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Date:         Sun, 22 Jan 2006 15:43:05 -0600
Reply-To:     Wesley Alden Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Wesley Alden Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Subject:      low voltage, starter running intermittently,
              but alternator is okay?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi guys, I'm having frustrating electrical (I think) problems.

First, my van ('84 manual) wouldn't start. Headlights would come on (battery okay) and they would dim when I turned the ignition (so power was getting to the starter), but it wouldn't turn. I heard a click when I would turn the key, and again when I would release it.

I ordered a rebuilt starter, and finally got around to installing it today. It started twice in a row, so I thought it was okay, but then the third time it didn't, and I realized I was back where I started. It starts maybe one out of 5 times, and when it starts, it starts right away.

The battery is right at 12.0 volts with the car off. With the key turned all the way (but when it fails to start) it drops to 11.4. If it starts, it sits at 11.6. So now I figure maybe my alternator is bad. I had an extra alternator, so I put it in, but absolutely nothing has changed, and so now I'm stumped.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

-Wes


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