Date:         Sun, 19 Apr 2015 13:01:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: [WetWesties] Help!!! Won't start
Comments: To: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To:  <50E9A825-23DF-4134-910F-0C8F27E11E1F@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

You would need to take off the shifter cover and jump or connect the heavy ignition wire to the other wires (except the reverse wire).  See Bentley wiring diagrams.

They rarely fail in the Park position, so you can usually start the car even with a worn switch.  Most common failures I've found is you can't start the car in neutral, or the reverse lights don't work. 

Not being able to start in neutral is a problem if the engine dies while moving, since you have to roll to a safe stopping place and put it into park to start it which can be tricky. BTDT.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: OlRivrRat [mailto:OlRivrRat@comcast.net] 
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 12:50 PM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: [WetWesties] Help!!! Won't start

        Knowing how to Bypass it could sure Help someone out of a Jam if that happened to be the culprit ~

                                                                                        ORR ~ DeanB

On 19 Apr , 2015, at 11:44 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:

> It prevents starting in gear, and you don't want to bypass that! I've 
> replaced them on both the vans I work on, they have soft brass 
> contacts and don't last 25 years. Replace both the switch and wiper, 
> and add a couple of LED lights while you are in there: 
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=21767&category_id=21754&
> category_parent_id=
> 
> Stuart
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On 
> Behalf Of Rob
> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 8:28 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: [WetWesties] Help!!! Won't start
> 
> Very common? Telling how to bypass it would be a huge help!
> 
> Rob
> vwrobb@gmail.com
> 
> 
> 
> At  4/19/2015 07:06 AM, Frank Condelli wrote:
>>        Automatic, I bet it’ s the neutral safety switch on the 
>> shift lever.  Either or both the switch and contact plate are worn 
>> out.  Very common on the automatics these days !  That switch and 
>> contact plate were not made to be used as much as we have been using 
>> them !
>> 
>> 
>>> On Apr 18, 2015, at 9:00 PM, Automatic digest
>> processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Re: [WetWesties] Help!!! Won't start