[Vwdiesel] Starting problems

[David Cook]

I agree that in a way, the relay is kind of a
band-aid.

However, I have less of a problem using this band-aid
on the starter.  For one, like was said, the starter
does take a lot of current to work.  Not having all
this current run through the ignition switch can't be
a bad thing.  I know that in the late 80s, early-mid
90s VWs, the ignition switches seem to be a little bit
fragile.  And, they are a bit of a pain in the butt to
change out (esp if you've got an airbag) so anything
to not kill it is a good thing.

I also have put relays into the circuits for my
headlights on one car so get all the current directly
to the (upgraded) bulbs.  Pulling that much current
through the headlight switch would quickly kill it.

I guess in reality, I see it as less of a band-aid and
more as an improvement on a slightly sketchy design.  

David

--- HWY9FERGS at cs.com wrote:

> Hi all, I'm piping up again (uh oh ) I also agree
> that the problem is with connections breaking down
> under the load.  Fixing these things by going around
> the original circuits with relays seems like maybe
> shouldn't be necessary.  Any section of a circuit
> you suspect might be a problem can actually be
> checked by putting a voltmeter on it.  For instance,
> pos lead on one side of a connection and the neg on
> the other side of the same connection. With the
> circuit activated,if the current is going on through
> unimpeded you won't read voltage.  Any wire, cable,
> crimp, etc etc, you might suspect the circuit
> breaking down, if you put the meter leads on either
> side of it and activate the circuit, being able to
> read voltage means the circuit has resistance (bad).
>  I want to qualify all this with one major caveat.
>  Electrical problems can be very sneaky and this
> applies especially to intermittent problems dealing
> with circuits breaking down under load. PS  Look
> very very closely at any connections, terminals,
> lugs, crimps, etc etc that are on or near the
> battery, because exposure to sulfuric acid fumes
> causes especially insidious damage to these
> connections. Sometimes a pretty good, clean looking
> terminal can be breaking down under load. In the
> case of these intermittent starter problems, I'd
> take all of the feed wire terminals coming off the
> positive battery cable terminal, remove, clean,
> tighten and double check the one that goes off to
> the starter switch.  I've seen a perfectly good
> looking one be a problem. Also, don't forget your
> engine grounds, sometimes are overlooked and can
> cause problems.  Good luck and happy hunting. 

David Cook
Red '86 Cabriolet Diesel Powered
Red '90 g60 Corrado 
Brown and White '78 Westy Campmobile "Bear"
and others in various states of disrepair
Pictures here: community.webshots.com/user/superdave5599


		
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs