Hello Listees: I have an intermittent electrical problem with an '85 Vanagon, which prevents the engine from starting. Normally, when I turn the key to the "On" position, the fuel pump can be heard to run for about 1/2 second, then shuts off. If for some reason the engine doesn't start and I release the key back to the "On" position, then I can hear the fuel pump cycle again for about 1/2 second, then shut off until I try to re-start. When I am having this intermittent electrical problem, an interesting symptom occurs: Turning the key to the "On" position causes the fuel pump to cycle on for only about 1/4 second, pause, then cycle on a SECOND TIME for another 1/4 second. If I then turn the key to the "Start" position, the starter turns over fine, but the engine doesn't even try to fire. Releasing the key back to the "On" position causes the fuel pump to cycle for 1/4 second, pause, and cycle again for another 1/4 second, then shut off. In other words, the fuel pump is cycling on TWICE each time, instead of ONCE. This symptom has occured consistently with the non-start problem. After several attempts to start, I can definitely smell gasoline from the engine compartment. Since I can hear the fuel pump energize, have plenty of fuel in the tank, and can smell the gas flooding the engine, I don't think I have a fuel pump or lack of fuel problem. The only other time this non-starting problem occured, it went away by itself after a few days, before I could figure out what the problem was. I would really like to solve it before the van leaves me stranded away from home. I do have a Bentley, but would appreciate any advice to help me troubleshoot this problem or steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance! Cary |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.