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Stephenmarklay Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2016 Posts: 526 Location: Spokane
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:34 pm Post subject: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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I only want to do some checking on lights and stereo and such. I know I can look in the bentley but I don’t want to mess this up.
I will disconnect the starter cable but what else do I need to do. I don’t want anything powered in the back, no fuel pump etc. The motor is not together. _________________ 1985 Westfalia. Project 2017. |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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I would recommend against. If you have open wiring harness connections back there, only someone pretty skilled in such matters could/should tell you that it would be OK. My concern would be twofold. One - a hot wire touching something. Two - several grounds being disconnected for the engine work might cause an issue.
Being wrong here could be expensive. I never power up a vehicle with partly disconnected wiring. And, I've never had wiring issues with a vehicle - coincidence? Heh...
Doug _________________ 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 |
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Stephenmarklay Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2016 Posts: 526 Location: Spokane
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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IdahoDoug wrote: |
I would recommend against. If you have open wiring harness connections back there, only someone pretty skilled in such matters could/should tell you that it would be OK. My concern would be twofold. One - a hot wire touching something. Two - several grounds being disconnected for the engine work might cause an issue.
Being wrong here could be expensive. I never power up a vehicle with partly disconnected wiring. And, I've never had wiring issues with a vehicle - coincidence? Heh...
Doug |
Thanks Doug. I will hold off. I appreciate your input. _________________ 1985 Westfalia. Project 2017. |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:15 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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Good call. Causing a wiring harness issue can be heartbreaking for a hobbyist. Dealing with burnt electrical components requires a specialist, plus some peripheral damage may only come to light years later when a partly damaged wire begins to fail intermittently. As you are realizing, it's just not worth a risk unless it is an emergency situation. _________________ 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 |
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Stephenmarklay Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2016 Posts: 526 Location: Spokane
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 5:11 am Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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I am a bit (a lot) concerned when I fire it up the first time as I am touching so many bits.
I may have to have you over for pizza and beer in the spring when I am ready! _________________ 1985 Westfalia. Project 2017. |
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davideric9 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1002 Location: Oakland CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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If I was in your situation I'd pull the relays in the engine and then pull all the fuses and then put in the fuse that powers the item I needed to check. Being afraid is not the same as being careful. _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012) |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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davideric9 wrote: |
If I was in your situation I'd pull the relays in the engine and then pull all the fuses and then put in the fuse that powers the item I needed to check. Being careful is not the same as being afraid. |
What about the dangling unfused heavy gauge starter connection if the starter is pulled or the wiring to the alt if the starter is still in place? What about the unfused black wire to the ignition coil - what is that touching? Etc... |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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connect to a 9 V battery
no amps to really hurt anything _________________ .... |
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Stephenmarklay Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2016 Posts: 526 Location: Spokane
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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Merian wrote: |
connect to a 9 V battery
no amps to really hurt anything |
Funny enough I have used this technique in the past. _________________ 1985 Westfalia. Project 2017. |
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Stephenmarklay Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2016 Posts: 526 Location: Spokane
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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I am taking Doug’s advice and just not going to push my luck. _________________ 1985 Westfalia. Project 2017. |
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davideric9 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1002 Location: Oakland CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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Andrew, all good points, which was the op's original question, in addition to not connecting the starter cable to the battery, what else should he watch out for. With thoughtful insight before proceeding this can be done safely, protecting any infused dangling wires, which you have now listed. Not proceeding is great, but proceeding with knowledge and care is also great. _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012) |
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Michael4104 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2014 Posts: 340 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 8:27 am Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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Why are you concerned about power to the rear? If you are concerned about the engine being turn over, pull the small wire off the starter and one of the wires off the fuel pump if that's a concern. _________________ 1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold |
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Stephenmarklay Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2016 Posts: 526 Location: Spokane
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT |
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Michael4104 wrote: |
Why are you concerned about power to the rear? If you are concerned about the engine being turn over, pull the small wire off the starter and one of the wires off the fuel pump if that's a concern. |
This was my intent. However I think everyone else pontes out that what else might be unhooked that i miss. Until one really get to that area I might as well wait. It won't really save me time. L _________________ 1985 Westfalia. Project 2017. |
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