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widehatch
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2007
Posts: 775
Location: Memphis, TN aka The Armpit of the South
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 Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject: Bus wont start after long drives with key?? |
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Ok this one has me stumpted. I did not want to hijack the other starter thread so here goes. i drive me bus everyday and have no starting issues except on long trips. about 2-3 straight hours of driving my bus wont start with the key. i turn the key and it does nothing. i push the bus- pop the clutch and it starts right up and runs like a champ. i replaced the ignition switch back in september and replaced the starter with another used one in november. this only happens when i drive more than 2 hours. ive had other buses and have driven cross-country without any problems in the past. could my starter be getting to hot? any ideas?
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Emeritusx
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2008
Posts: 2775
Location: 12 inches behind the wheel
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Bus wont start after long drives with key?? |
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| mousegrey64 wrote: |
| Ok this one has me stumpted. I did not want to hijack the other starter thread so here goes. i drive me bus everyday and have no starting issues except on long trips. about 2-3 straight hours of driving my bus wont start with the key. i turn the key and it does nothing. i push the bus- pop the clutch and it starts right up and runs like a champ. i replaced the ignition switch back in september and replaced the starter with another used one in november. this only happens when i drive more than 2 hours. ive had other buses and have driven cross-country without any problems in the past. could my starter be getting to hot? any ideas? |
Tranny Ground strap...
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82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠ |
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mintonman
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2003
Posts: 4245
Location: between Trenton NJ. & Philly Pa.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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See how hot your coil is next time this happens.
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Hoockd on fonicks werkt for mee?
under the influance "DUH" |
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Emeritusx
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2008
Posts: 2775
Location: 12 inches behind the wheel
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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| mintonman wrote: |
| See how hot your coil is next time this happens. |
How would that affect the starter?
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82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠
Last edited by Emeritusx on Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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rodgersbadassbus64
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2009
Posts: 418
Location: Ortonville, Minnesota
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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I used to have to beat my starter with my lug wrench to start mine! I changed the starter and everything is better. I also changed my headlight switch at the same time I am told that it controls some voltage to the starter.  Good luck! Btw my wife won't push, you must be a lucky guy! |
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velvetgreen
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2004
Posts: 2746
Location: Canada
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Buckly
Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2004
Posts: 1030
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure the vw engineers know how to start a bus even when hot. Before spending a bit of money go and clean all the both of the major grounds. both ends, including in the bolt holes and the bolts. Then go and try all the other stuff.
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Cool runnins,
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amg3
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 98
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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i have this same problem. after some driving and the engine heats up nice (im in tucson, engine temp. at 200 or so) she wont start again. turn the key, lights come on, wont even crank. highly doubt its my starter/ solenoid, am more inclined to go with tranny ground strap. have not tried a replacement yet, should i just swap a new one in? curious as to how this creates the problem, forgive my ignorance. Oh, if I let it sit and cool a bit fires right up.
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slow36hp
scott wimberley
Joined: August 09, 2004
Posts: 3113
Location: mukilteo washington
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Aaron
Samba Luddite
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 1838
Location: WA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Run an extra wire from the unused + tab on the starter into the engine bay (tape the end). Keep the wire coiled away until the next time the bus won't start. Turn the ignition on and "jump" the starter. If it starts you know the starter is good and the issue is elsewhere, you'll also be up and running. |
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widehatch
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2007
Posts: 775
Location: Memphis, TN aka The Armpit of the South
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| Aaron wrote: |
| Run an extra wire from the unused + tab on the starter into the engine bay (tape the end). Keep the wire coiled away until the next time the bus won't start. Turn the ignition on and "jump" the starter. If it starts you know the starter is good and the issue is elsewhere, you'll also be up and running. |
ive actually thought about doing that very thing. i recall back in september when i drove it 800 miles i jumped the starter with a screwdriver and it fired up just fine. i havent tried that trick recently tho. bus is lowered so its kinda hard to crawl under.
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Emeritusx
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2008
Posts: 2775
Location: 12 inches behind the wheel
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:02 am Post subject: |
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You can test your ground straps with jumper cables... Ground the battery to the engine... Usually ground goes from battery to body from body to engine.. The tranny ground strap is just like a loose cable on your battery if its even only 1 ohm resistance that means max current is limited to 12 amps...
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82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠ |
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mintonman
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2003
Posts: 4245
Location: between Trenton NJ. & Philly Pa.
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Emeritusx wrote: |
| mintonman wrote: |
| See how hot your coil is next time this happens. |
How would that affect the starter? |
It's just a statement, my 79 bus use to do as mentioned and every time my coil was hot as hell. Maybe I should have added (LOL!) for you.
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Hoockd on fonicks werkt for mee?
under the influance "DUH" |
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Emeritusx
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2008
Posts: 2775
Location: 12 inches behind the wheel
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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| mintonman wrote: |
| Emeritusx wrote: |
| mintonman wrote: |
| See how hot your coil is next time this happens. |
How would that affect the starter? |
It's just a statement, my 79 bus use to do as mentioned and every time my coil was hot as hell. Maybe I should have added (LOL!) for you. |
Just didn't want the OP side tracking... Starter wont turn... Not car wont start... Your advice is good when car wont start when hot.. Got a coil in my garage that does that very thing..
Anyway... No biggie..
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