Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:28:26 -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: won't start
In-Reply-To: <20121111190034.X65ZZ.124883.imail@eastrmwml205>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
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
>
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