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Jsstr8
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Elkview, WV
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 Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 12:55 pm Post subject: Vanagon Electrical Issues |
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| Trying to track down some electrical issues in my van. Had the battery checked out, it's OK. Going through the Bently manual; it says to disconnect the negative terminal, then touch the terminal and hook up with a test light. My lights. But light fades, and then won't turn back on unless you wait a few minutes before trying again. Any thoughts? |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50338
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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| What is your electric problem? Where are you hooking your test light? |
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Jsstr8
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Elkview, WV
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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The battery is draining. I cleaned the main ground (behind the alternator).
I am hooking the test light to the battery terminal and the ground wire (that normally hook to the - terminal).
The manual says what to do if the light works or doesn't work. But mine comes on briefly and then fades. It won't come back in unless you wait a few minutes to retest. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50338
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Jsstr8 wrote: |
The battery is draining. I cleaned the main ground (behind the alternator).
I am hooking the test light to the battery terminal and the ground wire (that normally hook to the - terminal).
The manual says what to do if the light works or doesn't work. But mine comes on briefly and then fades. It won't come back in unless you wait a few minutes to retest. |
You are not seeing anything abnormal at this point. When you first hook the test light up you are charging the capacitors in the stereo and once charged the draw drops significantly. Are all you fuses and such in place while you are doing this test?
What is your charging voltage, both at no load and with a full electrical load? At revs and at idle? |
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geo_tonz
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Joined: August 01, 2012
Posts: 1472
Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Jsstr8 wrote: |
The battery is draining. I cleaned the main ground (behind the alternator).
I am hooking the test light to the battery terminal and the ground wire (that normally hook to the - terminal).
The manual says what to do if the light works or doesn't work. But mine comes on briefly and then fades. It won't come back in unless you wait a few minutes to retest. |
Is your battery that dead that it has enough juice to briefly light the tester, then dies? It will revive a bit when you stop, then start again. If your battery is really that low then it might be pooched. They don't like being completely drained.
How fast was it originally draining the battery?
-Period of weeks? Maybe an over-zealous stereo (I think Pioneer has a higher drain than others to maintain it's presets).
-Within a day? More serious short or frigged battery that can't hold a charge with a slight stereo drain.
Get the battery tested so you at least know what you're working with. Something's definitely draining though with the test light lighting up. Once you know your battery's good start pulling fuses one at a time 'till the test light goes out. Then you know what system is the issue and you know what wires to be checking.
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 "Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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thatvwbusguy
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Joined: April 18, 2007
Posts: 1712
Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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Was the battery load tested, or just checked for resting voltage?
A test lamp is probably not the best way to check for parasitic draw. You would be much better off using a digital volt/ohm meter so you know what the actual draw is. Here is a video that will show you how to perform the test with a meter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0
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'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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Jsstr8
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Elkview, WV
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| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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A little delay in diagnosing the electrical problem. Had to time the pump and replace most if the fuel lines.
Van now runs, however it will not start without a spray of starter fluid. I will take a multimeter and check all the electrical in a few weeks. I'll check back in when I have more info. |
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devesvws
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Joined: January 05, 2004
Posts: 1540
Location: madison va
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winddude
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Joined: October 30, 2013
Posts: 160
Location: South Vancouver Island
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| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| hmmm... battery draining... battery not charging... something with the charging system, try pulling the alternator and having it tested. Then if that's good start tracing back the wiring harness. |
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Jsstr8
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Elkview, WV
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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Checked out the electrical system and everything is good (at least decent). I need to clean some of the grounds.
I was misdiagnosing a fuel issue for an electrical one. |
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I think it at the fluorescent light that keeps coming on by its self....