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Starting problems
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Mr. Electric Wizard
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Joined: August 07, 2003
Posts: 2846
Location: Smyrna, TN
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:11 pm    Post subject: Starting problems Reply with quote

Since I got no response in another thread I decided to start one here fresh.
Here's the deal.
1988 Vanagon Westfalia
2.1L Stock engine

Right now if I go out and try to start the Van it will not start with the key.
All lights work, etc.
The starter does not even try to turn over.
If I hook up jumper cables and jump it it will start up immediately.

I realize that the ignition stitches go out on these vans.
I also realize that grounds are a problem with these vans.

What's got me stumped is that it won't even try to turn over with the key but it will quickly start up with jumper cables.

Any ideas?
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"Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know."
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Freesurf
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Joined: June 24, 2007
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Location: Oregon Coast
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:29 pm    Post subject: Starting problems Reply with quote

I bet it our battery is toast. Your battery might show good voltage, but as soon as you put a load on it is dead. A have seen this happen before. You should try a different battery.

Freesurf
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82 Air-cooled F.I. 2.0 Westfalia Auto
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Mr. Electric Wizard
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's a new battery. Sad
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"Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know."
~ Cullen Hightower

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(H)eidenhammer (B)ully (B)oyz

--1966 De Luxe Camper
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RHMoore
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Joined: November 08, 2009
Posts: 52
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Assuming that you are placing the jumper cables on your battery terminal connections, a good bet is that the connections between your battery and cables are dirty. I've seen this on other vehicles, where the lights are fine, but not enough juice flows to start the car. Try cleaning the terminals and connectors yet again.

If you are jumping with a ground at a location away from the battery (to avoid sparks), try replacing your ground cable from the battery. You can test that by running one jumper cable from the negative terminal of your battery to whatever ground your were using while jumping and then try the key again.

Sometimes new batteries are bad or are not charged enough.

Best regards.
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