Remote Starter for Vanagons?

[Mark Lewalski]

I often find myself working alone on the van and wanting to turn over the engine while I'm monitoring something in the back.

I'm wondering if there is an agreed upon remote starter that works well with Vanagons. I don't think I've ever seen one mentioned here on this forum and searching provided nothing useful.

Remote starters are probably universal but I don't know that...

Thanks,
Mark
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'89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing

[Ahwahnee]

Since it is just a push button involving fairly low current it is pretty easy to fit one.

I added one many years ago when I first encountered the 'hot start' issue as I found it would work the starter when heat soak prevented the usual (long) circuit from working. Once that was proven I added replaced it with relay to do the same thing. This was pre-internet but later found out the relay was a common fix.

A handy area (for me) was the forward right corner of the engine bay as that is a short run to both a power source and the starter connection.

I found it handy (on another car) to wire it so I could crank the engine w/o starting (by having the key off) as this was sometimes useful while working back there. Just place the button where you are unlikely to hit it by accident.

[tencentlife]

Remote starter buttons are sold everywhere and any one can be used on any conventional starter motor. The tricky part of V-gons, especially Syncros, is how hard it can be to get one clip onto the solenoid trigger connection. I add a short wire permanently to that connection, with an insulated connector on the free end, and tie it off in the engine bay, so my connection point is always handy.

Use the alternator B+ pole for the power source, it's direct from battery, unfused, always hot.
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Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/

Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is kryptonite to doctrine.

[jlrftype7]

[sagebus]

I got a Actron remote starter starter from local flaps. Somewhere around $12.00 pistol grip, works well for me as i mostly work alone
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1984 Vanagon GL, Wolfsburg Westy 1.9 ltr

[Vanagon Nut]

IIRC, some older VW's (Mk1 - Mk3 ? Maybe even some Audi's ?) use the same starter solenoid connector as the Vanagon. I installed that connector on the remote start switch I made.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN