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telford dorr Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009 Posts: 3547 Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Everybody screws up sometimes.
For a couple of days, I noticed that the GEN (alternator, actually) light was glowing slightly - you could see it in the dark of the garage. Other than that, all seemed normal. Now this was bothering me because I recently went through the entire electrical system, inspecting, cleaning and tightening. So there was no reason there should be any voltage drop from the rear of the bus to the front. As the light was just barely glowing, I assumed the alternator was OK and it was a connection somewhere.
So today I decided to look into the issue. Figured it was good time to check the battery water and terminals for tightness. So I pop open the rear hatch, and with trouble light in hand, peeked inside. First off, I noticed the battery hold down clamp was loose. Not so loose that the battery could relocate itself, but certainly not tight. So I grab a 13mm socket and ratchet, and tightened it down. That's when I saw the big bare wire sticking out by the air cleaner. That certainly was NOT RIGHT. Turns out it was the wire from the alternator B+ lug to the positive battery cable clamp. It had apparently pulled out of the butt splice on the aftermarket battery cable! I had used a proper ratcheting crimp tool to crimp it, but upon inspection, the butt splice terminal was a cheapie which didn't have a welded seam. Thus, it slowly relaxed, releasing its grip and allowed the wire to pull out. The fix was to cut that sucker off, solder the wires together and insulate with shrink tubing (two layers).
Lessons learned:
1) Don't use cheap electrical terminals - especially in high current situations! I normally don't recommend soldering wires in a high vibration environment like a bus, but for heavy (#8 AWG) wires, it's definitely secure and viable.
2) The battery wasn't charging, but the alternator was driving the small red B+ wire, thus regulating properly and driving the dash indicator with 13.8 volts. Because of the disconnected wire, the battery wasn't being charged, and was down to maybe 11.8 volts. This difference (2.0 volts) was enough to cause the indicator to glow slightly. Had I kept driving, the battery would have slowly died, and the dash indicator would have gotten progressively brighter. Lesson: even though everything else was OK, don't ignore barely glowing GEN lights - investigate. It will save you being stranded on the road. _________________ '71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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kruno Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2004 Posts: 136 Location: Croatia
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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_________________ '58 bug
'54 barndoor
'79 bay window
'05 renault modus a little gallic gay car
toXic rust |
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Colonel Mosby Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2014 Posts: 253 Location: Warrenton, VA
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2018 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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I have HEAT! Been working on fixing the heat system in a 1970 transporter off and on now for 4 years. Finally got it fixed! I had to restore the long heat tube, replace the heater cables, restore the accordion tubes, and then finally hook it all back up. One of the cables was frozen but a drill helped me spin the cable out and put a new one in. I still had all of those plastic bits and boots that make the cables work well. I restored the heater boxes. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to replace the asbestos on the metal collars on the accordion tubes. I used exhaust wrap instead of the asbestos on the collars. Seems to work well. Well I was out for cruise this morning. Cranked the heater levers down on the dash and low and behold there was heat. I mean good heat too. At the defroster and at the floor. Totally restored. The hardest part was tightening down the barrel nut on the cables. I have a busted arm that is partially frozen and I just could not get both arms up there to make it happen. Finally mastered after I removed the rear wheels to get both arms up in the right place for the tightening. |
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SamboSamba22 Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2015 Posts: 2772 Location: Benton, Arkansas
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2018 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Heat is good, he says.
Well done, I know I sure appreciate my heat. With the later bay layout, the additional blower motor, along with my efforts a few years back cleaning out all the ductwork, sealing the connections, and replacing the accurator cables, my heat can cook my feet, and be too hot to leave my hands above the defrost.
I also added sticky insulation tape along the center heat tube, before wrapping the tube with the original vinyl material, I mean it cooks. I should pop a thermometer on it.... _________________ The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.
Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL] |
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Zen Bus Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Made a portable control box so I can start and test my engine on my stand.
_________________ '79 w/ Sunroof & zBed @ 10:11pm 22 of June 2009 I drove my grandpa's old bus! Thanks to The Samba and all!! 2.0; single weber carb; 78 heads & exhaust, electronic fuel pump. |
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EricT Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Dexter, MI
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:38 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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pulled her engine and ordered a flywheel and seal |
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JimVeeW Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2017 Posts: 44 Location: Vanzay, France
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Bought him some new gauges
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bvolks Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2004 Posts: 845 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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After owning it for 24 years, I finally made the first cut into it. The inner and middle rockers like they're going to work ok. I have never seen so many patches on top of patches.
_________________ 1985 Diesel Jetta Coupe (temporarily retired at
756,000 km)
1971 Doublecab project
1995 Golf CL
1974 Beetle
1978 Westfalia |
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Spike0180 Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2015 Posts: 2269 Location: Detroit, Michigan
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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bvolks wrote: |
After owning it for 24 years, I finally made the first cut into it. The inner and middle rockers like they're going to work ok. I have never seen so many patches on top of patches.
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And it worked great for those 24years. _________________ Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp
Sambastic: adj; the quality of being nit picky, elitist, expecting everyone to do things the way they believe is best with no regard to situation, "sambastic" |
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notchboy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22416 Location: Escondido CA
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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bvolks wrote: |
After owning it for 24 years, I finally made the first cut into it. The inner and middle rockers like they're going to work ok. I have never seen so many patches on top of patches.
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_________________
t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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Davydomes Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2013 Posts: 110 Location: North West England (Savoury Pie Country)
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 4:48 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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JimVeeW wrote: |
Bought him some new gauges
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Wow - they look good! _________________ I only went to look at it!
"Mum, Dad ………. I'm Bay"
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Jean-Jaques Rousseau |
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bvolks Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2004 Posts: 845 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 6:13 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Spike0180 wrote: |
bvolks wrote: |
After owning it for 24 years, I finally made the first cut into it. The inner and middle rockers like they're going to work ok. I have never seen so many patches on top of patches.
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And it worked great for those 24years. |
It hasn't been on the road since 1982. I don't understand how they beat it up so badly in the 11 years it was on the road. _________________ 1985 Diesel Jetta Coupe (temporarily retired at
756,000 km)
1971 Doublecab project
1995 Golf CL
1974 Beetle
1978 Westfalia |
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pyrOman Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 12400 Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 9:45 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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“Lowered” the Plump Truck yet again!
That’s 1800 pounds of stainless steel to make two standing ovens!
_________________ Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
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Volswagon Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009 Posts: 299 Location: Knoxville, TN
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:22 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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I had enough fabric left over from the front seats to cover the driver's side kick panel.
Turned out pretty well, using 3M spray trim adhesive I bought years ago.
Had to modify the new Tbird header I bought 9 years ago to fit this 1.8L motor. It must have been for a longer stroke 2L.
Pertronix stopped carrying them 5 years ago. I haven't searched for another source. This motor has been a 5 month project.
_________________ I know the pieces fit, cos I watched them fall away.
Wanna hear God laugh? Just talk about your plans.
'75 Bus https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=697183&highlight= |
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Spike0180 Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2015 Posts: 2269 Location: Detroit, Michigan
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Tuned my engine after having out for maintenance. I had to fix some air intake leaks. I think I may still have a little on the drivers side, but its running and my commute is short. _________________ Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp
Sambastic: adj; the quality of being nit picky, elitist, expecting everyone to do things the way they believe is best with no regard to situation, "sambastic" |
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airschooled Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 12688 Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Had a double header…
My bus? Ball joint boots and kumbucha.
Xevin's bus? Just ball joint boots.
_________________ Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
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andrewtf Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2011 Posts: 602 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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I see you had the perfect crescent wrench for the job.
If only you had some gloves as well. Don't want to get those cuticles dirty... do we? _________________ '75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22568 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Lets keep riding him on those gloves - if someone knows his Mom's Ill amazon her a box of nitriles so she can rag on him too.
Love you Robbie... _________________ .ssS! |
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mike77777 Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 119 Location: portland or
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 2:08 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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The 77 "Fun Van" was taken on a 400 mile maiden voyage ,engine wise, she is hardly a virgin at 94,000 miles. 100 miles north on I5 from Portland. No problem holding 60mph. east on US12 , starting to climb some mountains, Refueled from the can of 110/92 goodness, let the gal cool a bit. Cleaned the windows. had a smoke, took a pic. Monique, my gps voice(British English) is a hoot to keep me company, turns me off US road onto a county road, Bypassing Yakima at an angle. about 40 mile of "Forest Service" unpaved, but maintained in the spring, some really smooth, some paved, then get to a Wa.Route 141, paved, then around30 miles later, slide down Broadway for some pump fuel and a cooldown/undercarriage looky looky. Closed Union 76, pumps would work with plastic. 10 bux got me back in the comfort one. Electric pumps work better with a more full than empty fuel tank. IMO Campsite about 15 miles east on all blacktop, 1/4 mile gravel off that to Camp. 1:30 AM Saturday last. Return south on US 97 10 miles to Biggs Oregon, Pilot Truckstop. Self serve Island, FYI. 95 or so more on I84, north on i205, then Wa.14 to my neighborhood. _________________ patience and putty |
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TheRealOld59 Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2018 Posts: 81 Location: South of France
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 9:16 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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I took him to gather some apple today
And i finally found an original westfalia middle seat mustard skai
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