Why did you get stranded?

[jyck]

Hey guys, just picked up an 85 Vanagon GL Westfalia Automatic WBX and looking to hit the road with the family this weekend. I just wanted to make sure I'm as prepared as can be for any mechanical failures. I've already swapped out all the fuel lines and performed basic new owner maintenance and checks.

My question is why did you get stranded? More specifically, what part failed (fuel pump, alternator, ECU...) and was there a quick fix that got you back on the road?

Please also state your vehicle info for reference. Thanks!!!

[singler3360]

Water pump one time, alternator two other times. Not stranded, but had a split in a spark plug wire that kept me from starting in front of the house. Wouldn't have seen the split it hadn't been for nighttime.

[ThankYouJerry]

Fuel pump. Carry a spare.
Starter. Carry a hammer.
Ran out of gas... .

Of course many other items could leave you stranded:
Wheel bearings
CV joints
Ignition Switch
Shifter switch (auto trans)
Alt
Battery
Coolant hose(s)
On, and on, and on, and on...
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[IdahoDoug]

Coolant level sensor - big plastic sensor in top of coolant pressure tank. They age, crack and blow the top of the sensor off. Used a marine rubber/brass cam type hull plug to jam in and drive home. The coolant systems are a common show stopper - always carry at least a gallon of fresh water. If you don't need it - drink it!
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[danfromsyr]

clean ALL engine grounds. in fact I add additional ground strap from starter mount bolt to the chassis..

temp-II sensor..

spare relay and know how to operate w/o a relay (fuel pump or fuel injectors)

if an automatic, we travel with a spare starter on board.. they're impossible to push start.
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[16CVs]

Ring and pinion in my Syncro once, Same car engine twice, free or cheap used engines will get you every time.
More lately my 2.2 Subaru chucked a rod ,other than that I broke the hot lead from alternator one time ,that stumped me for a while.
Other wise maintenance keeps them on the road fairly well.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Dave Wood]

[dhaavers]

BELTS.


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

[vanagonjr]

2,1 WBX
1) Vanagon Syndrome on X-Country trip. Found the factory replacement harness in Rapid City SD, no less.
2) Coolant Level sensor - JB welded it.
3) Coolant Level sensor again - it was the JB welded on I forgot to replace. Installed my new replacement that was in the van
4)Alternator Reg/Brushes 11 hours away from home. Luckily I had bought the adjustable one and had it in the van.
5) Rod through the block - Bamn! Still working on that.....

I recommend an oil pressure gage.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[clift_d]

Our input spigot shaft bearing and clutch disintegrated simultaneously (or one self destructed and finished off the other) and the debris from that took out the starter motor. It wasn't terminal, but it meant several days in the garage, mainly waiting for the parts to arrive.
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1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker syncro

[wecm31]

ignition key lock cylinder...until I pulled the steering column apart and used
a screwdriver to start.

Newbie tip...whenever you turn the key to start and it doesn't...you have
to bring the key all the way back to off before trying again. If you cycle
the key from ON to START without returning to OFF, you can bust it!!

Happened in the mother in laws garage in Calgary...could have been worse.
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Gerald P
1985 Vanagon (Betty) & 1985 BMW R80RT (Wilhelm)
vintage boxers!!

Gone are the days we stopped to decide
Where we should go, we just ride:)

[Ahwahnee]

I guess I don't think of it as 'a problem' or 'stranded' if I can fix it and continue on - that's just 'driving'. Nevertheless the suggestions above are prudent for preparations.

The one time I was truly stranded a head seal let go and there was nothing to be done but all a flatbed. Fortunately I was only 300 miles from home.

[kirkvw72]

My first road trip I blew the coolant hose on the passenger side head that connects to the coolant distributor. It hides under the AFM/Air filter box, and I never thought to check it out. I had replaced so many things in preparation, too. I was pretty irritated. I was able to cobble together a hose using pieces of the old hose, a new hose I found a nearby NAPA, some hose clamps, and a pocket knife (I now carry spares and tools).
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2015 VW GTi Autobahn
2000 Mercedes Benz E430
1992 Miata, automatic converted to a 5-speed
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
1987 Porsche 944 (951) Turbo
1987 Vanagon GL, Rocky Jennings Heads, RMW Exhaust, ASL 5-speed, AMG Wheels
1981 Porsche 924 (931) Turbo
1972 Beetle (standard)

[Zeitgeist 13]

I was tragically stranded half a block from home when my Hall sender died. My neighbors mocked me mercilessly as they pushed the van back into my driveway. I wept salty tears of rage and shame
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[0to60in6min]

in the last 25 years

- fuel pump, once (due to my ignorance)

- water pump, once (due to a mechanic ignorance)

- alternator, once (regular wear and tear)

[RCB]

A cylinder head temp sensor left me stranded once and a few months later a wonky ECU stranded me again. I now carry spares.

[newfisher]

Bought the van 2500 miles away ( was checked out at shop) , drove home and after it sat for 2 hrs a buddy came over to check it out. Took him for a test drive letting it warm up in first gear for several blocks through the neighborhood. Shifted into 2nd and applied some throttle....internal engine failure.
AAA, a cell phone, visa etc is what fixed it.
After reading threads here, I carry tools, fluids, ign and headlight switches. Throttle cable, belts, hoses, clamps and a spare oil filter.

[j_dirge]

Truly stranded where I could not get the vehicle home under its own power..

1. Throwout bearing seized. (and grenaded, it turned out)
2. ECU quit.

Regarding
1.
I could have and would have limped home with the throwout bearing problem if I was traveling alone.. but had my entire family with me.. and I am getting too old to play that game of "can't stop the car or the engine dies!" in freeway traffic..
2.
I carry a spare known working ECU, now.


I have also had CVs chose to act up on long road trips (twice).. Each time I was able to limp home after adding grease.. and/or repair with a spare axle set on the road.
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-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

[hwunger]

[madspaniard]

not stranded but bugged, power steering belt

agree with another poster, bring spare belts, could have been the alternator one in my case.
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali