Date:         Mon, 19 May 2014 10:03:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Intermittent no start problem solved
Comments: To: Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca>
In-Reply-To:  <974D1263-F020-4A22-963D-5C09D3ADCB02@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Thanks for the "reminder" and tip Alistair. Good troubleshooting!

I've been meaning to keep a spare ignition switch handy when my
similar no start occurs. I have a different engine but the fuel pump
prime time length *sounds* very very short (or none at all) compared
to my '88 stock WBX.

When the no start occurs, bypassing fuel pump relay always allows the
engine to start normally. I now wonder if it's simply an issue with
the 15 or 50 contact(s) of the ign. switch. I've read that the switch
has several to many contacts. I see this in Bentley too.

Neil.

On 5/18/14, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> B me over the last few weeks the van would sometimes take quite a few tries
> with the starter to fire up. I couldn't make out any real pattern, sometimes
> it would fire right up, sometimes I would have to crank and crank.
>
> If I was forced, I would say it happened more often with the engine warm.

> I had my wife crank the engine and I measured voltage to the coil. I
> wondered if there was a voltage drop problem during starting. Well it was
> more than a voltage drop, it was a voltage absence during starter cranking.
>

> I got out a spare, and plugged it in to the steering column plug and turned
> it with a screwdriver. Engine started up immediately. Tried it again and
> again, engine started.

--
Neil n

Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca

'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:

http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej