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Date:         Sun, 22 May 2011 17:19:47 -0200
Reply-To:     Phil Menchions <pwmenchions@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Phil Menchions <pwmenchions@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Steering wheel locked after replacing blower motor
Comments: To: billmonk@gmail.com
In-Reply-To:  <C4B01382-1485-4ED8-A78A-3FA6DCA2A7E2@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Bill, thanks for the offer but I just finished getting everything squared away with the steering column. What a relief! And the lights functioning normally, as well. Special thanks to David Bierl for his advice. I've saved his description of tapping/threading new bolts. Hope I never have to use it! But something tells me if I never do that job then I have not really entered the mysterious world of mechanics. hahaha Just wondering if there is are similar sources/how to for multimeter use? A little electrical knowledge would certainly go a long way with these beasts. Cheers, Phil Menchions '89 Westy > Subject: Re: Steering wheel locked after replacing blower motor > From: billmonk@gmail.com > Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 03:51:40 -0400 > To: pwmenchions@HOTMAIL.COM > > Phil > I just did the same. New blower,heater core,new cables,and hoses. I also had the same issue. You will need to put the key in the ignition and turn the wheel hard to get it to unlock. I also had to replace the two bushings those pins go into. I can dig up a part number if you need me to. > > Bill > > On May 20, 2011, at 7:30 PM, Phil Menchions <pwmenchions@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote: > > > > > I'm familiar with the situation you described usually seen when the wheels are cut hard over when parking. In this instance the wheels are straight ahead but I suppose it is possible that with the steering column torquing after the bolts were loosened it may have had the same effect. I'll give it a go again tomorrow. > > > > Has anyone else encountered the same situation that I have described? > > > > It is also disconcerting that simply having the battery ground wire hooked up results in the side marker and dash lights illuminating. The only electrical mod was to splice a spade connector for the blower motor itself. Otherwise it was clean up whatever grounds could be see, plug in and go. (or not) > > > > This has been my first foray into doing my own labor on the van. Thought that perhaps I had bitten off more than I could chew but this forum has been a wonderful help. Thanks to all for the advice. > > > > Phil Menchions > > '89 Westy > > > > > >> Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 15:48:05 -0600 > >> From: mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM > >> Subject: Re: Steering wheel locked after replacing blower motor > >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > >> > >> Turn the wheel HARD R or L and see if while doing that in one or the other of those directions, you can remove/turn the ign key. > >> It just sounds to me like the steering wheel has pressure on it in the locked and turned position. I've had that happen periodically > >> and just turned the wheel further toward the position the front wheels were pointing. > >> bob > >> On May 20, 2011, at 2:50 PM, Phil Menchions wrote: > >> > >>> I just finished putting a new blower motor in my '89 (pheww! don't want to do that any time again soon). Anyway I was feeling quite satisfied with myself after putting everything back together. However, much to my chagrin I found the steering wheel was locked and the key will not turn in the ignition. > >>> > >>> I noticed that when I had everything apart the steering column torqued in a clockwise direction. ( I did not see the two pins at the bottom of the column ). So when the time came to reattach the steering column it took quite an effort to torque the column back to its original position to fit the 4 bolts. > >>> > >>> What have I done? While sitting with the key in the ignition I noticed that the marker lights were on as well as the dash lights for the speedo and tach. I couldn't switch them off and wound up disconnecting the battery. > >>> > >>> Any help ideas are greatly appreciated. > >>> > >>> Cheers, > >>> Phil Menchions > >>> '89 Westy > >


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