TheSamba.com :: View topic - double relay by-passed

Wed May 25, 2005 8:35 am

I found out about the wire dangling from my double relay. I unwrapped all the 'lectricians tape, and found that the fuel pump has been by-passed with direct wire from the coil, thus explaining why my fuel pump runs all the time with the key "on", even with the engine off.

I tested the relay as per Bentley, and it checks out just fine. I am thinking of reconnecting the fuel pump to the relay when I replace my fried AFM. Can anyone think of any standard reasons why someone might bypass the fuel pump? Am I not seeing something? I am assuming it was done just because the engine was stalling all the time (not anymore). Some might say just leave it by-passed, but I am somewhat partial to original wiring if it works -- I've had a fire before from POs wiring "fix" and don't want to risk that with the kids, especially since this relay is supposed to cut the fuel pump if a gas line ruptures... 8-[

Wed May 25, 2005 8:45 am

Sometimes they do that when the little flap inside the AFM would get hung up and would not get the bus started.

Weren't you having some issues with that also?

You are right, that is just bad to do that.

Wed May 25, 2005 8:55 am

Yup, my AFM is double-wammied :2gunfire: :2gunfire: -- the flap rubs on the ceiling of the duct when I looked in there, but can't confirm if realtime airflow is enough to overcome any friction. I smeared a few drops of lithium grease on the ceiling there until I can replace it. The other deal is the resistance strip doesn't check out with the Bentley specs. That must explain why the pump was bypassed. I want to leave the pump bypassed until my AFM gets here to not risk frying the relay with a bad AFM.

Wed May 25, 2005 9:02 am

BTW, RAtwell's page on the double relay really helped me out a lot here -- the Bentley wiring diagram has terminal numbers that don't coincide with what's in my van (catch-all schematic that doesn't catch all), although the Bentley did test work for me.

Wed May 25, 2005 9:15 am

Yes Richard does a nice job on his website. He has helped me a lot over the years.

I printed that out (and a whole lot more) for my "Bus Binder" a 3 ring notebook with all sorts of information in it so that if the bus dies in Battle Mountain, NV at 3 AM I can still fix it (hopefully).

You have done well with this new bus you have. Good job!