Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 21:27:25 -0400
Reply-To: John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Organization: Microsoft Corporation
Subject: Re: Help -Stranded & need advice...
Sean, you Vanagon sounds very similar to the one that I have in my garage.
Have been there, done that with the "no-start" problem. The neutral-start
switch at base of auto. trans. selector lever may be dirty or too worn to
make good contact. No contact means no start. Quick fix is to pull the
housing around the bottom of the shift lever and wire around the switch.
John in Middle Georgia
----- Original Message -----
From: Sean O'Neil <soneil@NS.SYMPATICO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 25, 1999 8:53 PM
Subject: Help -Stranded & need advice...
> I throw myself on the mercy of the list.
>
> The facts:
>
> 84 Westy, 1.9L. automatic.
> 164,000 Kilometres
>
> Until now, runs like a top. No head leaks, no power fades, rigourously
> maintained. In the last two months I have replaced the rad and front
> connector hoses due to a rad meltdown. At same time replaced front
> calipers, pads, and had rotors turned. New shoes in back and the
> appropriate adjustments.
>
> This isn't a brake problem though ( at least I'm pretty sure it isn't ).
>
> Replaced ECU (digijet) in early summer. My van loved having a new brain.
> Ran better than ever.
>
> Today I drove to our local farmers market where we sell leather items.
> Van runs fine. Drive to the grocery store after (where a large number of
> farmers market craft vendors buy their food cause we can't afford the
> stuff sold at the market). Again, Van runs fine.
>
> Drive to the local for a pint with friends. Van runs fine.
>
> Drive to the liquour store on the way home because we are supposed to
> market all day tomorrow and I'll sure want a thirst quencher at the end
> of the day (Canada - no liquour, wine, or beer sales on Sunday). Van
> runs fine.
>
> Pick up our beverage selection for Sunday evening. Go to start the van -
> nothing. Starter doesn't even attempt to turn over. Move all our market
> goods off the rear cushion, open engine cover and have wife try to start
> van. Fuel pump is good, whirring away as it should, but that's it. Seems
> to be power to lights, radio, etc but no starter kickover at all.
>
> As it is dark, rainy, and we are stranded in front of a very busy liquor
> store in Halifax on a Saturday night. there is nothing to do but lock it
> up tight and tell the liquor store manager and the resident police
> officer that she's broke and it's too dark and busy to try doing
> anything about it right now. They are cool about it. So it won't be
> towed in the morning.
>
> I did check fuses and battery cables. All looked well. I have no idea
> how to proceed from here. I'm sure it's something simple and
> straightforward but all common sense left me when this very reliable
> vehicle left me stranded with groceries, a dog, a wife in tears, and a
> market to be at tomorrow a.m.
>
> I'll just add that this van is my daily driver, I have no backup
> transport, and I am fairly severely disabled. I can get under the van,
> have a good set of rudimentary tools, and am willing to follow any
> suggestions that the list might have but I am no mechanic.
>
> Please help with your suggestions if you can ...
>
> TIA
>
> Sean O'Neil
> Halifax, Nova Scotia
> Canada
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