I kinda remember in the old days, driving a truck with the battery
disconnected, but that was carbureted and non-electronic ignition, etc.  I
think if you disconnect the battery in a Vanagon, you've disconnected the FI
system.

Yeah, I'm as groggy as you.

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 9:50 PM
Subject: Re: Alternator not charging/ solenoid meltdown

> Sorin, I'm kinda tired so this might not be right, but I am pretty sure
that
> if you unhook the negative battery terminal when the engine is running on
any
> van that it will kill the motor.  Why?  Because you have just opened up
the
> return path in the circuit.  All of the electricity going to the motor has
to
> have a ground and you just unhooked it.  So no wonder it dies (normal).
> The problem you were having with the "solenoid" (which is actually called
a
> coil) was really unrelated to your charging problem.  When coils go bad
they
> poop out black tar which insulates the coils inside from each other.
> Eventually even tar will come out to allow the coils to touch which would
> either kill your ignition or make the spark so weak that it wouldn't
start.
> The best way to check your charging system is with a multimeter between
the
> two terminals of the battery.  Check it when the van is not running.
Start
> up the van and see what it is putting out then.  Should be around 13.6
> volts-14 volts.  Higher or lower can mean problems.
> Hope this helps you.
>
> Ken Wilford
> http://www.vanagain.com
> John 3:16
> Office (856)-765-1583
> Shop (856)-327-0027
> Fax   (856)-327-2242
>