I had a similar problem with my '85 right after I bought it (I mean right after, I got it home, and then it wouldn't start again). It would crank like a champ, but wouldn't kick over. It turned out to be a bad (undersized, under-crimped and old) splice in the smaller wire leading from the starter. This wire feeds everything in the engine compartment *except* the starter. Open the black box on the firewall (on the left side, as you stand behind the engine compartment scratching your head). Inside, you will find a stud with some big red wires going to it. With the key on (but not cranking) you should see 12 volts there. I was getting something like 5. I connected my jumper cable from the positive battery lead to that point, and she started right up. Theres another box in the engine compartment with two relays in it that power the fuel pump and the rest of the injection system, they're another good item to check out. Good luck, Tim
At 10:24 AM 4/25/2003 -0700, Matthew Pollard wrote: >trying to help a friend trouble shoot their 88 syncro... 2.1L wbxer... any >insight here > > >Car won't start, cranks but nothing happening (Intermittent). We replaced >the distributor (hall sender unit?) but that did not fix the problem. He >thinks it is the computer because he switched it out with another it >started it working, put mine back in and it worked for a day, now it won't >start again. He also said system has fuel and fire but just won't start) >He and I are scratching are heads! Anyway, with all this Amy and I are |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.