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Fri May 27, 2011 11:05 am

We are on our way to PA from VT and our 87 vanagon ( with a newly rebuilt engine) won't start!!!! She was going great and then we pulled of the I-87 at Kingston to get gas after filling up she won't start. She turns over Vitelli start. Any help would be great as we have our 2 children and dog with us.
Thanks Ivan 8)

Fri May 27, 2011 11:14 am

Check all electreical connections.
Make sure fuel pump is getting power.
My shop is 35 minutes away, but I am away for the Holiday weekend.

Fri May 27, 2011 11:14 am

Electrical connections good (battery and the starter)?

Have you tried tapping the starter with a small hammer?

How about a push start while in gear to move the starter a bit and then trying to start it?

You could wiggle under there and short it...

Fri May 27, 2011 11:35 am

So it's a new starter, new fuel pump, new coil, but when I turn her over I can't hear the fuel pump! Does anyone know of a shop within 100 miles?
Ivan 8)

Fri May 27, 2011 11:40 am

Check the 54 relays in the black box.
They control the fuel pump.
Have someone turn on the ignition and go to start, you should feel the relay engage.
If not wiring or relay are the issue.

I will be back to work in Hudson, NY on Tuesday.

pmail me at

[email protected]

and I will give you my phone number to try and help.

dylan

Fri May 27, 2011 11:52 am

First make sure to check the red wires to the alternator stud. If one is broken or if they are loose the starter will crank but no starting.

Do you have a volt meter? It is very likely just a bad wire or something else simple.

If all else fails get towed to an chain auto parts store with long hours or maybe even better a W*mart. Then we can help you track it down while the family has something to do or at least has a place to hang. Bathrooms, something to eat, security.......

Mark

irgsmoore4 wrote: So it's a new starter, new fuel pump, new coil, but when I turn her over I can't hear the fuel pump! Does anyone know of a shop within 100 miles?
Ivan 8)

Fri May 27, 2011 12:03 pm

If you need a shop, this one is about 60 miles from Kingston:

Terry LaCasse VW
902 Central Nassau Rd., Hoags Corners
East Nassau, New York 12062
Phone: 518.766.5654

Type Of Shop: Repair / Sales
Will Work On: VWs

Rt 66. - Troy off Rt 20 in Nassau. Left @ Hoags Corners Inn.

Fri May 27, 2011 12:05 pm

If it's turning over it's not a starter issue...

If you don't hear the fuel pump spin up for a couple seconds when you turn the key to the "on" position, that's a problem. I'd have someone turn the key (just to "on", no need to crank it) and another person under the van with a hand on the fuel pump. Even if it's seized, you should at least feel it clunk, buzz or otherwise try to move when the key is turned on.

You mentioned this happened right after getting gas? It's possible the gas you got was contaminated or the fill stirred up some particles/sludge from your tank that found their way into your fuel pump and locked it up. If it's seized, it may be possible to get it unstuck by running it in reverse (just switch the +/- connections and try turning the key a few times). Always run it with gas inside, never dry.

If you don't have any power at your fuel pump (no click, buzz, 12V signal, nothing), do as insyncro suggested and check all your connections: at the pump itstelf and in the black box at the back left of your engine bay.

Not sure if you have tools (a multimeter would be nice) or a Bentley at your disposal...........good luck!

Fri May 27, 2011 12:05 pm

Jamos wrote: If you need a shop, this one is about 60 miles from Kingston:

Terry LaCasse VW
902 Central Nassau Rd., Hoags Corners
East Nassau, New York 12062
Phone: 518.766.5654

Type Of Shop: Repair / Sales
Will Work On: VWs

Rt 66. - Troy off Rt 20 in Nassau. Left @ Hoags Corners Inn.

Terry sold that business a few years ago.
Andrew owns it now.
It have a new name, Flint....

Fri May 27, 2011 12:08 pm

Sounds like the engine turns (starter works)

As per comments made already, 1st places I'd check are electrical parts/wires related to engine install and new parts.

Coil connections?

Neil.

Fri May 27, 2011 12:31 pm

If it's turning over, have someone get under the van and start pounding the bottom of the fuel tank with their fist while someone else tries to start the van. I know this sounds ludicrous, but that is what the AAA driver did recently when my van would turn over but not start and it literally just started up like magic.

May help get you started up and give you the ability to drive to a shop. My problem ended up being a clogged fuel filter and a fuel pump that was in bad need of a rebuild. Best of luck in getting back on the road!

Fri May 27, 2011 12:34 pm

I am here today till 5 and Sat 8-3. Give a call and I'll do what I can to help.

edit to ad info.

518.766.5654
Flint European Automotive, LLC
906 Central Nassau Rd.
East Nassau, NY 12062

If you need to be towed here after hours thats ok.
local AAA towing company- J and M Auto Repair 518.766.2244

Fri May 27, 2011 2:31 pm

So I got under the van and my wife turned the key the fuel pump did nothing, it's a new fuel pump so it can't be broke already!Thanks for all the help , family are ok mother in law on way fromPA to pick up wife kids and dog , so I got time to fix this.
Ivan 8)

Fri May 27, 2011 2:39 pm

irgsmoore4 wrote: it's a new fuel pump so it can't be broke already!
If only.

Fri May 27, 2011 2:50 pm

When I say new I mean 5weeks old , surly they last longer than that!

Fri May 27, 2011 2:51 pm

I say new I mean 5weeks old , surly they last longer than that!

Fri May 27, 2011 2:56 pm

irgsmoore4 wrote: I say new I mean 5weeks old , surly they last longer than that!
Well, hopefully. But it wouldn't be the first time a new part died so soon. Put in a new starter in my last van, which stopped working within days. Recently I put in a new fuel pump in my GTI, and it's already whining. :(

Can you jumper the relay / pump to test?

Fri May 27, 2011 2:58 pm

It may be a relay or the ignition switch. I had this happen to me last summer. Ignition switch failed so no voltage to the relays and in turn no voltage to the fuel pump. It would turn over all day but not start. Try swapping a few of the relays (swap the positions of the existing relays) and see if that makes a difference. If not, it may be the ignition switch.

In the relay box, you can jumper 12v directly to the fuel pump to have it on all the time. This might get you going. The only risk is the fuel system is pressurized when the van is off but this is a risk I would take in your position.

I will see if I can find the terminals to jumper to permanently turn on fuel pump.

Fri May 27, 2011 3:00 pm

irgsmoore4 wrote: So I got under the van and my wife turned the key the fuel pump did nothing, it's a new fuel pump so it can't be broke already!

Got a spare ignition switch? Easy to pull plug from old switch, swap in new and test. Cheap part new. Should be easy to find.

That said....

The pump primes briefly when key turned to ign. on position.

@ list et al.

Is it possible fuel pump may not prime each time key turned to ign. on? (assuming engine not cranked or run)?

Neil.

Fri May 27, 2011 3:02 pm

How do I do the test to find out if it's the pump?