem when it was just 4 years old. Sometimes 10 gauge
wire on a 2 foot run to the pushbutton can't pull enough current to
activate that solenoid. Go ahead and put in an extra battery. It
won't matter. I have driven old cars most of life, cars 15 to 20
years old (and I have one 62 years old that I must admit cranks very
slowly when it is hot, but at least it cranks, and it is 6 volt), and
I have been driving legally since 1962, hundreds and hundreds of
thousands of miles, and in all that time I have replaced the starter
in non-Volks about 3 times total.
As I posted earlier, my current solution is to get a small plastic
bag filled with ice (should this happen at a gas station and not at
an interstate rest area) and crawl under the van and place the icebag
on the solenoid. Should you try this put your hand on that
solenoid...you will be amazed how hot the thing is, and how fast that
ice melts. This has me going in about 15 minutes, but what a pain.
I noticed in the box with my latest Bosch starter was a
coupon/certificate for free towing for 2 years if the van won't
start. I bet that starter will more than pay for itself in a
convoluted way, but this is a problem the rest of the automotive
world solved about the time things went to 12 volt forty years ago.
I don't get it.
Dan
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