Date:         Tue, 25 Oct 2005 10:13:28 -0400
Reply-To:     Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject:      This week advice.....

If you are having problem at startup, no fuel pump priming, no start but the
left relay is clicking.... don't blame the pump or the pump relay yet....
check the Alternator to starter connection, the red wire (on Starter)....

You should always have 12v at the alternator, even with the ignition key OFF
and OUT.

without the ignition key ON, check with a voltmeter if you have 12V at the
alternator big + red wire (with a voltmeter, touch the alternator body with
- and the main alternator red wire + with the voltmeter +).... if no 12V,
the relay wont't click.... if so, you have a faulty Starter to Alternator
12V continuity and the pump won't prime.

Lately, i have seen a lot of that.... on Starter, the main connection, where
all the red wire goes... the one that goes to the alternator is broken....
cutting the 12V source to the back of the van giving all kind of strange
problems(Digijet will fire on when warm or with some help.... but not the
Digifan) on the alternator, there is 2 12V red wire, one goes to the
starter... and the other one to the FI system... so the starter WILL turn
but won't give you any start.... just listen if the pump is priming before
start....  that noisy Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... sound....

Cheers, Ben
http://www.benplace.com/vanagon_engine7.htm