Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 03:09:47 -0400
Reply-To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: '85 Vanagon power loss
Content-Type: multipart/mixed;
Hi Amanda,
You sound a lot like me! Functionally illiterate when it comes to auto mechanics, but wanting to get at least somewhat up to speed (to mix a metaphor or two...)
Having the Bentley is interesting, but it's not going to enable you to figure out what's wrong with your van on your own, believe me. It's a technical reference manual, not an introduction to how cars work and what kinds of things would cause which symptoms.
I'm also looking for a way to learn more about repairing my van when starting pretty much from zero on auto mechanics. Haven't exactly figured it out yet, short of giving it a LOT of time - which, of course, is what many people on this list have been doing for much of their lives, that's how they've accumulated so much knowledge.
I've just been referred to John Muir's book on VW bugs. It's not the same vehicle as we have, but the person who referred me said it may still be an easy way to get a boost in knowledge about cars, some of which is generic and will be accurate for vanagons, some of which will not be. I might take that advice.
Re getting your van towed to the repair people - get high end AAA before you do anything else. They will pay for four tows a year up to 100 miles each. That helps with towing.
You should also check the various web sites for references to mechanics in your area who know vanagons. Larry Chase put one together at www.roadhaus.com. There's also one at Westfalia.org (I think) and a few others.
You also have John Meeks somewhere there in Michigan, who knows a great deal about vanagons. He's on the list, perhaps he'll see his name here and give you some advice?
Good luck! If you find a way to learn Vanagon mechanics without making it a full time job for months, please do let me know!
Joy
****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
****************************************************************
:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Amanda Shank
:::Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 8:07 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: '85 Vanagon power loss
:::
:::Re: '85 Vanagon power lossThanks for your response! As to my mechanical
:::abilities...let me just say you spoke a great deal of Greek. :) I'm by
:::no means an idiot, just very intimidated in the engine of a vehicle I
:::love so much! I don't see a problem with things like tracing a wire &
:::the simplistic stuff like that. & you were close on the location...
:::we're in Michigan, Grand Rapids area.
:::I've heard about the Bentley manual & plan to pick one up this week.
:::Hopefully that'll help me gain some insight, and confidence. If I'm more
:::knowledgeable on the product I'll be considerably more comfortable with
:::the task at hand.
:::Anyway, I appreciate your reply! And anyone else that may have
:::suggestions!
:::Thanks!
:::~Amanda Shank
:::amanda@lakeeffectdogs.com
:::
:::*Announcing your plans is a great way to hear God laugh*
::: ----- Original Message -----
::: From: AJordans
::: To: Amanda Shank
::: Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 2:39 PM
::: Subject: Re: '85 Vanagon power loss
:::
:::
::: Sorry to hear that.
:::
::: I'd investigate the distributor and the Hall effect sender and its
:::wiring and sender mounting system. Also the air hoses and rubber air
:::couplings....and look for any electrical connectors that may have come
:::loose. Recheck the hose that was "fixed". etc...
:::
::: It's really hard to help not knowing exactly how handy you are....
::: can you trace down a wire, open your distributor cap, run a voltmeter,
:::find a relay?
::: Your description below almost kept me from responding at all....
:::
::: You'll need to get access to/buy a Bentley service manual if you plan
:::to do anything real yourself.
:::
::: Where are you located? based on your e-address, I'd guess western NY,
:::PA, or OH?
::: if you give a general location, maybe someone close by might take up
:::your cause.....
::: the list is a good thing.....
:::
::: Good luck
::: alj
:::
::: > From: Amanda Shank <amanda@LAKEEFFECTDOGS.COM>
::: > Reply-To: Amanda Shank <amanda@LAKEEFFECTDOGS.COM>
::: > Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:23:03 -0700
::: > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
::: > Subject: '85 Vanagon power loss
::: >
::: > ...or something like that. It happened slowly. At first it was once
:::in a great
:::
::: SNIP>>>>>>>>
:::
::: > My questions are these. First, any vague thoughts in general as to
:::the
::: > possible nature of the issue at hand? Secondly, can a simpleton such
:::as myself
::: > get in there and figure some of this out? What resources are out
:::there to help
::: > me do that? "Busses for Dummies"? I just need to be able to do some
:::of this
::: > myself, not only for financial reasons, but because I LOVE this bus
:::and I want
::: > to be more hands-on and more knowledgeable.
::: SNIP>>>>>>>>
::: I'm
::: > lost and alone without my beautiful bus. Please help reunite us!
::: >
::: > Thanks all!
::: > ~Amanda Shank
::: > amanda@lakeeffectdogs.com
::: >
::: > *Announcing your plans is a great way to hear God laugh*
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