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Mark Lewalski Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2010 Posts: 406 Location: Safety Harbor, FL (Tampa Bay)
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:14 am Post subject: Remote Starter for Vanagons? |
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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 _________________ '89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Remote Starter for Vanagons? |
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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. |
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tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10078 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:55 am Post subject: Re: Remote Starter for Vanagons? |
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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. _________________ 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. |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3581 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Remote Starter for Vanagons? |
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Mark Lewalski wrote: |
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 |
Try to buy one with a shield around the button.
The plastic shield prevents unwanted engagement of the switch if you drop the remote switch and the button was to hit something, engaging when you didn't want it to......
Well, apparently only Snap On got sued over them.... OTC version with no shield...
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-3650-Automotive-Accessories/dp/B002YKFA3G
Snap-ons' latest version is available in 3 colors[ wow ,I feel slighted with my non color choice version from the '80s... ]
MT302BR is their part number. I've never killed the one I bought in the late 80s, so if either the OTC or the Snap-On are as good, it should outlast you. _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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sagebus Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2004 Posts: 310 Location: Temescal Valley, Corona California
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Remote Starter for Vanagons? |
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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 _________________ 1984 Vanagon GL, Wolfsburg Westy 1.9 ltr |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Remote Starter for Vanagons? |
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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. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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