Date:         Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:51:34 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Successfully installed hot start rely...but now....
Comments: To: Brien Dews <vwvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <4756d780606241715h4a34de7fk6c699f3f9d33b511@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I have warned here numerous times over the years that there can be a
wiring conflict when putting a start relay into a Westy. If that is what
you did, don't drive with it that way without checking for the conflict.
The fridge relay under the driver's seat was often wired at the factory
to use the starter red/black as the relay coil ground. If yours is this
way, unplug the red/black from the relay and tape it over so it never
contacts bare metal. Then run a new wire from the empty lug to the
mounting screw of the relay.

The same conflict is often  present on models with a factory second
battery relay, like 85-87 Wolfy Campers.

Mark

Brien Dews wrote:

> ...the starter will occasionally refuse to disengage. Is this related
> to the
> relay install or just a mere coincidence? Doesn't do it every time
> either.
> My buddy did the same upgrade in exactly the same manner with the same
> relay
> and didn't have this issue.
> My van has had hot start issues for the last couple of years (another
> thing
> that wouldn't happen every time it was hot but only when it was really
> inconvenient to push start it.) The upgrade is easy to do and I
> definitely
> notice a small increase in the crank of the starter.
> So any thoughts on a starter that won't always disengage?
> --
> Brien K Dews CC-AWCI
> www.busesbythebeach.com
> 84 Wolfsburg Westfalia
> 88 Vanagon 'Carrier'
> 89 Vanagon 'Bluestar'
>
>