Date:         Fri, 25 Apr 2003 14:48:50 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: occasionally won't start.
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.GHP.4.51.0304251023320.28839@falcon.csrv.uidaho.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

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