| Author |
Message |
cbot88
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2015
Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma
|
 Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 12:51 am Post subject: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
 |
|
i got a non-op 86 Vanagon GL 2.1 about six months ago. It looked like it was in really good condition so i bought it (700 USD, awesome)
i have done a bunch of regular engine maintenance since. it has started and ran a few times.
The Problem is it fires and runs as long as I'm cranking but as soon as i stop cranking and the key goes to the 'on' position it will die. i think it is some electrical issue. if anyone can help me i would greatly appreciate it.
i replaced
fuel lines(all fuel hoses)
fuel injectors
spark plugs
fuel pump/filter
ignition switch (old one stopped working)
air filter
fuel pump Relays (in the back)
ECU
gas tank
ignition coil (i think the old one was ok but) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cbot88
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2015
Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
thanks for your response. i just got my 86 vanagon back from the mechanic. he couldn't figure it out . luckily he didn't charge me much.
i will look into getting the old fuel injectors cleaned, they look pretty good and I'm sure they will be superior to the new ones i've got.
the fuel pump buzzes when the key is turned. the new pump, filter and fuel lines shouldn't be the problem. my dad suggested after thanksgiving dinner that the pickup coil in the distributer itself may be the problem.
the wiring bypass is a good idea, i will try that soon if i can
thanks for your help, the 86 is really iffy with the wiring or so i have read. i just can't wait to drive the thing! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hdenter
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 2753
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
The problem could also be the ignition switch. The ignition pathway in the start position can be good, but when the key is released to the ignition on position the switch loses contact.
Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cbot88
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2015
Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
I did replace the ignition switch because it broke and stopped turning over.
Could it still be a problem?
I think the problem is the pickup coil in the distributor. I have read about an 86 with a bad pickup coil making a noise and heard one when I picked it up at the mechanic's I cranked it up a couple times. I can't think of anything else it could be at this point accept the fuse box. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50337
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 2:08 am Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
| cbot88 wrote: |
I did replace the ignition switch because it broke and stopped turning over.
Could it still be a problem?
I think the problem is the pickup coil in the distributor. I have read about an 86 with a bad pickup coil making a noise and heard one when I picked it up at the mechanic's I cranked it up a couple times. I can't think of anything else it could be at this point accept the fuse box. |
Put a meter on the ignition switch and find out, you can actually put a meter on one of the fuses in the fuse box that is connected to the #15 circuit and see if it has power when the key is in the "ON" position.
You can also check for power at the ignition coil.
When you turn the key to "ON" position you should be able to hear the FI relay click. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cbot88
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2015
Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
I finally have my shop cleaned out enough to move in my 86 Vanagon and i have enough room in there to work on it.
The state of my Vanagon is the same after i replaced the hall sensor.
The fuel pump doesn't always buzz but when it does it will usually fire and run for about a second. Sometimes when the key is turned to the 'on' position the fuel pump will buzz until i turn the key to 'off'. This makes me think that the refurbished ECU I have is not in very good working order.
Also, sometimes when the key is turned to 'on' (not cranking) the engine will turn over and the tach will go all the way up and I will hear a loud buzzing sound.
I have made the bypass wire that djkeev suggested but it doesn't fire with the bypass tool at all.
I'm pretty sure that I have replaced all the major components now that I have a new hall sensor but I'll recap:
I replaced
all fuel hoses
fuel injectors (I still have the old ones)
spark plugs
fuel pump/filter
ignition switch (old one stopped working)
air filter
Relays (in the back)
ECU
battery
gas tank
ignition coil (I think the old one was ok but)
hall sensor
temp 2 sensor
I have my air flow meter unplugged because I don't have a new one and I read that you can just unplug it.
I think that my problem might be the wiring to the ignition switch. I might have a short somewhere because my battery won't stay charged.
Anyway this is the situation and I could really use some help. I've been pretty discouraged by the whole thing. If there are any TheSamba guys in NE Oklahoma I could use a hand with an ECU swap. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chase4food
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016
Posts: 636
Location: PNW im Amerika
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
Not clear if you ever able to drive it in any distance. Was the van stored for a long time before you bought it?
A less obvious, could you simply have very staled gasoline in the tank because it is in the tank for so long? Gasoline can lose (evaporate) most of the volatile component that sustaining combustion is difficult.
_________________
- Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cbot88
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2015
Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
It had been sitting for a few years when i bought it. (License plate is 2011)
Replacing the gas tank was the first thing i did. The old one was rusted through in a couple places.
I took it to a local mechanic and he said he drove it around the block once but I don't know if I believe him. It has run for about a minute on two different occasions with months in between. I'm going to check the wiring to the ignition switch but to call me an amateur would be really generous.
I forgot to mention before. I have a mystery wire (white) coming out of my harness right in front of my ignition coil on the left side of the compartment. It has 12 volts going through it when the key is at the 'on' position. I'll take a picture of it tomorrow. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gibbons Glass
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2012
Posts: 18
Location: San Diego
|
| Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 12:08 am Post subject: 84 Westy stars then dies |
|
|
| My van will turn over fine and then die immediately. When I turn the key the radio and wipers and dash lights will not work and then will for a second. They keep cutting out. I tried to jump the battery but that was not the prob. I thought it might be the s boot or vacuum tubes but the electrical problem makes me think that it might be the relay. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50337
|
| Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 4:20 am Post subject: Re: 84 Westy stars then dies |
|
|
| Gibbons Glass wrote: |
| My van will turn over fine and then die immediately. When I turn the key the radio and wipers and dash lights will not work and then will for a second. They keep cutting out. I tried to jump the battery but that was not the prob. I thought it might be the s boot or vacuum tubes but the electrical problem makes me think that it might be the relay. |
New ignition switches cost around $10-15 the last time I checked. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
manydubs
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2007
Posts: 155
Location: Kentucky
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:12 am Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
| cbot88 wrote: |
I forgot to mention before. I have a mystery wire (white) coming out of my harness right in front of my ignition coil on the left side of the compartment. It has 12 volts going through it when the key is at the 'on' position. I'll take a picture of it tomorrow. |
This sound like the wire that connects to the positive side of the coil to power the coil.
With it unplugged do you have 12V at the coil? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tilstad
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2010
Posts: 173
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 11:13 pm Post subject: Re: Bought an old Vanagon ~ starts, then dies |
|
|
| Loose battery clamp. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
