Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 21:53:04 -0300
Reply-To: Sean O'Neil <soneil@NS.SYMPATICO.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sean O'Neil <soneil@NS.SYMPATICO.CA>
Subject: Help -Stranded & need advice...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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