Date:         Wed, 16 Dec 2015 19:21:11 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Hersh <cmwolfsburg@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Hersh <cmwolfsburg@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Hard/no start story, '86 2.1, AT, mostly removed AC
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Hi Volks,

Sparing all the gory details about how this happened, I pulled the in-dash
stereo out of my 1986 Vanagon (2.1 L, automatic, removed AC, although some
electrical parts remain) and now I have starting issues.


I had no starting issues previous to pulling the stereo (recently completed
10K mile, 7-week road trip). The stereo gets power from the auxiliary
battery, not the main battery. I simply slid out of the mounting bracket
and I unplugged the plug from the power and speaker harness.


Then I had an appointment to get to, and no start.  Cranked fine, but no
start.  Maybe one “chug” in 15 tries.  I thought I could hear the fuel pump
kicking in (the van was making all the same sounds it always did; I have
always paused after moving the key from off to “on” and before cranking).
Then again, maybe at some times I did not hear the “whirrrr.”

Perplexed, I thought I jostled something behind the dash.   I looked in the
hole where the stereo was and everything looked OK (in other words, a mess
of wires).

I’m kind of convinced at this point that it’s a fuel problem so I check the
wires at the fuel pump.  OK.  I look at the Bentley and I locate what I
think is the fuel pump relay above the fuse box.  Pull it out, thwack it
with my index finger and plug it back in.  Starts right up.  Make my
appointment (at a storage facility), park it.  Just for giggles, I turn it
off and re-try.   Success.  Turn it off and go do other things for a month.


Fast forward.  The van has just sat for a month, in mild temperatures and
light rain in northern CA.  I have some trouble starting it, but it does
eventually fire.  I move it to a friend’s place and park it.  I go back the
next day (to put a car cover on it) and have more trouble starting it.  I
turn it around (easier access to the sliding door with the cover) and turn
it off.  Try it again and nothing.  I figure something needs more
attention, so I give up.

I’m not near it or the Bentley now, but I’m going to have to go back and
get it running in a couple weeks.  My first thought is to replace the fuel
pump relay.


After starting it runs fine. Idles high for too long (I think), but it's
been doing that for a while (even before the road trip).

But why on earth would it cause me an issue after pulling the stereo
(powered by a different battery)?  I don’t believe in coincidences.

Is there some other start relay/contraption that I should be looking at?
The relay in question is relatively cheap (I think), so it seems easy
enough to start there. But if there's something else I should be taking
with me when I return to it, I'd like some ideas now.

Thanks

Mark

-- 
86 Campmobile Six-Seater "Monty"

Black dogs are euthanized at a greater rate than other-colored dogs,
regardless of temperament.  Learn about Black Dog Syndrome at
http://www.blackpearldogs.com/  Learn about black dogs in a Vanagon at
http://www.pbase.com/mhersh/image/108220533