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Date:         Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:53:43 -0800
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: won't start
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
In-Reply-To:  <20121112192902.8P33E.137224.imail@eastrmwml213>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Your intermittent symptoms (no start, no nothing when hot---all magically fixed the next morning when cold) sound identical to mine (85 manual).  It was the starter solenoid.  If it happens again, list wisdom says to whack the starter with a big wrench or piece of wood or rock or something to unstick things inside the solenoid for a temporary fix.

Rich San Diego

--- On Mon, 11/12/12, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote:

From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> Subject: Re: won't start To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Date: Monday, November 12, 2012, 4:29 PM

Well, my bad regarding the clutch having a switch.  Sorry for the ignorance.

An update, for what it's worth.  I have not really gotten into the situation much.  Today, I cannot duplicate the problem (sounds like something from a dealer regarding a vehicle under warranty).  When I went out this morning, ambient temperature 24 F, started right up, just like always.  I drove it till it warmed to normal running temperature, shut it down, and it restarted fine, no evidence of a malfunction.  I repeated that several times, then let it sit until cold.  It started fine.  So, maybe that suggests where to start a bit more?  Still likely the ignition switch?  Or the solenoid?  Or just a loose wire?

Thanks to all who responded already, and I'll get more into the matter tomorrow.  Today I had to deal with a two year old furnace that decided it didn't want to work.  But that is working now.  So maybe tomorrow more time on the beast.

mcneely

---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote: > HI Dave, > one place to start is .. > there is no switch on the clutch pedal.. > AND .. > I do not recommned starting manual trans Vanagons with the clutch pedal > pushed down.. > it just adds stress to things. >   Start clutch-up-in-neutral, unless it's like 10 below zero .. > in which case one might hold the clutch down to eleminiate gear oil drag > in the starting process. > > I always just whip out my Remote Starter Switch ... > connect it to the trigger temrinal on the starter  ----  or my cheater > wire in the engine compartment.. > if you arrange that right, it can reach the alternator main post, so you > have your own self-rescue alternatrive circuit to energize the starter. > > plus ..that bypasses the ign sw and all the wires going from rear to > front in the van. > > the easiest first thing for you to is pop on another ign swtich as a > simple test. > eyeball the starter itself ..in case it looks ancient. > > check your trans ground strap and batter post connectionsof course. > > scott > www.turbovans.com > > > On 11/11/2012 4:00 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote: > > My 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile with stock 2.1 liter engine and manual transmission has quit.  This morning I was at a remote location in the Oklahoma Ozarks.  I got everything packed up and ready to roll (in a driving rain, no less), but when I hit the ignition switch, all I got was the proper blinking lights and silence, a behavior I have never, never experienced with this beast.  Not a buzz, not a click, but silence.  I switched off and on several times, and released and depressed the clutch several times, and bingo -- engine turned over and the vehicle started.  I had to buy gasoline after a drive of 50 miles or so, and the same thing happened.  Then I drove home, parked in my driveway, and shut off the engine.  This time no go when I tried to start it again.  The same exact silence as before, except this time I could not find a "sweet spot" that would get the engine to turn over. > > > > It seemed to me as if there was no current to the starter.  At this point, I have not explored anything, as I was pretty tired when I got here.  Tomorrow, I'll see what gives.  But, I'm asking first, where to start.  Switch on the clutch pedal, ignition switch, wire to the starter?  The thing ran fine all the way home in the pouring rain, lights on, everything seemingly normal, so I don't really suspect the battery or the charging system.  It's almost as if something is loose, but what are the best candidates? > > > > Thanks, mcneely > > >

-- David McNeely


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