Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:31:39 -0600
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Starter system woes
In-Reply-To: <989ea5a20801161456m59bcd3afh43d6d964ed39dc46@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
This is a very common problem. You should be able to find quite a bit in
the archives. I believe that one or more of the vendors sells a "hard start
relay" kit. The problem is caused by a marginal design, resistance at the
start terminals in the ignition switch, aged wiring with corroded
connections, gummed up solenoid, vanagon gremlins, or any combination of
these.
The solution is usually to put a hefty relay in a location near the
starter, like under the back seat. When activated, it should make a
connection between the large positive terminal on the solenoid and the start
terminal. The wire that originally connected to the start terminal is used
to activate the relay, so the relay is the only load on the circuit from the
ignition switch.
My own measurements indicate that the solenoid coil draws about 37 amps,
so I feel that the relay should be rated for 50 A or more.
Dennis Haynes has expressed concern that arcing at the relay contacts
might weld them together and keep the starter running. I have not seen any
reports of this happening. I believe he recommended a special type of relay
which is used in some RVs.
HTH
Larry A.
On Jan 16, 2008 4:56 PM, TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@gmail.com> wrote:
> All,
> I've been hunting a mysterious starter problem and I need your help.
> It's
> crunch time and I can't tolerate this problem anymore. It's an 87 Wolfie
> GL
> Automatic. The starter slowly stopped engaging after key rotation.
> Slowly
> as in more frequently over a 2-3 month period until it finally quit
> engaging. So, being the vw geek I am, I dove underneath with metal in
> hand
> to jump the contacts. I ordered a replacement switch, put it in, it just
> barely hesitated but started like normal otherwise. I figured it had been
> so long since it did that correctly, I must not have noticed the delay.
> Wrong answer-there is no discernable delay. It just quit working 2-3 days
> later. It starts just fine each and every time I jump the terminals on
> the
> solenoid. Every once in a while it will rotate and start but only after a
> 3-6 second delay. After a previous post to the group, I checked a few
> items
> but no luck. I've wiggled the gear selector (and even ran it though the
> entire range) while holding the key in the start position. I've jiggled
> the
> key. No change from either of those. Is there a way to bypass the
> neutral
> safety switch for testing. I'm not near my tools currently (long story)
> or
> I'd have the console around the selector in pieces already. Can ANYONE
> think of ANYTHING else that might be doing this? I'm pretty sure that if
> the start rotates when I jump it, it's 99% good. New starter switch bad?
> Possible, but not likely. Especially since it has the exact same
> symptons with the old switch. Someone put me out of my misery.
>
> Thanks,
>
> TJ
>
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