Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 14:19:13 -0800
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: Westy won't go!
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reply-type=original
hi.
sounds like you still need to determine if it's lack of fuel, fuel pressure,
ignition or firing of the injectors by the ECU.
maybe you didn't have a friend there to turn on the key for you and listen
/or feel for the fuel pump pre-run when the key is just turned to 'run.'
In cases like that you put your hand on the fuel pump to *feel* if it runs,
even if you can't hear it.
I just to the basics checks....
test for spark out of the coil.........very easy.
Using a NOID light......takes but a second or two to find out if the ECU is
firing the injectors.
Fuel pressure gauge is handy, but not 'totally essential' for testing for
fuel presence and pressure.
In the majority of cases of a no-start condition on waterboxer
engines.....it was the ignition not working.
I have read of several cases..........might apply only to 86 and later
vanagons ..............where poor contact in the main alternator/battery
wiring caused a condition where there was no voltage available for ignition,
but plenty to crank the starter. I'd sure check that out. This includes a
connection in the black electrical connection box at the left forward corner
of the engine compartment too.
you can do the disconnect the 02 sensor thing if you like. Oxygen sensor is
not part of the starting sequence really. Though a shorted one could cause
a no-start possibly.....though I haven't seen that in hundreds of vanagons.
have fun !
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Miller" <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: Westy won't go!
Mine did this. O2 sensor bad.
Unplug it and see if it runs. If so replace and go.
Mike
87 syncro
SF Bay Area
On 11/2/08 7:49 PM, "Michael Hart" <mjhart853@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> Just got back from a trip to the mountains in my '87 Westy, on the back of
> a
> AAA transporter....
> The trip up yesterday went perfectly. Coming back down California Highway
> 4
> today, after driving 40 miles, the engine just lost power and died about
> 30s
> later. It would start up again after a minute or two rest, run for perhaps
> a
> minute and then loose power again, run very rough & die.
> My attempts to diagnose the problem failed me (hence the AAA transporter);
> - Tried changing the ecu (I had a spare) - exactly the same. Waited for 15
> minutes for engine to cool down and tried again; exactly the same. Took a
> plug
> out - nice and clean. Engine compartment was dry and electrical leads &
> coil
> seemed fine (although it had been raining). Couldn't hear if the fuel pump
> was
> runing (too noisy alongside the highway).
>
> Now the van is in my driveway, I'm planning my campaign to find the
> problem.
> My first thought is this is a fuel starvation problem, so I will
> check/replace
> the fuel filter and fuel pump (& check there is no obstruction at the gas
> tank).
>
> Do you think I'm on the right track or do you have better suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
> '87 Westy
> SF Bay Area
>
>
>
