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Date:         Wed, 24 Dec 2014 09:33:44 -0600
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Trying to understand starter stuff adding a relay
Comments: To: Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CANY=VZZUBDMPWJ7qgKeiBr0Qo1mnKd_11ryyr=GCwrJAfkUNHw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

If I got rid of every point of failure on my Vanagon, I would be looking at the spare tire sitting in the driveway, if that.

Jim

On Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 8:22 AM, Miguel Pacheco <mundopacheco@gmail.com> wrote:

> A timely warning. A PO crudely wired in a Hard Start Relay on one of my > current Syncro projects. I backed it into a parking space at the office > (backing in required/company policy,) and left it in reverse, sans > emergency brake (not working.) The solenoid somehow became energized and > the van powered over the cement parking stop and across the sidewalk, > nestled itself against the office building, where it continued cranking > until the battery died. I snipped that rat's nest out of there and now > can't find it to inspect it for exact point of failure. The relay was > exposed, hanging next to the tranny, there was about 6' of extra wire all > coiled up with connections crudely twisted on and held with gobs of > electrical tape. Still, the point is that, even if done right, it is an > added point of failure. A potentially dangerous one. > I have installed a new Starter and properly restored the wiring to stock. A > slow turning starter condition still exists and, as Dennis advises, I know > that it doesn't need an added relay, but, clearly, the PO thought it did. > > *Miguel* > > *The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it- basically because > you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them. * > *- Charles Bukowski, Tales of Ordinary* > > > > On Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 6:39 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > wrote: > > > In know there are many that see this as an upgrade but in fact you are > > just adding another failure point. For all of our vans the original > design > > has lasted for 23 years + with maybe a few switch failures. Things fail. > > The really does nothing to help a slow turning starter. All it does is > > help get the starter solenoid to pull the gear out and make the contact > for > > the starter motor. The other point of failure is these relays can fail > > closed. That makes for bad day. The relay used for this should be of a > type > > designed for an inductive load (arching) and be of a double break, spring > > loaded design. If installed in the engine compartment or otherwise > outside > > it should also be sealed or at least enclosed to keep most weather out. > > > > Slow turning starters are usually a sign of a bad battery, cables, or the > > starter itself. For an upgrade ask for 87 and later as they are slightly > > higher horsepower, (.8 instead .7). I know Bosch is our preferred brand > but > > I have had many over the years that were not right. The relationship of > > volts/amps/power gets very complex with these types of motors but if a > new > > starter is slow to turn testing needs to be done to establish why. I find > > that if I get a bad starter it is usually a batch problem so the next 3 > or > > 4 will also be bad. I have recently had very good luck with starters and > > alternators from NAPA and AutoZone. > > > > Merry Christmas > > Dennis > > >


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