Date:         Wed, 30 Oct 2013 22:17:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject:      Re: Fuel pump noise
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAHTkEu+gn55A+bPDHzeRPO-GUaCF8Mh+LGNXdDLefadGan5_Vg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I'd think that when the lights are on, there's less voltage available to
the fuel pump ..so it's quiter.
Lights off, more voltage available to pump ..it's noisier.

I would speculate that the pump is drawing more current than it should,
or used to.
Also ..
first thing to check on something like this ...iis charging voltage,
both at the alternator output post, and at the battery.
It's it's at least 13.8 volts at the battery ...that is just enough, but
not as good as say 14.0 volts at the battery.

The two readings should be fairly close ......   with in a few tenths of
a volt.
Half a volt less at the battery say .......I'd be thinking about wires
and cables and connections ..

it would be interesting to measure the current draw of the fuel pump.
I use an old dash amp meter ..........or a digital voltmeter if it'll
measure amps.

I'd check what's in the fuel filter too.

S.
On 10/30/2013 9:48 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
>     I've noticed my fuel pump (about 2yrs old) has been getting a bit noisy
> lately.   I've been planning on changing the filter (about one year old) as
> a preventative preliminary to my winter trip.   I can now hear the pump
> quite loudly even from outside the van as I get out to open our gates.
> Today I noticed that when I turn the headlights off and on, the pump note
> changes....
>
>     Ya think I should also pull the alternator and change the brushes?  Two
> year or so on the alternator, too.   84 van with a 2.0l inline VW engine
> and digifant....
>
> I am about to pull it into my shop and do the tranny oil again, check the
> CVs and all the other stuff on the underside, as wall as pull the plugs for
> a looksee, check the hoses,  etc etc..  in prep for a snowbird trip of
> probably 4k miles and a couple of months away....
>
>    Never noticed the changing note of the fuel pump with headlights on or
> off...is that kinda normal or should I trace that down as a potential
> problem?
>     Thanks Don Hanson
>