Karl is clearly a better source of information than I am.

I have had the same problem. One aspect of the problem is that on my van,
the water faucet switch was badly corroded. The other aspect of the problem
is a sticky pump. If the van sits for a while, the impeller of the pump
sticks, causing exactly the same symptoms as you are reporting. If you can,
remove the water tank cap under the cover in the back flat cabinet, pull the
pump up from the bottom of the tank and wiggle the impeller, which always
starts mine right up. After it starts it will work for the rest of the
camping trip. I think that there were two different pumps depending on the
year model, so my advice may only be valid for early Vanagons.

If you cannot teach your wife this trick, then it would be best to follow
Karl's advice and buy a new pump.

It takes forever to fill the tank.

Tom and Dana Cates
Asheville, NC
83 Air-Cooled Westfalia, 'Hammurabi'
www.fullmoonbusclub.com/
www.type2.com/rescue/
http://members.home.net/fullmooninjoon/index.htm

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl M." <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: HELP! 82 Westy Water tank pump

> Sounds like a bad pump. Verify that current is reaching the pump by using
a
> test lamp, either at the pump itself or at the wiring connector inside the
> 'secret' area in the front double storage box. You can purchase a new one
at
> www.deltasix.com .
>
> Karl Mullendore
> Westy Ventures
> 1987 Syncro Westfalia 1.9TD
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> > Hi there.  I have had a feeling that there was something wrong with the
> pump
> > which takes water from the water tank to the sink when it wouldn't make
a
> > sound, and the lights on the console dip to red (battery) when I try to
> use
> > it.  Well, I have just spent about 15 minutes filling the water tank
> tonight,
> > (and it doesn't even seem to be full yet), but it still is doing the
same
> > thing.  When I turn the faucet to work the pump, it doesn't do anything.
> The
> > external water input works great, as normal.  What should I do?  Help if
> you
> > can.  Thanks.  David.