Date:         Tue, 25 Feb 2003 02:36:30 -0500
Reply-To:     Ian Heier <i.heier@SYMPATICO.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ian Heier <i.heier@SYMPATICO.CA>
Subject:      Westy battery cable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi there, this is my first posting to the list so I hope you'll forgive any
errors I make.
I have a 1984 Blue full camper Westy in beautiful shape (read no rust!),
with a '97 rebuilt 1.9 wasserboxer. Around 4 weeks ago at work after a
really cold night (I work nights), I had trouble starting it, figuring it
was the cold I got a boost and away I went.
Well, this starting trouble got worse and I had to boost it a few more times
to get going. I'm in Toronto and we've had some really bad cold snaps over
the past month and the battery in my westy looked really old, at least over
5 years.

One cold morning two weeks ago I try to fire her up and no go!  She was
cranking but not turning over. Off to Sears I go to get an "International"
type 40 batt. Slog it home on the bus hook it up..zoom!! off I go!

A week later, at my wifes place (we're seperated). It's a really cold night
and I'm about to leave when the same thing happens. She'll crank but won't
turn over. Cursing, I borrow her car for the boost. Then finally get it
going after 20 minutes of charging. By this time I figure somethings not
quite right (assuming the battery) but while on the way home the lights wink
out and the engine die's. Reaching over while at a stop light (in a dead
van) I jiggle the battery terminals and she suddenly comes to life (Ah Ha!).
Off to Canadian tire for the new terminal and ground strap, a good clean-up
of my battery box and she's fireing up really well now even in the coldest
weather. I also think she's running smoother (could this be true? I've read
the battery also acts as a filter for other electric components).

I'd like to replace the entire positive battery cable but it seems to be a
VW only item since it's really long and I don't know what it connects to.
Does it go strait to the starter?

Hope this helps someone else.
                                                        Thanks,  Ian H.