Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 22:03:16 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: PS pump switch, engine compartment wiring harness, ECU, starter
In-Reply-To: <CA+az7_6CFJbcL1n3ow=adeO5L8UexPaRE335sUHyUio1tnK4_w@mail.gmail.com>
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This is kinda to bring everyone up to speed on recent problems on my '88
GL Vanagon.
A little while back driving down the road the starter suddenly engaged.
Stalled the engine. Clutched it, but could not turn off the starter. Fnally
did, and long story short, got it tow to HESCO, one of the best garages in
the area. They will work on anything. Even had a snowmachine mounted on
wheels in there.
Anyway, after checking, they found the engine bay harness was fried, as was
the ECU and the starter. It seemed the meltdown began with a PS switch wire.
What has been learned from knowlegable folks ln this list, is that:
1) The PS steering switch circuit is a hot, un-fused circuit. There is no
protection of this circuit on these vans.
2) The fix ( by way of David Beierl) is to install a 7.5 amp fuse in the
engine wiring box, in the red wire that goes from the B+ post inside the
box to the relay box. That will keep your harness from smoking.
3) A thru 2003 BRAND NEW FROM THE FACTORY starter for a TDI DIESEL, fitted
with an adapter plate, works perfect. This also works with a Subaru engine
conversion.
See following links:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-STARTER-FOR-VW-DIESEL-TDI-MANUAL-TRANS-HIGH-TORQUE-2Kw-ONE-YR-WARRANTY-/300475513229?hash=item45f5bc798d:g:p8EAAOxyJX1TFmlY&vxp=mtr
http://www.westyventures.com/parts.html
Necessary pigtail:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1673971
Kudos go to Peter Jones at Van Cafe for scaring me up an ECU with the
pigtail already installed formy SHOEBOX ECU MONITOR. Since my stroke I
don't have fin enough muslce control to do that fine soldering required.
Hand shakes just a little to much. But he got'ter done. He is also going to
put Davids fix on the Van Cafe web site next to the PS swich info.
And KUDOS to JAY BROWN for his advice on the starter pigtail and sending me
a new starter relay to replace the one that got fried in all this. I happen
to have his headlight relay set-up in both my vans, too.
There were many others who provided input on this, and I want to thank you
all too.
I seriously hope this helps someone else avoid the problems and expense
that I have had with this. Remember, fore warned is fore armed! Fuse that
wire and avoid all this some place on a dark and stormy night, between
Somewheresville and Nowheresville!
John
