Official lazy person's stupid question thread

[bobbyblack]

[E1]

[bobbyblack]

Okay, tonight I finished building Marks diagnostics harness. Results are conclusive to someone other than me. Hopeful that moving this discussion to Marks topic will help me (and anyone following my stupid lazy saga) get something out of the next few steps.

Many thanks to all, and especially to Mark for the dedication and insight to this topic.

-bobby

Update: It was a flaky coil. Replaced.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[bobbyblack]

Next up;

I recently replaced my reversing bulbs. I was already not confidant the the operational status of the circuit, but now that it is dark out when I get home, and I back into my garage, I am finding that indeed, they sometimes come on while in reverse, and sometimes not. This is on my '87 with a manual trans that I have replaced the switch on in the past. The gear box does engage and I do back up every time, but the lights do not always come on.

Is this a shift lever adjustment issue, by chance? I did have to repair my shift lever and replace ears a while ago, and it took me a while to get the thing bolted back down in what I thought to be the right place, so I might have just missed by a tiny fraction of an inch (sorry, I use Imperial measurements when I speak...)

One symptom I've experienced has been that I see that the lights are working, but halfway to where I want to get, they go out. So I pull it out of gear, and back in to reverse, and they come back on, usually staying on.

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[4Gears4Tires]

Pretty easy to pull the plug out of the trans jump the wires to see if they always come on. Then you will know if it's a wiring or trans issue.
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[RicMcK]

have you checked all the grounds and bulb sockets, and connections, then cleaned and DeOxit everything?

I'm asking because I was chasing this same like issue for a while and found it was both a dirty ground and dirty connectors (both wires and bulbs).
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Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX "VINNY"
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - (first car) long gone.

[dhaavers]

Bobby, a fairly common issue involves the washer or “shim” installed with the reverse switch in the trans.

I recall that ^^^ being an issue when I swapped in a new trans rebuild back in 2017…I replaced the switch with new at the same time & found it to be intermittent. A different thickness washer under the new switch fixed it for me.

Sorry, I can’t find record of the spec I found somewhere here, but the fix basically involved a trip to the hardware store for a variety of washers of different thickness.

One worked.



- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[do.dah]

When I had rear light issues, several of the bulb sockets did not snugly hold the bulb. A little tweaking and bending of the tabs, a smear of anti-oxident grease,, and problem was no more.

[DanHoug]

[bobbyblack]

Thanks for the suggestions gang! I'll get on those!

Interesting that nobody thinks it was me slightly misaligning the shifter.

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[dhaavers]

[Camper_Velourium]

Latch on the old fridge is busted. Any replacement available or fixes?

[RicMcK]

Should I replace my oxygen sensor?

My O2 sensor seems to be fine, (produces 5.5vdc at idle). My multi meter seems to be averaging. I don't know how old it is, and I have a spair. Should I R&R it to be safe? As I hear they can be a PITA to remove. To remove it I'm planning on soaking and heating it up (the pipe not the sensor) a bunch of times.

Is it OK to use a 12pt box end wrench, or do I need a "real"6 pt O2 sensor socket?

Thanks
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Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX "VINNY"
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - (first car) long gone.

[E1]

If it works, don’t fix it.

Swapping parts by no means guarantees improvement. It’ll run terribly, run rich especially on the bottom, and gain rpm all by itself if the O2 is bad. It will be noticed.

Difficult to answer the wrench question, depends on what you have compared to others and we don’t know what you have.

I can’t get a hand wrench on mine for a heatshield being in the way so use the slotted deep socket. Whatever it takes to get it off will get it off.

Use the proper anti-seize designed for very high heat on any reattachment.
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If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?”

[RicMcK]

E1. Thanks exactly what I wanted to hear . I will leave it be, for now.
_________________
Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX "VINNY"
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - (first car) long gone.

[erikgundy98]

Might be a stupid question, but to clean the valvebody in a transmission, what do you clean if with?

I’ve read to use brake cleaner. I’ve read to not use brake cleaner. Not to use rags (lint), then to use compressed air to dry.

Sorry to ask stupid question, but first time in the tranny, and going slow.

I haven’t gotten into the valves yet, just observing the cavities where the balls are, and want to clean it before starting on the valves

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'90 Multivan Westfalia

[AndyBees]

[do.dah]

All good,, but I'm really partial to 'Joy'. Joy cleans and degreases way better than Dawn...

[fxr]

Kerosene then Simple Green for me.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[AndyBees]