Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:06:38 -0800
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: Sluggish starter fix
In-Reply-To: <C85BDAD4-FA58-469B-AEDD-5AF96E7A7969@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
see if this helps clarify things ..
there is a thing called a 'starter booster relay' ..
traditional in VW's going back to the 60's or earlier.
the time to use such a device is when the signal from the key ..to the
'trigger terminal' on the starter solenoid is weak..
as in old tired wires ..
as in weak igntion switch.
when you wire a relay in like this ..
rather than having to fire the solenoid with wires that go from battery
, to the ign switch, then back to the starter ..
the ign switch only has to energize a small relay ..
which is about a 50th of the current it used to have to deliver to the
solenoid.
AND...
if the solenoid is getting fired strongly by the igntion switch (
*always* *always* connect a Remote starter Switch, a tool to your
trigger teminal of the solenoid so all that circitry from the ign switch
is bypassed...then see what it does.
if it's the same ..it's not the ignition switch circuit.
if it's better, then the ign circuit is weak .and a relay will help. Or
you need a new ign switch and they are very weak and underbuilt on
vanagons in general..though they do last decades sometimes. )
< re 'remote starter switch' ..I simply could not fix vanagons without
one ..in my opinion anyone working on starter cranking issues is just
wasting time to not have and use one. As a challenge I'll say "I
wonder if people are smart enough to see the value of this tool and use
it". >
< btw...same goes for working on an engine that's not behaving ..always
start it from back there..it's just good to be by the engine ..saves a
lot of going back and forth etc. >
now ..if it still cranks hard ...when you know it's not the ignition
triggering circuit..
then you think...
tired starter.
tired starter bushing in the bell housing ( if waterboxer )
poor ground connection at the grnd cable at the front of the trans
undersize or weak battery cables.. or poor connections.
weak battery ( a small hydrometer costs about $ 3 at a FLAPS .....will
immediately tell you if you have one bad cell in a battery , which is
how they usually fail. )
and if the starter 'looks' 50 yrs old..
or it is an elcheapo rebuild ...those are red flags regarding the
starter itself.
but always do the remote starter test first.
some people even rig a wire in the engine compartment just for that -
easy hook up.
Heck ..if you make the wire long enough ..
you can just touch it to the positive post of the alternator in an
emergency , to operate the starter or test its operation.
scott
www.turbovans.com
On 2/29/2012 7:56 AM, Chris S. wrote:
> Someone mentioned to me there's a kit out there to take juice more directly to the starter motor to help with sluggish starting when hot. This is not a solenoid relay kit. Would you know where I can purchase this or how I can make one?
>
> Chris.
>
> Wysłane z iPhone'a
