Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 21:06:29 -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: HELP! van broke on I80 trAveling East (update)
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I was wondering about your ignition switch ..,
could be that.
also ....very important to check transmission to body ground strap
connection !
but ...if Ign Switch is very old..
they are always suspect or weak.
I got a rebuilt starter recently ..forget for what exactly, but they had a
troubleshooting page with very good voltage drop tests shown ...
the idea being to measure how much voltage is 'lost' in an old circuit due
to age, corrosion etc...
ideally ....if say 11.8 volts go into one end of a wire ( like at the
ignition switch ) ....no more than half a volt will be lost by the other
end.
my point is ...
many people think 'component' ....always rushing to find or replace 'the bad
part' .......sometimes it is that, sometimes it's not.
Frequently it's connections, battery cables etc. Resistance builds up etc.
and ..vanagon ignition switches are underbuilt, and you should always carry
a spare.
Very easy to just plug in as a test, or for self-rescue. Small inexpensive
part...should always have a spare on board on trips.
another thought ..the bushing in the bell housing the nose of the starter
rides in ..
those are usually in pretty good shape, but it should always be inspected at
least, and there is always a new one with a good Bosch Rebuilt starter
...though a tired bushing wouldn't keep the starter from energizing. - just
part of a 'real starter replacement job.' At least inspect it.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin" <Kevin@ONSHAKYGROUND.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 7:56 PM
Subject: Re: HELP! van broke on I80 trAveling East (update)
> We saw something incredible happen in the way folks
> from this list come to our aid. We would like to thank
> everyone from this list who had a hand in helping us
> out. We contacted Utah Imports first thing this
> morning. Not only were they expecting us, they were
> prepared to install the new starter once we arrived .
> They got us
> back on the road quickly.
> Unfortunately we got down the road and the problem
> returned. We can't get it to crank the starter, hot or
> cold (only push starting ) We hate to impose on the
> already fantastic generosity, but we will be in the
> Denver area in Friday morning. If anyone can help
> with a shop to help resolve, we would surely welcome
> the help.
>
> Thank you all again for your kindness. We have
> limited Internet access,
> Mostly email
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Kevin <Kevin@ONSHAKYGROUND.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:53:06 -0700
>> Subject: HELP! van broke on I80 trAveling East
>>
>> > We are traveling East on I80 from Ca to Denver.
>> It's the first day on
>> > our vacation and the
>> > starter went out on our 87 Synco, we are in
> despite
>> need of an repair
>> > shop who can
>> > replace the starter . We will be near Salt lake on
>> Thursday then
>> > Wyoming all along 80 to
>> > Denver on Friday. Anyone who can help with the
>> name and number of a
>> > resource that can
>> > help would be appreciated immensely and
> possibly
>> save our trip.