Date:         Sat, 21 May 2005 00:48:58 +0200
Reply-To:     ccc1@VOLNY.CZ
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Cary Chiang <ccc1@VOLNY.CZ>
Subject:      Need Help with Electrical / Engine Starting Problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-2"

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