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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10367 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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angrychicken wrote: |
Ok this is odd.
I have a cluster from another vanagon with a tachometer in my van.
This evening, I noticed there was a loose pin/brown wire from slot #3 in the tachometer harness. I slipped it back in I'm getting accurate readings with RPMs. Still no gauge cluster light though. But now the temp sensor light is blinking with normal coolant temps. I pulled the sensor from the overflow tank and cleaned it for good measure without changes.
Thoughts on if this could be a contributor to the problems I was having?
I also had a spare light switch that I tried that didn't reveal any changes. |
Do you mean you just recently swapped in a cluster from another Vanagon for testing purposes or that your current cluster is from a different model year Vanagon?
On the WBX, the coolant low sensor, relay, etc. are separate from the engine management (Digijet, Digifant); aside from unusual wiring faults or an engine running too hot, when a component in the coolant low warning system is at fault, that fault shouldn't affect how the engine runs. That said, I don't know if part of the Subaru engine swap involves connecting the Vanagon coolant low warning system to the Subaru engine management. (e.g. coolant is low, there's risk of an engine overheat, the engine management shuts down engine ?? I really doubt it though)
If the current cluster was adapted from another model year Vanagon, it's possible that the wires at the T14 connector to cluster, haven't been adapted to the cluster and/or more contacts in the T14 connector aren't installed correctly, have gotten deformed or pushed back so they don't connect to the blue ribbon copper trace(s).
This link showing retrofit of a tach equipped cluster may help:
http://www.oldvolkshome.com/late_van_cluster_install.pdf
In Bentley, for the '84, I see a grey/blue wire at 14/3 of T14 connector as positive to the dash illumination lights. If you look in the PDF I linked, (and based upon what you observed) depending on what cluster was retrofitted, 14/3 appears to get switched from providing positive for lights to providing ground for the cluster. A ground is required to make all the items in the cluster work. It's possibly all the bulbs are poorly seated at the blue ribbon and/or one or more of the bulbs is burned out but it sure sounds like some testing needs to be done.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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jackbombay Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Eastern Idaho
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:24 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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MarkWard wrote: |
It did not solve the hard start hot problem. Turns out that is related to the stock vw tune. |
It sounds like you have a 99.5 ALH? If you search "Hamman mod" you can fix it with a resistor and a button pretty easily. _________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17109 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Yes, I know about the hamman mod. It was in searching for the hot start problem after eliminating everything else, that I came across the hamman mod and learned the problem is related to the factory programming.
I have since added a real battery switch that combines both batteries cranking and running. The extra amperage has resolved the hot start problem, but thank you. _________________ ☮️ |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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The gauge cluster is from a later model.
The guys at VW Baja Red and I went through it after obtaining the current pin diagram (modded to make it work).
Gauge is functional now. We also cleaned the throttle body and a few other sensors. Seemed to idle better after. Drove it around the outskirts of La Paz without any hiccups. I was at the shop from 8ish AM until about 3 PM. They only charged me 500 pesos, rad guys.
Hit the ferry to mainland Mexico. Drove it for about 6 hours and it started bogging out again, not as bad this time though. I let it set overnight and did not reset the ECU to see if it was an overheating issue. But in the morning, it still idled like shit. So I reset the ECU and hit the road again.
I have a elm327 OBD reader, that works great when it doesn't have connectivity issues, I was hoping that it would help catch something. Funny thing today, will coasting down a hill, I lost fuel pressure. Pulled over, and AFTER the fuel filter, the fuel line had came loose. Easy fix and reconnection.
Afterwards I got these codes, PO463: fuel level sensor “A” Circuit High, PO447: Evalporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit Open
Those codes would come and go during the day (about 8-9 hours driving today) without clearing.
Think they are related to my issues? |
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tim_ha Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2012 Posts: 192 Location: Estes Park, CO
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Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:03 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Do you know if your conversion has the Smallcar code elimination board? It is a little electronics board that fakes a few signals to the ECU such as the Fuel Level Sensor. I suspect that the PO463: fuel level sensor “A” Circuit High code is not something to worry about.
It is worth checking over your evaporative emission system. On the stock subaru, after some engine running conditions are met, like temp is up and RPM is in a certain range, the ECU opens a solenoid that causes the engine to draw vapors from the charcoal canister into the intake. I don't know how the Smallcar kit has this system hooked up, but I have experienced intermittent running issues before I got my system plumbed up correctly. _________________ 1986 Syncro Sunroof EJ22
www.subagonsouth.com |
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Energy Concepts Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007 Posts: 352 Location: Yacolt, WA
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Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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angrychicken wrote: |
So I have a 84 auto Westy powered by a 2000 EJ25, small car swap kit. I’m en route to a remote access clinic in Guatemala.
Long story short, my van started to die while driving in Mexico. I’m in Mulege now, supposed to be in La Paz by Monday.
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I was having the same problem in my
2007 2.5 in a 91 Carat w/ Auto.
The warmer the Engine got,
The slower it would crank.
Subaru Engine's seem to like a very fast crank
for that "stock" instantaneous start.
I was running the Vanagon 2.1 starter.
Simple fix was the Diesel Starter motor with Adapter.
Like night & day for me!
Starts first time every time !!
best,
John C... |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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tim_ha wrote: |
I suspect that the PO463: fuel level sensor “A” Circuit High code is not something to worry about.
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Talked to the shop about both the codes I got. They said not to worry about them.
Swapped out the fuel filter this morning. Poured about at least 10 cc of sludge.
I don't think that was the source of all the problems. But could def have been a contributor and it needed to be replaced.
I'll def have to look into that starter swap. I also want parts that are easy to find/replace. I did get a slow crank today after about 2 hours of driving again.
Made it to Veracruz today without any problems!
Thanks for all the help/suggestions so far guys! I really do appreciate it all. |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17109 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 3:53 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Crud in the filter = crud in the tank. When you have time, a member dissected a fuel tank and posted pictures. There is plumbing in side the tank that makes it next to impossible to fully clean. Dirt and water can also enter the tank through the expansion tanks in both front fender wells if they are no longer sealed. Fuel injection must have a clean ample supply of fuel. Sounds like
you are making progress. _________________ ☮️ |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16501 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:26 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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MarkWard wrote: |
Crud in the filter = crud in the tank. When you have time, a member dissected a fuel tank and posted pictures. There is plumbing in side the tank that makes it next to impossible to fully clean. Dirt and water can also enter the tank through the expansion tanks in both front fender wells if they are no longer sealed. Fuel injection must have a clean ample supply of fuel. Sounds like
you are making progress. |
OP, This is a little known but common problem.
Those plastic tanks in the front wheel wells have a grommet on the top that gets old and fails to seal. When driving in the rain they are splashed with water and debris and that mess gets into the plastic tank and drains into the gas tank.
They tanks are held on by a single nut and are easy to remove although they are often grunged stuck to the the back of the wheel well so they take some coaxing to get off the first time. YMMV. _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:09 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Thanks guys, I will have to tear into that later and see what's up.
That's very beneficial to know. |
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Microbusdeluxe Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2003 Posts: 980 Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:21 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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When you get around to removing those overflow vent tanks be sure to CUT off the little hose that attaches to the top nipple. DO NOT try to pull or pry it off. You will break the plastic nipple and then be up the creek. _________________ '69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig! |
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6527 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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dobryan wrote: |
MarkWard wrote: |
Crud in the filter = crud in the tank. When you have time, a member dissected a fuel tank and posted pictures. There is plumbing in side the tank that makes it next to impossible to fully clean. Dirt and water can also enter the tank through the expansion tanks in both front fender wells if they are no longer sealed. Fuel injection must have a clean ample supply of fuel. Sounds like
you are making progress. |
OP, This is a little known but common problem.
Those plastic tanks in the front wheel wells have a grommet on the top that gets old and fails to seal. When driving in the rain they are splashed with water and debris and that mess gets into the plastic tank and drains into the gas tank.
They tanks are held on by a single nut and are easy to remove although they are often grunged stuck to the the back of the wheel well so they take some coaxing to get off the first time. YMMV. |
Yep, this happened to us and it ran poorly for way too long... five mechanics were at a loss... water destroyed the injectors.
Can't hurt to cycle through some fuel dryer... _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Thanks man. I've been looking for seafoam down here but haven't found any yet. |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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angrychicken wrote: |
Thanks man. I've been looking for seafoam down here but haven't found any yet. |
Methyl hydrate works just fine and should be available at the hardware/paint store. _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Thanks for all the help/input here guys. I can't overstate how appreciative I am for all this.
My plan was to make my way to San Cristobal today/tomorrow where I would visit a friend before hopping the border.
I hoping to find some seafoam there as well as a new fuel pump. I didn't know if the fuel pump was bad or not. But at it's age, I thing changing it out for preventive maintenance would be a good idea anyhow. (this was after 2-3 days of strong running)
But while enroute today I suffered a break down that required a tow to Santiago, Veracruz. Parked outside of a nice mechanic's shop. Not sure how comprehensive their capabilities are here though.
The van wouldn't accelerate and go past 20-30mph and than died while trying to go up hill. The fuel pump is getting power. I pulled it to try to clean it, some gravel like contents came out. After I reinstalled it, the van would crank but not fire up.
Fires right up when you throw fuel in the throttle body.
So it's not getting fuel. Not sure if the injectors are clogged or if the fuel pump went to shit. The lines were replaced before I left the USA as the old ones were, well, old.
There is an autozone here, they can get a pump, but won't have it until Wednesday. There is a bit of a storm right now, after it settles down, I was thinking of pulling a fuel line at the engine bay to see if I'm getting pressure.
Also concerned that I'm missing something with the prior "ECU reset" temp fixes.
Thoughts on this? |
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Yellow Rabbit Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2005 Posts: 1146
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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I'd start with a new fuel filter before doing anything else. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10367 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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angry chicken wrote: |
I hoping to find some seafoam there as well as a new fuel pump. I didn't know if the fuel pump was bad or not. .......
The fuel pump is getting power. I pulled it to try to clean it, some gravel like contents came out. After I reinstalled it, the van would crank but not fire up.
Fires right up when you throw fuel in the throttle body.
So it's not getting fuel. Not sure if the injectors are clogged or if the fuel pump went to shit. The lines were replaced before I left the USA as the old ones were, well, old.
There is an autozone here, they can get a pump, but won't have it until Wednesday. There is a bit of a storm right now, after it settles down, I was thinking of pulling a fuel line at the engine bay to see if I'm getting pressure.
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There should be a small metal screen about 1" in at fuel pump inlet. Hopefully, the debris didn't damage that screen and allow debris to get into the pump. I'm assuming you got the polarity correct at fuel pump connections. Positive and negative are labelled on the pump plastic near each connection. Since you had debris in the pump, you likely have debris in the fuel tank. If the fuel pump has failed, and you need one sooner than Wed. search here for info on a substitute pump. I think the one I'm recalling is for a Ford. Who knows. Maybe AutoZone stocks that one.
fuel pump inlet screen. Pump was from an '85
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:44 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Yellow Rabbit wrote: |
I'd start with a new fuel filter before doing anything else. |
Did that a few days ago. But I'm planning on picking up 1-2 more for the trip. Might install one before the pump.
Thoughts on that idea? Will that restrict flow?
Vanagon Nut wrote: |
There should be a small metal screen about 1" in at fuel pump inlet. Hopefully, the debris didn't damage that screen and allow debris to get into the pump. I'm assuming you got the polarity correct at fuel pump connections. Positive and negative are labelled on the pump plastic near each connection. Since you had debris in the pump, you likely have debris in the fuel tank. If the fuel pump has failed, and you need one sooner than Wed. search here for info on a substitute pump. I think the one I'm recalling is for a Ford. Who knows. Maybe AutoZone stocks that one.
fuel pump inlet screen. Pump was from an '85
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That is really good info, thanks man. I'll look into that.
After searching samba, it looks like the 87 Ford F150 with V6 might work.
Also, just a side not for people afraid of traveling. Of course it's nice to have a functional/reliable vehicle. But I would encourage anyone to travel with some safety know how. Don't underestimate the goodness of people either. Know the cultural norms and just like the the USA avoid hazardous places/times.
Other than parts availability, I'd rather break down in latin america than the USA. Here I am in a small town and have been taken in my a nice family. I am provided with shelter and food. I think generosity of people is the true culture of Latin America and is something that is more rare stateside. |
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angrychicken Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2013 Posts: 166
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Help: Broke down in Mulege Mexico, en route to Guatemala |
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Found some poor connections 2 spark plug wires that we tightened up until I was able to source new wires.
That was over 1 week ago. Made to Guatemala and all has been well thus far. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16501 Location: Brookeville, MD
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