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Date:         Thu, 26 Jan 2006 16:07:57 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: recap (still not fixed)  Re: Update (not fixed...) Re:
              FIXED?              (and,
              advice needed...) (was: Re: low voltage,
              starter running intermittently, but alternator is okay?)
Comments: To: Wesley Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Wes, When you replaced the starter, was the solenoid also replaced? Were they new or "rebuilt"? I think Sherlock Holmes said something like, "When the likely things have been eliminated then the answer must be the unlikely one". You should take a voltage reading where the current goes into the starter. I mean at the short braided cable that goes from the solenoid into the body of the starter itself. Clamp onto that cable with a clip lead with an insulated clip and hook the other end to a long wire that will reach to the driver's seat. Use a voltmeter to watch that voltage when you turn the key. Be sure the negative lead from your meter is well grounded; the edge of the lighter socket is a good ground. If the voltage goes up to about 12V when you turn the key, but the starter doesn't turn, the starter is at fault (assuming the engine is properly grounded). If the voltage stays low, the solenoid is not making contact, (assuming that you are hearing it click and not just hearing the fuel pump relay). Good luck; let me know what you find.

Larry A.

Wesley Pegden wrote:

> Thanks to everybody that's replied > Okay, I just want to go over what I've done and what my situation is. > First, my symptoms: The van often fails to start: It will always > (fingers crossed) eventually start, but it might take a few turns of the > key. When it doesn't start, the engine doesn't turn over at all. I do > hear a distinctive clicking sound at the back when I engage and > disengage the ignition, which I assume is the solenoid. > > I know have a happy 13.7-.13.8 volts at the battery when running (14 > volts at the alternator) without electrical on. Throughout this whole > ordeal, I've never had to jump the battery. I've had the battery tested > at an autozone (where its under warranty), and I have driven the van > around a bit (with my 13.7-13.8 volts at the battery) so it should be > fairly well charged, but this doesn't seem to affect the problem. > > I've replaced: the starter, the alternator, and the starter bushing (in > addition to cleaning up some grounds and replacing the battery ground > strap). > > What else can people think of to try? > > Roger, do you think its worth bypassing the switch even though I can > here the solenoid clicking? > > Thanks very much for any suggestions... I'm really running out of ideas. > -Wes > > > Roger Sisler wrote: > >> Perhaps your ignition switch is the villan.Maybe try byypassingthe >> switch >> (hot wire) and see if it starts repeatedly. Else remove the steering >> wheel >> and column cover so to remove the plug that goes into the switch. Figure >> out the wires that are needed to be jumped here to get ignition and >> cranking.From reading the posts, this is about all the parts that you >> can >> throw at this problem.BTDT >> >> >


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