Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:26:25 -1000
Reply-To: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: No start :-(
In-Reply-To: <000001d0d940$ec85f240$c591d6c0$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
and incredible effecient and easy way to start on this one..
get a must-have Remote Starter Switch ..
connect it to the Trigger Terminal on the Starter and good 12 volts..
see if it cranks that way.
if it does ..that says starter, battery and cables are good.
Then you wonder about ignition switch and that wiring.
if it does not, then you think about starter itself.
there are two 12 volt connections on a later waterboxer vanagon that can
get ya..
one is at back of alternator,
other is in the Black Junction Box , I believe.
Always check/inspect/repair/restore those ...they are a weak area after
many years.
simple test on Ign. Switch :
*Always* have a spare ign switch on hand...small , not that expensive,
can save your butt.
you don't even have to replace the existing one to do this test..
just drop lower plastic cover around steering wheel...
unplug harness from existing Ign Switch ..plug in your test/known good
one, turn it with a screw driver .
Easy to do, works great.
don't even have to get under anything.
always watch the warning lights during starter operation ..
sometimes you'll get info there..like if they go out when you turn the
key ...consider battery cable connections.
Always test for the fuel pump pre-run when turning key to just 'on.'
.... if that feature is like the stock vanagon on yours.
On 8/17/2015 1:03 PM, PSD wrote:
> So did you have your keys in the ignition? If so, I would suspect the
> switch went bad. Otherwise Tap the starter while somebody tries cranking
> it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Harry Hoffman
> Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 6:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: No start :-(
>
> Hi Volks,
>
> tl;dr: my van isn't starting. Battery seems OK, registers 13.5V. The starter
> doesn't turn. '89 vanagon bostig engine, running fine. Battery originally
> low...
>
> OK, done with the summary. My van has been bulletproof for quite some time.
> Just the other day I drive home from work, park the car and later come out
> to leave and it's a no-start.
> I've got a marine battery charger on it and it shows a charging status.
> after charging I hear the familiar chime of leaving the keys in and having
> the door open which made me realize I had a low battery. (I didn't realize I
> hadn't heard it before).
> So, it seems all charged up but still no start.
> Where does the troubleshooting begin?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Cheers,
> Harry
>
