Date:         Thu, 30 Apr 1998 12:27:58 -0700
Reply-To:     Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Battery dead FAST!
Comments: To: David Ohlemacher <dmo1205@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Comments: cc: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

---David Ohlemacher <dmo1205@IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:
>
> OK, I need the wisdom of the group here . . .
>
> My wife takes the Vanagon on it's normal daily outting, school,
stores, etc. Along the way she stops the Vanagon about 4 different
times for about 20 -40 min each time. At the last stop, boom, dead
battery, won't crank but maybe once (battery is less than 3 years
old), she calls me I think OK, batteries sometimes go dead quck, so I
pick up a new one and drive it over to her, install it and it starts
fine. She hasn't noticed anything different all morning, no warning
lights, no smoke, no funny noises. Off she goes, off I go back to
work, 30 min later shes calls me and the one time she turned off the
engine (for less than 5 min) boom, dead battery.
>
> We pop the clutch and it starts so now it sits in the garage, still
won't crank.  I've looked over the van and can't see anything obvious,
but I'm not sure where to look. It happened so fast it has to be
something simple, what could short out/kill a battery so fast?  Where
do I start looking?
>
> Need the groups help on this
>
> Thanks
>
> Dave
> 86 Vanagon GL

Dave,

First, check the obvious- see if the caps on top of the battery
connectors are missing. After that, go to a FLAPS and have them hook
their diagnostic machine up to your battery to see what the deal is.

If the FLAPS is no help, it's time to do this procedure:

1. Make sure the battery is charged.

2. Make sure all electrical accessories are off.

2. Locate fuse block under dash.

3. Remove the first fuse.

4. Stick the prongs of a voltometer in there to check for current.

4a. If there is no current, replace fuse and repeat procedure on next
fuse.

4b. If there is current, you have an electrical leak. IF you find an
electrical leak, post a message describing which electrical group
shows current flowing.

Good luck!
Sam
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