Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 12:27:28 -0700
Reply-To: Gene P <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gene P <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Ignition/starter switch failures
In-Reply-To: <CANEuo0hY10XQJRqm3OpSReeXM9ahM+VsobfxinM-vXXAfA+pfA@mail.gmail.com>
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On Wed, May 13, 2015 at 8:18 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
How you can tell the difference between a low quality switch and the best
one you can get is
that the good ones have a black base and you can actually see where the OE
VW logo was ground off. These are currently being sold as Kostal brand.
... Ken, would you say more about what's going on with these? I got one of
the black & white switches awhile back and wondered about the lack of any
identifying logo or packaging, and that grinding mark where something was
removed. Why was the VW logo removed? If they are leftovers unbranded and
sold as something else, why?
On Wed, May 13, 2015 at 8:18 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> Ed, you want to get the best quality switch you can. How you can tell the
> difference between a low quality switch and the best one you can get is
> that the good ones have a black base and you can actually see where the OE
> VW logo was ground off. These are currently being sold as Kostal brand.
> We have them in stock at the moment, although a couple of years ago they
> were being difficult to get and people were supplying whatever they could
> get their hands on.
>
> If you are installing one of these nice units and still having problems
> then I would suggest that there is an electrical problem that is frying
> your switches. Sometimes if the mechanical part of the switch is worn out
> (the key part) it can allow enough play to break the switch because it
> allows the mechanical part to move off center.
>
> If that isn't the problem then dissect the old switch (popping it apart)
> and you should be able to see what part is frying and then use the wiring
> diagram to investigate that circuit.
>
> Let me know if we can be of service.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
> On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 6:50 PM, Ed McLean <email99@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> > Over the last year I have had 3 ignition/starter switch (111 905 865L)
> > failures after not having but 3 failures in the preceding 22 years, all
> > with the same Vanagon.
> >
> > Has the quality of these electrical switches declined? They look just
> > like they always have.
> >
> > I haven't changed the load on the switch with recent modifications or
> > component replacements except for the starter so I don't think they are
> > being overloaded. Does the gear drive TDI Jetta Bosch starter draw more
> > current for solenoid activation than the original late Vanagon starter?
> >
> > Maybe I have just gotten a bad batch of switches?
> >
> > Is there a particular brand of switches to steer clear of or is there a
> > brand that is superior to others? One of these that failed was Meyle
> > brand and another was a premium priced one from Worldpac. Does anyone
> > have any experience with NAPA's Altrom brand"
> >
> > Thanks for any and all comments.
> >
> > Ed
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
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