Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 10:41:22 -0500
Reply-To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject: Re: 91 Vanagon Manual - slow cranking....
In-Reply-To: <COL109-W50A479E013C94FB95E6DECD4280@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Brett,
It basically comes down to three things.
1. Low voltage. Sounds like you have that well investigated.
2. Worn out/inefficient starter motor. Next most probable cause. As has
been stated, check the bushing in the transmission as it can wear down
and will affect starter performance. Annual lubrication of starter
innards will definitely extend the life of the starter esp. if operated
in cold climates.
3. (no-one has touched this yet) It could be an increased load on the
starter caused by something going on with the engine. Those who attended
EveryBus 2004 might remember the 1968 bus we used for the
"Troubleshooting Time Trials". As it turned out, that bus had a bad
bearing in the bottom end and it was so tight it could not be turned
over by hand. It would crank with the starter, but cranked slower than
usual. You might also want to check this, if only to ensure that it is
one of the above. I also recall reading that the subaru motor is a bit
harder to turn over due to higher compression, someone else can verify
that, as I have no experience with the subaru motor.
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario Canada
197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (ND Graphics graphics wrap)
1988 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (Colleen's ride)
www.pottsfamily.ca
BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 12-14th, 2011
www.busesofthecorn.ca
On 12/2/2010 9:22 PM, brett rueff wrote:
> ok, so I have read the archives and done some diagnosing - im looking for some geniuses out there to tell me im right or that i missed the obvious.
>
> 91 Vanagon Manual with subaru EJ22 but stock Vanagon starting system. Very slow cranking - it has been getting a little bit worse since I got the van a year ago. It would always start but had a slow crank. Its getting bad enough now that I need to fix it.
>
> As part of this process I cleaned the battery terminals, removed and cleaned the ground strap and removed and cleaned starter solenoid terminals.
>
> Testing with Voltmeter revealed.
>
> Battery at Rest - 12.57V (after an overnight charge to make sure its full)
> Insert Key and turn accessories on (includes headlights) - 11.63V
> Cranking measured across battery (+ battery post and - battery post) - 10V
>
> Cranking measured at starter (+ on main solenoid pole - on starter housing) - 8.5-9V
>
> Voltage Drop positive side (+ to pos battery terminal - to solenoid main pole) - 0.2V
> Voltage Drop negative side (+ to starter housing - to neg battery terminal) - 1V
>
> So I concluded starter. 8.5-9V should be good enough for a cranking right? I removed and took it to FLAPS where they bench tested it and said it was fine - I watched the test and it span like mad. Reinstalled and still slow cranking. I am ruling out oil viscosity problems as its been about 7 degrees C all week here in lotus land Vancouver BC.
>
> I can only guess its still the starter and its laboring under the load of the engine. I read in the archives the bushing on the end of the starter wears and causes hard cranking. Based on my testing that is all I can figure is the problem. Suggestions before I pull the thing apart again?
>
> Thank you gang. Will post to the vanaru list as well.
> brett
>
>
>
--
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario Canada
197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (ND Graphics graphics wrap)
1988 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (Colleen's ride)
www.pottsfamily.ca
BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 12-14th, 2011
www.busesofthecorn.ca
