Date:         Mon, 4 Oct 1999 17:50:18 -0400
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sick 78 Van
Comments: To: "EdGoodrow@AOL.COM" <EdGoodrow@AOL.COM>

Well, your description is a little vague ed...when you say "he parked it,
then --Nothing" you mean it won't turn overnow? or it won't fire?  or it
fires but wont run? or the van completely disappeared from his driveway? I
am sorry to be such a literalist, but I come from a long line of---I
digress..

There are a thousand things it could be. Well, maybe not a thousand, but
based on your description, LOTS. First off, charge the battery, or hook up
jumper cables so you have plenty of juice. Next, since we know it was
running before, see if it will start once it has enough electrons. No?

Does it have enough gas? Are the spark plugs good? The points? Are all the
fuses okay? Is everything grounded properly? Is everything completely dry?
Is everything plugged in tightly? Is the fuel pump whirring? Is there a
banana stuck in the tailpipe? How many packs of ketchup are smashed in the
bottom of the glove box? On a '78 the maximum was 4.

Check again for spark. No spark means no ignition. Replace the points. My
1976's went through points like they were Honey Nut Cheerios. Try again.
No? what about the fuel filter? Can you feel the injectors click when he
tries to start it (during run-over)? Does he have any Right-Wing bumper
stickers on the back of the van? My 1976 would tolerate a "Jesus Saves"
sticker, but left me on the side of the road when I applied a "Nixon Now!"
sticker. The 1970's busses have a low tolerance for Right Wing Propaganda.
A St. Christopher Medal is okay, but an NRA sticker might be the problem.

Best of luck.

G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree


-----Original Message-----
From:   Ed Goodrow [SMTP:EdGoodrow@AOL.COM]
Sent:   Monday, October 04, 1999 5:06 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Sick 78 Van

Hi All:
   My neighbor has a 1978, all orginal, parked it after a brief drive and
this morning - nothing.  He had worn the battery down pretty good but when
I
tested for spark I got nothing.  Any suggestions for an area to look for
problems?

Thanks;
Ed