Date:         Mon, 3 Nov 2003 18:19:19 -0800
Reply-To:     David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject:      Re: 86 Syncro Starting Woes
Comments: To: AudibleA@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <d3.2476aeaf.2cd85f83@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

My experience with this is the R/BK wire that goes to 12V when you turn the
key gets corroded over time and the voltage drop becomes more and more until
it can engage the starter.  At this point a simple 'bosch' relay works
really well using the main input to the starter as a voltage source and the
R/BK wire as a trigger.  Any relay with 85, 86, 87 and 30 terminals will
work.  85 goes to ground.  86 goes to the R/BK wire.  87 goes to the
starter's trigger terminal and 30 goes to a voltage source (the M8 stud on
the starter for example).

If you get under the Syncro, you don't need to remove the starter to get at
the trigger wire.  It's a factor of holding your tong right to get the new
wire to a relay in there.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models


Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate  responses.


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Andy Morse
Sent: November 3, 2003 5:49 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 86 Syncro Starting Woes


My 71 did the same thing as my 86 syncro is now doing. I'll drive for a
awhile, make a few stops and then turn they key and nothing other than
dashboard
lights. I'll get underneath whack the starter a few times, sometimes more
than a
few and wallah I'm on my way again.

I'm tired of dealing with this, been there done that. So I took the starter
relay that I added to my 71 Westy (for sale without an engine, make me an
offer, I'm in Albany, NY) in hopes of putting it in this one, but the
starter
appears to be a pain in the a@# to get out. Does anyone know the size of the
allen
screw that seems to be holding the top of the starter in? It seems that only
an allen wrench will work since there is no room. Also does anyone know if
my
relay will work on this model. It solved my problem on the 71 flawlessly.

TIA,
    Andy