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Date:         Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:32:49 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: WAS guy broken down in N. California - now running again
Comments: To: mdrillock <mdrillock@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

all right, good to hear. those 3 points are electrcially all in common, though in the real world of electron flow it doesn't always work that way. but 'poor connection' ..........all right ! glad I did run down there. so an 87 does not have that 'long stud' main wiring connection the starter main post that supplies current to 'everywhere else' ? I just glanced an an 87 Wolfsburg I just got. The alternator wiring is not original. Looks like they connnected the alternator to two places. glad you got it for him ! scott

----- Original Message ----- From: "mdrillock" <mdrillock@cox.net> To: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:43 PM Subject: WAS guy broken down in N. California - now running again

> Brian may be back in business. He called me again when he got back to the > closed shop where he had it towed. He had a voltmeter so I talked him into > trying basic step by step voltage tests first before continuing with his > intended parts swapping process. Step 2 showed the problem. 12 volts at > the alternator wiring stud only with the key off, ZERO volts with the key > on. On his 87 the battery powers the ECU and fuel pump circuit through the > alternator stud as a main wiring junction point. Zero volts at the > alternator stud means zero volts for the ECU and fuel pump. The engine > will not start unless the ECU and fuel pump have power so problem found. > > The 12 volt current comes backwards through the large wire from the > battery to the starter, then over a 6mm red wire to the alternator, then > over a 2.5mm red wire from the alternator to the fuel injection power lug > in the main engine wiring box. After the engine starts the 12 volt current > flows the other way, from the alternator to the starter and then to the > battery to charge it. Since he said his starter cranked fine even when the > alternator stud had zero volts, the problem is between the starter and > alternator. This is the same wiring that was being discussed yesterday as > a known failure point of the charging system. Different years have > slightly differing arrangements so the above details are meant for 86/87 > and very close for 88-91. > > Brian tightened the nut that holds the large red wires to the alternator > stud and the engine then started. I think he perhaps just disturbed > whatever bad connection is present inside that red wire from the starter > and the problem may return. I told him how to bypass the suspect wire if > the problem should return. > > > Mark > > > Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote: >> A guy called me a while ago, Brian, with a 'restricted' cell phone #, so >> I can't call him back. >> He had offered to pay me to go rescue him near Weaverville , Ca. >> ( no ignitioin out of the coil on a 2.1 wtbxr vanagon as I understand >> it ) ....... >> I'm certain I can fix his van, even if I have to bring another wiring >> harness, which I have several of , or whatever. I'd go with 2 >> distrubtors and 2 ECU's at least, plus a bunch of tools. >


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