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Date:         Wed, 28 Jan 2004 09:30:15 -0800
Reply-To:     mike twombley <twombleyw@JPS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mike twombley <twombleyw@JPS.NET>
Subject:      Re: 91 dead on the freeway tech expertise needed !
Comments: To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4017E6A7.A1FA16DB@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

On 1/28/04 8:43 AM, "mark drillock" <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:

> There is no such safety feature and no fuse or fusible link that can > cause this. Here is something I posted a while back for someone with a > similar problem. Many people have had this starting failure and there > are a handful of possible causes. If you were at my place we could track > it down in 5-10 minutes. The ECU must get voltage for the fuel pump to > run and for the coil to make spark. You need a voltmeter to figure out > what is wrong. Here are the 2 basic test points. > > Always, always, always! When it won't start measure the voltage at the > coil terminal where the black wires attach. It should be +12 volts at > all times when the key is on, even when you turn the key all the way to > start. Check carefully for this with the key in all positions in turn. > The other place to check is in the black box on the firewall. There is a > stud there with some red wires on it. That stud must have +12 volts at > all times, even with the key off. Check this during starting attempts > too. > > Once you determine which of these 2 critical circuits is at fault, then > you can trace out exactly where the problem is. Swapping parts is not > the answer. Basic voltage testing is. > > Mark > > > > John Carpenter wrote: >> >> In a message dated 1/27/2004 11:59:36 PM Eastern Standard Time, >> zolo@foxinternet.net writes: >> >>> I think it can't start beacause of the safety feature that >>> won't let you >>> when there is not enough water in there. >>> Zoltan >> Hi Zoltan, >> I did add water, thinking that might do it. >> But no change? >> I went down to the gas station where it is this morning, >> And had a buddy turn the key on. >> There was no initial charge from the fuel pump. >> And no spark at the plugs? >> Cranks over though. >> Is there a fusable link or a main fuse in the engine compartment? >> I'm going to replace the key switch next, >> Any Ideas? >> thanks! >> John C. >> SLC, UT >> 91 Westy...

As I remember there are two big red "hot" leads off the Ignition switch connector in the run position: one feeds the engine circuits (ignition/FI etc.) and one feeds the Lights, interior etc.

The switch certainly can be bad on one set of contacts only...It has happened to me before!

The cranking tells me that the start lead (small red wire #15?) is energizing in the "start" position. In the old days, the sure sign that the "Run" lead was not passing juice was that the engine would start in the start position but quit when the key was released. With FI and electronic ignition that is probably not the case.

I would check the electrical switch function. The key lock and switch are of course not the same device. Almost without doubt, the electrical ignition switch is similar to the little modular unit used for some years on all kinds of VWs. Needless to say it is a bit of a pain to get at. I don't have my wiring diagrams available but all the DIN color codes are standard. Get a Wiring diagram for any water cooled injected VW and the din color codes are pretty much standard for basic functions Reds are hot, browns are ground, WW wiper are always colorful big Whites and yellows are are headlights.... Etc.

Help me out on this one folks .. I have't been into the steering column entrails on a Vanagon but know Rabbits and Jettas real good. VW changes parts only as required and the basic scheme of things hasn't changed much since the watercooled CIS family arrived But I believe if you can get at and remove the connector of the back of the switch on the steering column you can pick up a switch unit and plug it into the modular connector to test the function. This is very quick and dirty but that can get your home.

Mike Twombley "Been driving cheap used vws for 35 years kinda guy"... John Muir wannabe.


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