Date:         Thu, 2 Feb 2006 15:13:20 -0800
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: recap (still not fixed) Re: Update (not fixed...) Re: FIXED?
              (and, advice needed...) (was: Re: low voltage,
              starter running intermittently, but alternator is okay?)
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

Did I miss the end of this? What happened?

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wesley Pegden" <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: recap (still not fixed) Re: Update (not fixed...) Re: FIXED?
(and, advice needed...) (was: Re: low voltage, starter running
intermittently, but alternator is okay?)


> Again, thanks for the replies guys... I'll get this fixed eventually.  I
> just went out and put a voltmeter on the back of the starter (well
> solenoid, actually) on the post where current is supplied (on mine I
> have two wires on this post?).  Anyways, With everything off, voltage
> there is 12.6, basically what it is at the battery.  If I turn the key
> and it fails to start, voltage at the starter is measures 11.8-11.9.  Is
> this voltage high enough that I should be suspecting my starter, or low
> enough that I should be blaming my connections?  In the meantime, I'm
> going to check this connection, Mike, since I'm out of other ideas.
>
> -Wes
>
> (For those just joining the discussion, the van is an '84 1.9l manual,
> with an intermittent start problem, which seems to be fairly unaffected
> by temperature, or for how long it's previously been driven.  Battery
> tests fine at a FLAPS, and I've replaced the alternator, starter,
> starter bushing, and replaced and cleaned the battery and transmission
> grounds.  Engine compartment ground is also new.  Voltage when running
> is 13.8v.)
>
>
> Mike Frost wrote:
>> On my '86, the big positive wire on the alternator goes to a black
>> plastic
>> junction box mounted on the firewall just above the thermostat housing.
>> Inside the junction box, the wire is bolted to a stud which is the main
>> connection point between the battery and the alternator/starter motor. I
>> found this point to be corroded and the resistance was causing the
>> connection to heat up. This is the most likely spot to cause a big drop
>> in
>> current/voltage going to the engine from the battery. The fact that you
>> only
>> have problems when starting makes it seem likely that the battery does
>> not
>> have a clean path to (or thru) the engine compartment. Once the engine is
>> running, all the current is supplied by the alternator.
>>
>> On 1/27/06, Wesley Pegden <wes@cs.uchicago.edu> wrote:
>>
>>> Today I tried a new ignition switch and changed out the transmission
>>> ground strap.  Neither fixed the problem.  I don't have any ideas past
>>> the starter at this point.  I also tried jumping the battery, as some
>>> have suggested my problem might still be a bad battery.  No dice.
>>>
>>>
>>> -Wes
>>>
>>> Roger Sisler wrote:
>>>
>>>> ground straps, ignition switch plug,then take your new starter to an
>>>> advance auto parts store and have them test it for free.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>