Vanagon Fuel Pump

[4stevek]

I have a 1988 Vanagon, when I turn the key the fuel pump doesn't always cycle. Sometimes it will cycle twice in a row some times four in a row sometimes 10 turns with nothing happening at all. If it doesn't cycle there is no chance of it starting, if the fuel pump does cycle, and the battery is charged enough, there is a 25% to 50% chance of it starting. The pump itself is not that old, maybe two years, could it be a fuse issue? I'm unable to drive it because it doesn't start reliably.

Also, if I do get her running, taking short trips around town, the engine and everything will stop suddenly, if I'm lucky I can coast to the curb. At that point I have to wait a little while then she'll start again. But once again waiting to hear if the fuel pump cycles.

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

[Christopholi]

Sounds a bit like it might be your ignition switch. If it is failing, you may be getting intermittent power to the pump and other peripherals. If you put in a new switch, consider a hot start relay. It protects the switch itself from high loads, shortening its life. Most vendors carry them.

It could also be a fuse, wiring, or half a dozen other things.
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1988 Tintop Wolfsburg Special Edition - "Meatloaf"
RMW 2.5 Subaru, SubaruGears 5MT 4.44 w/LSD, Coast Mountain Hightop

[mikemtnbike]

In order of ease of testing/diagnosis:

1) Wiring at fuel pump- just make sure it's all secure, intact.
2) Ignition switch- try a new one, see if helps.
2) relays for fuel pump/ECU. Look all this up.
3) I guess ECU would be next.

That'd be my process for those symptoms. Digifant protraining manual would be used if it wasn't the relays.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual