Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:19:37 -0700
Reply-To: Neil2 <vidublu@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Neil2 <vidublu@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Starting problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey volks,
OK, I've done me due dili, sort of. Read archives for hours and have
deduced the reason/s my 82 Vanagon Westy with the 'relay' not inside the
driver's seat pedastal, won't start.
What I need ya'll's help with is narrowing it down to one or two if
possible. Here's the list:
Ignition switch
load reduction relay ('low voltage relay'?)
wire betwixt the starter and solenoid
solenoid
starter
starter (lower) bushing in the xmission
battery
loose connection/s in the circuits
I've decided to troubleshoot this from my traditional approach this time:
Least $$, least trouble, most likely, et cetera. Of course the big pic is
to enrich me relationship with Duckie through trial and pain. Ain't that
what VW's are all about? This means I won't, if possible, try the 'next
thing' until I've proven the previous were partially/completely
unsuccessful.
The peculiars: 1) Mine has a 'dangling wire' (FM slide on blade
connections, both ends) on the solenoid, connection 50 (same connection with
a lead to the ignition/starter switch). Another owner mentioned his did
too. Unsure if this indicates a PO's installation/removal a load reduction
relay or if a PO used it to shock the solenoid into submussion. I
inadvertently did so while troubleshooting last week. Anywho, the red lead
to the ignition/starter switch goes/also goes to a harness and then back out
to a terminal block post (along with another wire of the same color/size.
This terminal block is on the rear wall of the engine compt. path continues
to to a 'buss bar' to the second terminal and the same size/color wire leads
to the bottom of a relay (?), perhaps the load reduction relay?
2) Mine has failed to start after shutting the engine off after a long drive
(common archive occurrence) BUT also after sitting all night in my driveway
last week. IOW, my symptoms include a cold and hot engine and ambient temps
btwn 50ish to 70ish.
3) Just heard the entertainers on CarTalk mention a common problem in warm
temps (or warm engines?) of the bushing being too warm to operate properly.
4) At least sometimes a click can be heard (from the solenoid?) when trying
to start it.
5) Sometimes if I hold the ignition switch in the ON position a second
longer, it starts.
OK, line up and tell me your thoughts!
--
Neil2
'82 Diesel Westy (Duckie)