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ronburgundy78 Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2006 Posts: 241 Location: Fort Myers, FL
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: Bad ground strap? |
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Just got my new battery...FREE..I was 2 weeks away from my 2 year replacement..Lovin' it.
Got everything hooked up..Lights on, dummy lights working...BUT
Everytime I try to start it, it 'shorts' out...the lights go off on the dash..I go to the battery and touch the ground strap and the lights go back on..power back at coil.
the strap is like dust..I am guessing this is my problem. Just wanted to make sure before I run to the store. Also, will a universal ground strap work?
Thanks! _________________ "It is not far....It is within reach"-W. Whitman
1978 Champagne Transporter 2.0L FI (Ron Burgundy) |
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VDubTech Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002 Posts: 9142 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:58 am Post subject: |
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Just get a new negative battery cable and you should be good to go. |
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ronburgundy78 Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2006 Posts: 241 Location: Fort Myers, FL
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:55 am Post subject: |
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I was able to salvage my strap (cut it half) and had some good copper...got the bus started!!!!
BUT....
Timed it, set my dwell, rpms...Jumped in to take a spin..hit the gas...stalled..
Now I can't get it to start..Good power. Engine turning it just wont fire..
UGH... _________________ "It is not far....It is within reach"-W. Whitman
1978 Champagne Transporter 2.0L FI (Ron Burgundy) |
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VDubTech Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002 Posts: 9142 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:59 am Post subject: |
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Try and give it some gas while you're turning it over. |
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ronburgundy78 Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2006 Posts: 241 Location: Fort Myers, FL
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:00 am Post subject: |
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Tried that..No luck..I even put more fuel in the tank... _________________ "It is not far....It is within reach"-W. Whitman
1978 Champagne Transporter 2.0L FI (Ron Burgundy) |
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Keep in mind that the bus needs not only the battery ground strap but the chassis ground strap to be all nice, clean, and tight.
That chassis ground is on the front of the transaxle on the divers side and goes to the chassis. It is about 6" long and a woven wire. |
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ronburgundy78 Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2006 Posts: 241 Location: Fort Myers, FL
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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Got the ground problem taken care of...I think..
I am guessing my problem now is fuel (or lack thereof)...
I threw about a gallon and it ran great for a few minutes then puttered out and wouldn't start again.
My gauge only works at a full tank so I am assuming this is my problem..A trip to the gas station should prove this theory..( i hope).. _________________ "It is not far....It is within reach"-W. Whitman
1978 Champagne Transporter 2.0L FI (Ron Burgundy) |
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