VANAGON- intermittent starting issues- have spent alot $

[jptech]

Hi Friend,

Your symptom discribes exaxtly what the neutral safety switch (NSS) is supoused to do - at the proper time. Put the gear selector in D or R and turn the key to start. Does that look/sound like our symptom ?

The NSS is intended to interrupt the KL 50 starting circuit to prevent starting in gear. If the NSS is misadjusted or just plain faulty, it may attempt to do the job in neutral or park, which is right where we are with the symptom. Check KL 50 from the ignition switch to the single connection on the starter solenoid using the "voltage drop" method. If KL 50 is clean, it can only br thr NSS.

Also if your shop can't figure this out on the second try ,,,,,you need to find another reparir shop.

John

[IdahoDoug]

The good minds here recommend carrying a spare ignition switch because they go bad so often. In researching this item a year ago I also came across more than a couple incidents where the newly replaced ignition switch was not working 100%. Supplier quality. It was rec'd to get the German one from Van Cafe or similar Vanagon vendor. It's a simple thing to replace. My old one worked fine, but I replaced it as preventative.

DougM
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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, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[DC66]

x1000 on checking the grounds. I was towed last night for what ended up being a bad negative battery cable. Now my starter sounds a bit more efficient than it did prior to the new cable.
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1990 Vanagon Carat
1989 Westfalia GL

[Phishman068]

I like to add a thick grounding strap straight from the starter (I usually put it around the lower stud) to the frame (Find a bolt or add one).
You can't over-ground the engine/trans.....
But you sure can under-ground it.
Generally either the trans to body strap or engine to body strap is in bad shape, and every little bit helps. Since the starter draws the most amps, it just makes sense to give it the shortest path possible.

I've fixed many a poor running or poor starting vanagon this way.

[boat_builder]

Another vote here for replacing your ground cables and the cable going from the battery to the starter. If they have never been done, they will not be at their best after 26 years.

[16CVs]

If the dash lights come on and the fuel pump buzzes , I would look towards bad grounds or bad connections on starter as stated earlier . If you are handy ,I would run a wire from the starter solenoid to a power source like the back of the alternator or somewhere easy to access . When it will not start again ,turn the key on ,be sure you have dash lights and and the fuel pump buzzes and the vehicle is in park with the brake set and touch your wire to power ,if it starts you know your starter and relays are good and you have a supply issue to the solenoid which your hot start may fix ,but more than likely cleaning those connections and verifying clean grounds are more of the issue
The good thing about installing this wire is that you will be able get going while you figure out the problem .
Good luck if you are not mechanical have someone who is do this for you and explain how to use it when you need to.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
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Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
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[zetecvw]

Thank you everyone for your help.
I am going to order one of these-
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1286568&parttype=4584

I'll bring in notes from some of the replies in this thread to the shop.
I'll give it one more shot on this issue.

[Wildthings]

Have you replaced your fuel injection and fuel pump relays? They can fail in an intermittent manner.

Assuming the fuel pump runs momentarily when you turn the switch to the run position, why don't you temporarily install a starter switch in you engine compartment.

[Jake de Villiers]

[Ahwahnee]

This: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1066289

[vw54john]

I think the answer may lie with what I think Colins84 was trying to suggest - the ADDITION of a hard start relay. I haven't had enough experience with Vanagons (yet), but damn I've had enough buses and beetles with this issue. It's a long haul from the ignition switch on a bus or beetle back to the starter compared to most vehicles with the engine in the front. Over time resistance builds in the wiring and the full voltage needed to kick the starter over just doesn't get there. One solution back in the day was to install a starter (doorbell type) button for the sole purpose of operating the starter. But the far better solution is to install a hard start relay, which will boost/ensure that the starter receives the necessary voltage. They're available from most of the usual VW parts vendors out there.
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Regards, John
'54 Strato Silver Oval

[a1fa]

guys, he said the engine is not spinning. he turns the key on, and nothing happens. most definitively check the grounds.
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[peasant]

If the fuel pump doesn't come on and it won't crank - it's the ignition switch. Try shooting contact cleaner on all the terminals of your ignition switch. I had intermittent problems like that on another car with the switch. Re-seat the connector after you put the contact cleaner.

edit: relative made this post while they were searching for answers to my no starting problem, I have no idea if this is related to your issues or not
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89 wolfsberg weekender carat
89 Westfalia

[camerahunter]

I actually had this problem with my 85 once. It turned out to be a bad idle stabilizer which is actually not on your 87. I would bypass the neutral safety switch for a while and see if it still happens. Does the 87 have a hall sender? Can't remember. If it does you may want to check those connections.

Cheers,

David
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1984 - Daily driver

[joel72]

i would check and clean every single electrical conection in your van and replace any wiring that looks old ive had simalar problem took forever to finally realize that when i pulled some of the rubber covering off of my ground wire to the battery it was horribly corroded inside replaced the wire started right up

[indytriple]

You can easily bypass the neutral safety switch by connecting the two red wires together at the switch. Ben (ftp2leta) has suggested doing this in another thread as something that should be done to avoid trouble anyway in auto transmission vans. Just keep in mind that the neutral safety switch is a safety feature, and you're disabling it. Good luck. I'd start there.
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"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com

[zetecvw]

I do not believe the fuel pump turns on.
Double relay? Is this suggesting installing another relay somewhere?
The starter has been replaced

Keep it coming. I'd sure like to nail this. I don't want to sell my van !

[colins84]

Also could be a hot start relay installed next to the starter motor.
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1985 Vanagon Westfalia (Subaru EJ25 w/ Peloquin)
1986 Vanagon GL (2.2L)

[a1fa]

..also check voltage to the starter.. i've hard that starter can get jam the motor when it gets hot...but you've had cold and hot issues..
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[a1fa]

Double relay?
Ignition switch?

Have you tried bypassing the switch?
_________________
Learn to ride. Ride to learn.