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Date:         Sun, 16 Feb 2014 03:59:56 -0600
Reply-To:     JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: vanagon fire
Comments: To: Art Jury <kf7gd7@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAEcEDArtgxu7Vdyv0dzB+SRrGVEEfY3LrKF5iPqKnZi9kuB3NA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Art,

Regarding headlight relays, this is a most excellent upgrade that solved some headaches on the vans. The are available in kits from a number of our vendors listed on Vanagon.com. I happened to get mine from Jay Brown. He follows the list here. Most relay kits are set up to put the actual relays on the fuse block. I hated that. I found that under the instrument pod cover - on the left side - there is enough room to mount both relays. Jay made me some longer custom wiring that would reach that spot. Changing the relays there is so easy. Also much easier to trouble shoot as well. These relays BTW - are available at most any FLAPS - NAPA, AutoZone, Advance, etc. for $20.

Good luck.

John

On 2/15/2014 11:56 PM, Art Jury wrote: > Thank you for the advice I was wondering what hose to get and planning to > research it. > > I would disagree with this though. (#2 for me) > > When you have the switches on the dash board switching the relays instead > of the direct power you should end up switching a lot less current with the > 25 year old parts. Every time you switch a high current circuit (for > instance headlights) you wear out the switch a bit (think small lightning > bolt). I can buy 10 good quality relays for $20 (40 amp). If one fails I > can just plug another one in. Im sure Ill come up with something that > works, NASA let me wire and trouble shoot airplanes for 15 years. > Electrons I can chase. The mechanical bits make me scratch my head. Ill > try to post something when I come up with a solution and test it for a > while. > > #2 Check electrical lines, add fuse next to battery and put in relays for > the headlights (electrical fires bad as well also old eyes need more light). > Re-feeding the headlight switch from a direct battery supply instead of the > ignition switch will provide the same results as the relays. Consider > improving the current path from the alternator to the battery, and then the > dash board. While driving, the alternator, not the battery is your power > source. Don't just add fuses to the battery circuits. You need to know what > you're doing. You can't easily fuse the starter cable. > > > > > On Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 5:25 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote: > >> See comments below. >> >> Dennis >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of >> Art Jury >> Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 1:12 AM >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> Subject: vanagon fire >> >> Tracing fuel lines is my next project, thanks for the advice! >> >> The plastic firstarter is not there, the PO had the engine rebuilt and >> claimed it was taken care of. Since he was a long time owner of vanagons >> (and had 2 burn on him) I think he is probably right but since it will be >> my >> fat in the fire Ill check it on my own. >> >> I messed up I usually ask for parts so I can fiddle with them but with the >> time crunch to get the new plates I did not this time. >> >> It was not a big expense in any case but I suspect it did not really fix >> the >> problem so I will make it my 3rd or 4th priority. >> >> #1 fuel lines >> Be sure to get good stuff. The original lasted 15 to 25 years in many >> cases. >> All the aftermarket stuff seems to need a 2 to 5 year replacement cycle. VW >> actually specifies a different hose for the fuel rail supply then other >> parts of the vehicle. They also changed the clamp design around 90 or so. I >> get the hose and the outer sleeve from them. Bel-Metric has the good >> squeeze >> (crimp) type hose clamps if you like those. >> >> #2 Check electrical lines, add fuse next to battery and put in relays for >> the headlights (electrical fires bad as well also old eyes need more >> light). >> Re-feeding the headlight switch from a direct battery supply instead of the >> ignition switch will provide the same results as the relays. Consider >> improving the current path from the alternator to the battery, and then the >> dash board. While driving, the alternator, not the battery is your power >> source. Don't just add fuses to the battery circuits. You need to know what >> you're doing. You can't easily fuse the starter cable. >> >> #3 Fix lose shifter gates, hard to find the gear, I have driven other >> vanagons and have a friend that has owned a few so I know it can be made >> better than it is. >> A proper adjustment can do wonders. Many shifting problems can be caused by >> transmission or clutch problems. >> >> # 4 make sure the engine is burning the fuel correctly, I dont know much >> about engines but incorect combustion can only be wasteful at best and >> dirty things up at worst. Fortunately in Washington state after 25 years >> I no longer have to pass smog and with a 24 year old van that means I'm >> done. >> >> If you failed any states emissions test program you know you have a >> problem. >> >> >> >> Somewhere between 3 and 4 I hope to make a trip or 2 with my family to >> enjoy >> the van. >> >> Thank you for the warm welcome volks! >> >> ARt. >> >> -- >> The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not >> expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson >> >> "You don't pay back, you pay forward." Robert A. Heinlein >> > > > > -- > The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not > expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson > > "You don't pay back, you pay forward." Robert A. Heinlein >


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