On 19 Sep 2004 at 19:54, Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA> wrote: > Over the summer the ignition switch on my '82 Westy started to act up. > It seemed like when turned to the final position where it energised the > starter, the contacts would "beak" to the ignition circuit. > > Some finessing of the key would get it to start. I thought great, new > ignition switch needed. I put it off, or course. > > Then last week, in town, the van wouldn't start no matter how I turned > the key, doh! > > Out of desperation I pulled off the steering column cover and pulled > off the multi-connector to the ignition switch thinking I could hot > wire it. > > Before I tried that, I re-connected it and tried again. Voila, the van > started with no fuss. > > I am guessing that in the ignition switch side of the connector, one of > the connectors was loose. I don't know how it is wired in there, > whether it is a slid bit of metal from the connector to the actual > switch part. In any event the switch has worked perfectly since. Alistair, I was able to go nearly a year with a failing switch in my Jetta (same switch), by wiggling the wires & connector and doing essentially what you did - sometimes it would last for a month. After that, I resorted carrying a screwdriver in the driver door, turning the key on & shorting the starter terminals under the hood with the screwdriver. This would be a bit more difficult on a Vanagon though... :-) I would suggest that you have manage to reposition the contacts in the plastic switch slightly, but the problem will come back. I'd buy the $10 switch and keep it on hand in case you get stranded (I know this is hard to do in a diesel...), or bored enough to actually change it someday.... :-) -- Shawn Wright http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright ~This message sent by Pegasus Mail, the safe E-Mail alternative~ "Friends don't let friends use Outlook" |
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