Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:29:32 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: First follow-up - RE: Battery/Starter/Wiring issue 1985 Westy
w/ 2.1L & 4sp
In-Reply-To: <5E0D0336F47A4B96B50877E76E33EF00@KarlPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Low battery voltage while cranking will cause starter to both slow down and
draw more current. The 85's and earlier have a smaller starter cable than
the 86 and up. Also the starter HP was bumped up. 13.1 charging voltage is
low and could be caused by bad-weak battery, voltage drops in wiring,
excessive loads in system, poor alternator output. With engine near 1,800
rpm and measure voltage directly at alternator post and case. The measure on
battery terminals. Should be really close. If not, measure across various
wires-connections in the path and look for the loss. Measure between the
alternator case and chassis. The wiring from the alternator post to the
battery terminal on the starter is undersized when new. This is a common
problem for charging.
Dennis
----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Karl Wolz
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 8:02 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: First follow-up - RE: Battery/Starter/Wiring issue 1985 Westy w/
2.1L & 4sp
Dropped in at mechanic's to check sluggish starter:
. Recently (within last year) rebuilt starter drawing 300A when hot, cold
unknown yet.
. Battery at 13.1V when van running.
Mechanic suggests starter should be drawing no more than ~150A - bad
rebuild?
Also suggests replacing regulator. That's cheap & easy as I have a aspare
(used).
Any other trees I should be barking up?
Karl Wolz
|-----Original Message-----
|From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
|On Behalf Of Karl Wolz
|Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 9:18 PM
|To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|Subject: Battery/Starter/Wiring issue 1985 Westy w/ 2.1L & 4sp
|
|Went for a shakedown cruise today, wandering up from Phoenix to the top
|of Mingus Mtn. (above 7000 ft.), where we did some scrubbing and
|checking of this and that in nice cool air. Got back to Phx around
|4pm, with the temperature around 112 degrees. Filled up at Costco to
|check trip mileage (17.8, which kinda sucks), turned the key and had
|super slow starter motor for a couple seconds, then normal and fired
|right up.
|
|Several questions:
|This trip is the first time I've used the AC in about 15 years, and the
|frist time I've used with the 2.1L engine; how much should I expect the
|A/C cut into fuel economy? I drove about normal speed (65 - 75) for
|most of the trip; this usually yields just shy of 20 mpg.
|
|Starter issue - I've replaced the battery to starter wire and the the
|alternator to starter wire with 2ga. The starter was recently rebuilt,
|the engine normally turns easily. I have NOT replaced the starter
|ground connection, and have not inspected that wire. This slow starter
|(Uerh -
|uerh) was the reason I replaced the wiring, and since then, it has
|turned quite quickly and starter right up every time. I'd imagine the
|heat had some effect, and I certainly should take a close look at that
|battery ground wire. Any other thoughts?
|
|Thanks in advance,
|
|Karl Wolz
|-----
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