Date:         Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:30:51 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: won't start
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds8973D749C1D28C0DB8A45A06D0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

One addition to what Dennis said:
  We are talking about testing the voltage delivered to the starter trigger
terminal by the wire from the ignition switch while the wire is connected
to the starter.  Ideally, this would be when the starter is refusing to
activate.
  Measuring the voltage on that wire with no load on it does not give you
much meaningful information.

Larry A.


On Mon, Nov 12, 2012 at 12:22 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> 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
>