Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
I want to put a battery in the van BUT
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Stephenmarklay
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2016
Posts: 526
Location: Spokane
Stephenmarklay is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:34 pm    Post subject: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

I only want to do some checking on lights and stereo and such. I know I can look in the bentley but I don’t want to mess this up.

I will disconnect the starter cable but what else do I need to do. I don’t want anything powered in the back, no fuel pump etc. The motor is not together.
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:38 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

I would recommend against. If you have open wiring harness connections back there, only someone pretty skilled in such matters could/should tell you that it would be OK. My concern would be twofold. One - a hot wire touching something. Two - several grounds being disconnected for the engine work might cause an issue.

Being wrong here could be expensive. I never power up a vehicle with partly disconnected wiring. And, I've never had wiring issues with a vehicle - coincidence? Heh...

Doug
_________________
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, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Stephenmarklay
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2016
Posts: 526
Location: Spokane
Stephenmarklay is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:39 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

IdahoDoug wrote:
I would recommend against. If you have open wiring harness connections back there, only someone pretty skilled in such matters could/should tell you that it would be OK. My concern would be twofold. One - a hot wire touching something. Two - several grounds being disconnected for the engine work might cause an issue.

Being wrong here could be expensive. I never power up a vehicle with partly disconnected wiring. And, I've never had wiring issues with a vehicle - coincidence? Heh...

Doug


Thanks Doug. I will hold off. I appreciate your input.
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:15 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

Good call. Causing a wiring harness issue can be heartbreaking for a hobbyist. Dealing with burnt electrical components requires a specialist, plus some peripheral damage may only come to light years later when a partly damaged wire begins to fail intermittently. As you are realizing, it's just not worth a risk unless it is an emergency situation.
_________________
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, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Stephenmarklay
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2016
Posts: 526
Location: Spokane
Stephenmarklay is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 5:11 am    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

I am a bit (a lot) concerned when I fire it up the first time as I am touching so many bits.

I may have to have you over for pizza and beer in the spring when I am ready!
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
davideric9
Samba Member


Joined: January 21, 2009
Posts: 998
Location: Oakland CA
davideric9 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:01 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

If I was in your situation I'd pull the relays in the engine and then pull all the fuses and then put in the fuse that powers the item I needed to check. Being afraid is not the same as being careful.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
?Waldo?
Samba Member


Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
?Waldo? is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:05 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

davideric9 wrote:
If I was in your situation I'd pull the relays in the engine and then pull all the fuses and then put in the fuse that powers the item I needed to check. Being careful is not the same as being afraid.


What about the dangling unfused heavy gauge starter connection if the starter is pulled or the wiring to the alt if the starter is still in place? What about the unfused black wire to the ignition coil - what is that touching? Etc...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Merian
Samba Member


Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
Merian is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 3:08 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

connect to a 9 V battery

no amps to really hurt anything
_________________
....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Stephenmarklay
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2016
Posts: 526
Location: Spokane
Stephenmarklay is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:01 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

Merian wrote:
connect to a 9 V battery

no amps to really hurt anything


Funny enough I have used this technique in the past.
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Stephenmarklay
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2016
Posts: 526
Location: Spokane
Stephenmarklay is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:02 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

I am taking Doug’s advice and just not going to push my luck.
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
davideric9
Samba Member


Joined: January 21, 2009
Posts: 998
Location: Oakland CA
davideric9 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:45 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

Andrew, all good points, which was the op's original question, in addition to not connecting the starter cable to the battery, what else should he watch out for. With thoughtful insight before proceeding this can be done safely, protecting any infused dangling wires, which you have now listed. Not proceeding is great, but proceeding with knowledge and care is also great.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Michael4104
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2014
Posts: 340
Location: Livermore, Ca
Michael4104 is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 8:27 am    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

Why are you concerned about power to the rear? If you are concerned about the engine being turn over, pull the small wire off the starter and one of the wires off the fuel pump if that's a concern.
_________________
1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Stephenmarklay
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2016
Posts: 526
Location: Spokane
Stephenmarklay is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 1:13 pm    Post subject: Re: I want to put a battery in the van BUT Reply with quote

Michael4104 wrote:
Why are you concerned about power to the rear? If you are concerned about the engine being turn over, pull the small wire off the starter and one of the wires off the fuel pump if that's a concern.

This was my intent. However I think everyone else pontes out that what else might be unhooked that i miss. Until one really get to that area I might as well wait. It won't really save me time. L
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.