Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:22:54 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: won't start
In-Reply-To: <20121111190034.X65ZZ.124883.imail@eastrmwml205>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
It is very common for these starters to fail this way. For whatever reason either the solenoid does not move or the contacts gets messed up causing a no turn over. Bad brushes/commutator can also be a problem. To properly troubleshot, get meter connected to solenoid trigger wire and ground. Have someone turn key to start. If voltage is there (10.5+) the solenoid should pull in and it should try to start. If no or very low voltage then you have a wiring problem. Of course you can change parts and add modifications until it works. But really try to diagnose what is happening and using a meter is the way to do it.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2012 7:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: won't start
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
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