Won’t start on TDC

[EbenDahl]

Recently started having a wierd starting issue. Seems that it won’t start when it at TDC. I can rock the van or manually crank the engine and then it starts fine.
I’ve got a 2.5L EJ in an 82 vanagon with a hi-torque starter.
Anyone else experienced this issue? Can’t really figure out how to resolve this one really.

[Ahwahnee]

When you say 'it won't start' do you mean that the starter won't crank the engine?

Or do you mean that the starter cranks the engine but it won't fire?

[SCM]

Do you have an auto or manual trans?
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[Howesight]

How do you even know, when twisting the key, that the engine is at Top Dead Centre?

I once had a Kennedy Engineered Products (KEP) flywheel with stripped teeth on one part of the flywheel (my fault because the starter was loose). Is that the kind of symptom you are experiencing - - starter runs without turning the engine unless the crank is rotated a bit?
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[EbenDahl]

By “not start” I mean I turn the ignition and the starter doesn’t even crank. The starter has power and everything else seems to be in the proper order. If I rock the vehicle or hand crank the engine to a point of lower pressure, it’ll crank and fire up no problem.

I have an automatic transmission

[AZ Landshaper]

try a diff starter. Mine was a bit weak at one point. Diff one did the trick. You also may not have a decent ground. Makes sure your existing deal is grounded before wasting time switching in another.
_________________
Support Small Business.

-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[MarkWard]

It sounds like a ritual that might have nothing to do with why it cranks or doesn't. If the starter is not engaging, then rotating the engine to a "better" spot should have no significance. Rotating the engine or rocking the van, might improve a poor electrical connection.

I would put a volt meter on the battery and watch it when you attempt to crank it. Then do your ritual and test again, watching the voltage when it cranks.

Someone mentioned the transmission ground strap. That's where I would start. The next test would be to preform a voltage drop test between the battery positive and the starter solenoid. You'd then test the ground circuit between the battery negative and the starter housing.

I'd recommend watching some you tube videos on how to preform a voltage drop test.

Also, how do you know the crank is at TDC when it doesn't crank? Are you referencing the TDC timing mark?
_________________
☮️

[SCM]

[?Waldo?]

[Howesight]

So I now think I understand what the OP was trying to say. The torque provided by the starter is so weak that it appears (to him) to stop rotating the crank when the engine hits TDC on a cylinder.

Here's the deal:

1. There may be resistance in the starter's electrical circuit.
a.This begins with the positive the connector at the battery, which may have a poor connection to the battery terminal.

b. Then, the positive cable itself is subject to corrosion in the area close to the main terminal on the starter solenoid. Peeling back the insulation there will permit a visual inspection.

c. Then, the Subaru starters (if you have a Smallcar bellhousing, you will have a Subaru starter and you say nothing about this) do feature a solenoid with replaceable copper contacts. A $10 kit is available to correct that problem.

2. If you have a Subaru starter, they do simply lose performance over time and die as the windings short or corrode. I replaced my Subaru starter a few months ago (with a tested, used but OEM starter from a wrecking yeard) and the change was like night and day.

3. The solenoids in VW starters can also cause electrical resistance through failure/deterioration of the copper contacts. I am unaware whether a kit or fix is available for this.

4. Finally, VW starters also fail for similar reasons to the Subaru. A replacement might be in order. But first, eliminate possible electrical resistance sources as described above.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX