Date:         Sun, 6 Aug 2006 07:34:32 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Have I damaged my control unit?
Comments: To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Jeff,
  There is no way you would have damaged anything by connecting a
voltmeter (assuming it was set to measure volts, not amps or ohms).
A test light using an LED passes very little current and would be
unlikely to damage anything.
  If your test lite has a conventional bulb, there is a remote chance it
could cause damage IF you connected it from +12 to that terminal 86
which leads to the ECU.
If the other connection was to ground you wouldn't hurt anything.

HTH
Larry A.


Jeff Oxroad wrote:

>I'm having trouble getting my 83.5 1.9L to start.
>
>There are a lot of things to consider, but I have one question at this point
>before I go further.
>
>Having checked the fuel injection relays in the secret "high voltage" box I
>may have donor something horrible--or maybe not.
>
>In Bentely Fuel Injection, AFC System pg. 23.32: Relays Checking (with relays
>installed)
>
>I just read in Bentley "CAUTION: Do not connect any test light to terminal 86
>of adaptor  C if control unit is connected"
>
>Having not read that earlier I was seeing where there was power coming off
>the relays with the ignition switched on. I had the negative lead from the
>voltmeter grounded to the engine black. I checked to see if and where there was
>power at the relays. All had power except the 87 of adaptor C. Thing is I checked
>86 of adaptor C with the voltmeter and got a 12V reading. no sparks no
>nothing. Seemed uneventful.
>
>>From what I read 87 of C should only be hot when the starter in running. I
>didn't have a second person to hit the starter, so I couldn't check that today.
>
>BUT the question is, what damage did I do by connecting the voltmeter to 86
>on adapter C with the control unit still connected? And I should add I may have
>checked it wit a test light as well as the voltmeter.
>
>I know I haven't listed my symptoms of "no start" here, but at this point I'm
>concerned with possible damage I may have just caused and we'll get into any
>other problem at another time.
>
>I hoping for the best.
>
>Best,
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy
>LA,CA
>
>
>