Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 06:42:59 -0700
Reply-To: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Ignition question
In-Reply-To: <465CEAAA.5000203@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
It is possible that you are a victim of too many owner modifications.
Years ago on this list there was a thread about changing the wiring so
the radio could be on only when the key was in the ignition, even if the
key was off. This was done using the key detection lead from the
ignition switch, sometimes using that lead for controlling a relay to
power the radio. Perhaps someone did something like this and that
modification is conflicting with your later mods.
Mark
Billy wrote:
> Bob Donalds suggested that I send this on to you all for some help.
>
> I have an 84 automatic Westy that has had some erratic ignition problems
> the past few weeks. A little history: Recently I have added a Sure
> Power battery separator/isolator and hooked up my radio and interior
> lighting to the Aux battery. Everything has gone off without a hitch
> but suddenly the van wouldn't start. Crank but no fire. After checking
> I found only 5.88 volts to the coil. I gave the coil direct power from
> the battery and everything was fine except the ignition wouldn't shut it
> off. No problem, remove power from the coil an viola. Under the dash I
> replaced the Hella relay this gave me back my proper starting voltage
> and it had since been running fine. Yesterday, I went out to install my
> headlight upgrade relays and after installing them nothing would work.
> Absolutely nothing happened when I turned the ignition switch. I put
> everything back the way it was and again nothing. I turned the key and
> at the relay under the dash I again had 5.88 volts and the same at the
> coil. The battery was at 12.86 volts. Aux was dead.(another issue from
> the power wire on the radio) So I touched a hot lead from the battery
> to the pink wire on pin 30 of the under dash relay and it started right
> up. I removed the wire and it died most of the time. It was almost
> like I was charging a capacitor that would lose its charge and sometimes
> keep it. I swapped the ignition switch tonight with a brand new one and
> the results are the same only with some different gremlins.
>
> First off is the ignition is in the run position as soon as the key is
> inserted into the ignition. Also, now when I turn on my bright lights
> the dome lights flash with the switch. Lastly the ignition switch when
> turned to the off position does not shut the van off until I pull the
> key out of the cylinder. I put the old switch back in and it did the
> same thing. Could the switch be in the wrong position. I have checked
> the wiring and everything seems right. The grounds(all of them) have
> been cleaned, new connectors reconnected and coated with dielectric
> grease. Any wiring connections are soldered and shirk tubed. At his
> point I am simply stumped.
>
> Billy Hirt
>
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