Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 12:27:50 -0800
Reply-To: Phil Zimmerman <phil.zimmerman@MAIL.CRCN.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Phil Zimmerman <phil.zimmerman@MAIL.CRCN.NET>
Subject: Re: Newbie Question Flood - Hot start
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi again Skip,
Sounds like your Van is suffering from the dreaded "hot start syndrome". As
an aside, I love all the "syndromes" we make-up from the various symptoms
our Vans suffer.... Vanagon Pathology 101! Sorry for the political dig
(NVC).
Back to no hot start. Not an uncommon occurrence for some.... many. Makes
for lots of long extended meals while waiting for the Van to cool down. A
pain when you want to make a quick gas stop while transiting on a long trip!
A couple of things to look at. You report a new or fairly recent replacement
of the starter? Some (most)rebuilds come with no lubrication on the solenoid
which leads to galling and jamming of the solenoid and a No Start condition
when hot. A stop-gap measure if you experience the hot/cold no-start is to
have someone hold the ignition key to the start position while you reach in
the rear wheel well with a suitable tool and tap the starter solenoid. This
is not a foolproof cure but works sometimes. But before removing the starter
to check for this... a couple of operational checks are called for.
Check for more than 8Volts at main terminal on the starter solenoid, with
the key held to the start position and the starter not cranking (essentially
reproducing your no-start situation). Takes two people to do this. Check
your Bentley if you have one and if you don't have a Bentley, plan on buying
one if you plan on doing some of your own maintenance/repair. If you have
good voltage (8+Volts) to the starter under a "stalled condition", check for
problems within the starter If you measure 8volts or less under the stalled
condition check, look at the following: Batt. connections for corrosion,
Condition of the Wire from the batt to the starter, Transmission ground,
Electrical portion of the Ignition Switch and the Auto/Neutral/Bach-Up
Switch if you have A/T. You mentioned an 'extra' switch controlling the two
batt? Always suspect for voltage drops. Check for clean connections and
continuity of the switch.
There is a hot start solenoid kit you can add to your starting circuit. A
way of boosting solenoid voltage on a Van with "sick" wiring. Check the
archives of this list for more info on this kit.
Good luck to you
Phil Z.
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