Cooper,

The blue wire was the first thing I checked. Thanks for rhe prompt response.

Regards,

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westfalia

Cooper Jonathan wrote:

> Make sure the little blue wire on the alternator.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Thomas D. Hanlon [mailto:hanran@EARTHLINK.NET]
> Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2002 12:16 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: No Start after alternator failure and replacement.. Help
> requested
>
> Listees,
>
> Westy is in "no start" condition during the first 130 miles of 6,000
> mile journey. I'm safe at home, frustrated.
>
> After a shutdown of van, tow truck operator suggested that the
> alternator failed at high speed. Dash lights behaved erratically for
> about 10/15 miles at 60 MPH. "Battery" light did not come on,  nor was
> there any other indication problem until dash lights, fuel gauge and
> temp gauge began to recede to low levels.  Westy 1.9  engine stopped.
> Battery was drained.
>
> Alternator removed and tested and produced 2 volts of about a 12-volt
> standard. The failure was "machine" diagnosed as "diode."
>
> Replacement alternator installed and recently-purchased "new" battery
> charged and tested. The starter will turn, strongly, but the van will
> not start.
>
> DIGITOOL READINGS
>
> Digitool LEDs, "Inj," "T-S," "Fuel," and "Coil," light up.
> Digitool LED "Start" remains unlighted.
>
> Digitool LCDs, "Temp 1," "Temp 2,"  "Power,"  "AFM" and "Oxy Sensor" are
> blank/unlighted..
>
> In three "tries" there was a "slight" sound of what appeared to be an
> attempt to start, just barely, minimally, unsuccessfully..
>
> There is a faint smell of fuel. Can an fuel injected engine "flood?"
>
> Is there some electrical component which could have been damaged by the
> failure of the alternator and the subsequent draining of the battery? At
> the time of the incident, I tried three of four times to start the
> engine, and once I had a "power pack"  (portable battery) start which
> allowed me to go another 10 miles, or so, until the shutdown.
>
> Please offer opinions on solution/resolution of this problem.
>
> What I have had reemphasized to me in this incident:
> It is essential to have a cell phone in the Southern California/Arizona
> Desert.
> I find it wise to have paid the "extra" for the AAA 'Plus" with a
> hundred-mile tow coverage
> I find myself to be even "wiser" to be insured 15 years by GEICO
> Insurance with ERS "Emergency Road Service." The  coverage as a
> supplement to AAA.  Towed home about 150 miles. Towing charge of $337.00
> covered 100 miles by AAA and 50 miles by GEICO.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom Hanlon
> Palm Springs, CA
> 84 Westfalia