Date:         Fri, 9 Mar 2007 13:04:24 -0800
Reply-To:     neil <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Mechanics Puzzle
Comments: To: jon <jon@kenneke.com>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.LNX.4.58.0703091240060.24011@kenneke.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

So when engine off it's still draining battery right?

Was it doing this before belt broke?

Did any wiring get damaged in engine bay due to belt breaking?

Tens of amps being sucked from battery is a lot. i.e. as if the glow
plugs are "on" draining battery......



On 3/9/07, jon <jon@kenneke.com> wrote:
> Here's a good one:
>
> 1983 Diesel vanagon, stock.
>
> Alternator belt breaks, drive home on battery (on a diesel, you can drive
> quite aways, since the only battery drain are the instruments and the
> fuel solenoid when the headlights are off). The water pump has it's own
> belt, so no big deal.
>
> Replace belt, but the battery will not hold a charge. Measurement says
> there is a significant (tens of amps) drain on the battery, even with the
> key off.
>
> So, the puzzle is: what was wrong?
>
> ;)
>
> Jon
>


--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil