Date:         Thu, 10 Jun 2004 12:05:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: hot starter isues
In-Reply-To:  <001501c44efd$2f965410$41fd5e44@noneq06xyh6uat>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

How did you get the starter open?  Did you have to use an impact
driver?  Mine is put together with these screws that are really tight.
 Instead of hassling with opening the unit, I bought a rebuilt starter
motor from VolksCafe.  This was after my bad experience of trying to
save a few bucks and buying a crappy, supposedly new starter on eBay.
After stranding me a number of times, I took out the starter I bought
on eBay and dumped it into the garbage.  I've been a happier man ever
since.

Might have saved me some hassles if I had simply opened the solenoid
up on the original unit, cleaned it and greased it.  When I had the
problem (now fixed), I couldn't figure how to open the starter.  I
didn't try an impact driver.

-- Craig

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 10:11:19 -0500, Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Take the starter off.
> Clean the starter solenoid.
> Clean the trash that has collected around your brushes inside your starter.
> Try to examine the starter bushing in your bell housing (poor alignment
> caused by a worn out bushing will make the starter drag).
> Clean the wire connectors on the solenoid.
> Clean the battery terminals and the connectors.
> If these things don't fix the problem then they should have been done prior
> to installing an auxiliary solenoid.
>
> Stan Wilder
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Daniel Stevens" <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 8:39 AM
> Subject: hot starter isues
>
> ok heres the beginning. I have a newly acquired 1980 AC vanagon.
>
> now that it's finally getting close to summer here in upstate NY I have the
> "hot start syndrome'
>
> ok NO PROBLEM, i have the wonderful article/diagram from
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com/
> Article: http://www.oldvolkshome.com/hardstart.pdf
>
> anyways. I can hear my relay clicking but the starter don't give a hoot..
> on the topic of relays.. I used a used off the shelf fog lamp relay..
> but I was wondering on the use of lawn tractor starter relays? Ford style
> automotive solenoid (or would have similiar current issue as the stock
> solenoid?
>
> now is it a lack of voltage/amperage on the positive battery cable
> connection to the starter? it is a LONG cable from battery to starter.
> is it a iffy braided wire from the solenoid into the starter body? (looked
> suspect)
> is it a old tired starter windings that don't like the heat?
> or my ign circuit wire+connector that was tough to disconnect and rusty ( i
> attempted to  clean with a swab of acid base cleaner)
>
> to complicate the heat issue, the passanger side heat duct from the 'by-pass
> valve??' is disconnected letting the HOT heat air out in the area over the
> tranny
> but that shouldn't be a problem while tooling down the road??  as there'd be
> a lot of air current to dissapate that hot air?
>
> in all because it's a heavy vehicle to push start and I would like to take
> it on trips farther then my AAA will get me home on.
> It looks like it'll be getting a NEW starter. and use the old one in my
> engine stand.
>
> thanks for listening to me think outloud.
>
> Dan Stevens
> 1976 baja 2.0L
> 1980 AC vanagon ASI riveria
>