Date:         Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:20:41 -0400
Reply-To:     Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Need Help diagnosing a Non-starting '86 Vanagon
In-Reply-To:  <5604C0A5.9040706@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

If the van had alternator problems, i.e., the alternator died and the
van ran till the battery ran out of juice, it could have killed the
battery. Why not start at the beginning and see if the battery's good?

Marc

On Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at 11:33 PM, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
> None of the grounds up under the dash have anything to do with whether
> the van runs or not. There is a key-on power black wire that goes from
> the dash area back to the engine compartment and that wire plays a
> critical role.  On most vans the black wire goes to the ignition coil to
> power it and to turn on the ECU power relay as well as enable the fuel
> pump relay. So check for 12 volt power at the coil when key is on. Since
> it is an 86 the exact wiring path can vary. But since this may have
> started with work done on the alternator it would be wise to check for
> constant power on that stud in the engine wiring box.  When you get back
> to the van with a meter I'd be willing to help you check things out.
>
> There is a wiring tool you build to bypass a lot of the known failure
> areas that can keep a van from starting.
>
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=349429&highlight=wiring+bypass
>
> Mark
>
>
> Cary Chiang wrote:
>>
>> I'm trying to help a first-time vanagon owner get his van running.
>> It's an '86, with 2.1L and manual trans.  I was told that the van was
>> being
>> driven almost daily, had some sort of alternator problem, and then failed
>> to start one day.  A mechanic diagnosed that the spark plugs weren't
>> firing, but a lack of money prevented any further work.  I noticed that
>> the
>> ignition switch was functioning poorly, and temporarily swapped in a good
>> used one.  Next, I noticed that the fuel pump wasn't energizing when the
>> ignition key was turned to the accessory position.  I ran power directly
>> to
>> the fuel pump to get it running, but the engine still won't start (I'm
>> assuming because of no spark from the plugs).  I'm assuming that there
>> is an electrical issue that is affecting both the fuel pump and the
>> ignition system.
>> I've cleaned up the two
>> multi-pronged ground connections above the fuse block, and replaced the
>> ECU, but am running out of easy ideas.  I plan to go back with a
>> multi-meter, and check for voltage at the fuse block and at the terminal
>> in
>> the engine compartment black box.  Hopefully I will have access to a
>> Bentley also, but my schematic-reading and Vanagon diagnosing skills are
>> pretty rusty.  Any idieas and suggestions as to additional components,
>> grounds, or
>> voltages that I should check would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance!
>>
>