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Date:         Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:04:36 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Battery cable question
Comments: To: Dan Krautkremer <kd5ceu@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <42361.79336.qm@web53904.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Dan Krautkremer wrote: > The other day my 86' GL wouldn't turn over.

I once had a similar problem. There was usually (but not always) a delay from when I would turn the key to the start position and when the starter motor would engage. Sometimes the starter motor wouldn't engage at all without getting someone to hold the key in the start position while I tapped the solenoid with a broom stick through the wheelwell. It was worse in wet conditions.

I cleaned the battery connections as well as where the battery ground attaches to the body, cleaned the terminal ends where the wires attach to the starter motor, replaced the female spade connector on the wire from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid as well as cleaning the male spade connector on the solenoid, and cleaned the ground strap connectors as well as the connection points at the frame and the forward transmission mount. By clean I mean bright and shiny clean!

I have had absolutely no problems with it since and that was several years ago. Routine cleaning of connectors isn't a bad thing.

Like you, my first thought was to replace cables ... but I didn't and, obviously didn't have to. YMMV.

Mike


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