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wecm31
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2012
Posts: 372
Location: Eganville, Ontario
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 Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:00 am Post subject: Good Ground Maintenance |
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As it is winter here in the Great White North, my Westy is tucked away in the garage for a few more months.
Perfect time for a few upgrades and preventative maintenance.
Having reviewed many a thread on what can go wrong with my van, I thought it prudent to clean up ground connections,
as that seems to be a root cause of many a malady.
So here's the question....where are all the grounds?
I got the two bolts over cylinders 2 & 4, left side of the engine. Plus the ground strap connection to the body under the FP relays.
Other than the ground strap from the trans, I have no more in sight. Others to address??
....and those woven ground straps. Ends are shiney new, but the weave is far from copper coloured. As long as its mechanically sound is it still conductive?
Or should I consider upgrading/replacing?
_________________
Gerald P
1985 Vanagon (Betty) & 1985 BMW R80RT (Wilhelm)
vintage boxers!!
Gone are the days we stopped to decide
Where we should go, we just ride:) |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17127
Location: Brookeville, MD
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garryv84
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2010
Posts: 276
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:13 am Post subject: |
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| I changed both my original straps to battery cables from autozone. Clean and re-solder eyelet grounds on the cylinder head connection. Clean battery ground under passenger seat. Clean all grounds on the two rose bud grounding bars under the dash next to the fuse blocks. |
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wecm31
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2012
Posts: 372
Location: Eganville, Ontario
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:07 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the input...and I promise to use the search more often 
_________________
Gerald P
1985 Vanagon (Betty) & 1985 BMW R80RT (Wilhelm)
vintage boxers!!
Gone are the days we stopped to decide
Where we should go, we just ride:) |
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yycwesty
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012
Posts: 403
Location: Calgary
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:22 am Post subject: |
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I too have a 1985 westy but I noticed that the links all relate to at least an 86 and newer..Are all WBX westies the same regarding grounds or can someone point me in the direction of the grounds for a 85
Cheers
Al |
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garryv84
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2010
Posts: 276
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| My quote above is for an 84. |
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Vango Conversions
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2010
Posts: 1054
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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If your engine ground is questionable, and if it's original I'd say it is, just add another ground. Directly from the starter to the body is a good spot, just make sure to remove all the paint where the cable/strap contacts the body.
Also, the battery cable is cheap and easily obtained at any parts store, get a heavy gauge one.
If you're going over your grounds, don't forget the ones behind the fuse box. |
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