| Subject: | Re: Tough to start on cold mornings |
| From: | luke sponsler |
| Date: | Wed, 18 Dec 2002 12:05:40 -0800 |
<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV> <P><BR><BR></P> <DIV> <DIV></DIV> <P><BR><BR></P>Dan, </DIV></DIV> <P>I had this same problem in the last couple of weeks. Though it doesn't get that cold in San Diego, the van was having trouble holding its idle on cold mornings. </P> <DIV></DIV> <P>Last weekend I did two things and the problem has been resolved. I'm not sure which thing fixed it, because I did them on the same day. </P> <DIV></DIV> <P>First make sure the coil (the spark plug wire that is not attached to the sparl plugs) is firmly plugged in. Mine was barely connected which also caused my tac to jump around on bumbs.</P> <DIV></DIV> <P>If that looks fine, try rerplacing the <STRONG><U>BLUE</U></STRONG> temp sensor (I'm not sure if it is calle the Temp I or Temp II sensor). I ordered mine from Volks Cafe for $12.50. It is easy to do but kinda messy. Be sure to be careful or wear googles so as not to coolant in your eyes. At the time i changed it my coolant was already drained (I was also replacing a leaking hose at the time) so only a little collant came out when I pulled the blue temp sensor. <U>You may want to ask others on the list if it is mandatory to drain the collnat to replace this part.</U> You will find the part underneath the car on the right side attached to the thermostat. All you have to do is take some plyers and remove the two pins that hold it in place. After I took mine out the old sensor looked orangish-brown, so maybe that was a sign that it had failed. </P> <DIV></DIV> <P>I hope this helps. The whole job (unless you must drain the coolant) will take less time that reading this email).</P> <DIV></DIV> <P>Later,</P> <DIV></DIV> <P>luke </P> <DIV></DIV> <P>88 westy zorbus </P> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>----Original Message Follows---- <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>From: Dan Erlandson <DANOER1@ECLIPSE.NET> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Reply-To: Dan Erlandson <DANOER1@ECLIPSE.NET> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Subject: Tough to start on cold mornings <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 13:26:38 -0500 <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>So it was about 16 o F this morning in NJ and this was the second time where <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>my wife had trouble starting the Van when it was down into the teens. Don't <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>think we have had many mornings as cold as this one. The other time it had <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>trouble was about 2 weeks ago. The van has been starting and running fine <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>otherwise. <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>My wife tells me that it cranks, starts for a moment and then dies. I've <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>come out both times and gotten it started by cranking it and keeping the gas <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>pedal down. It has taken a few attempts but I have gotten it started both <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>times... runs fine after that. Before she finally starts it sounds as if <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>the engine is stuttering.. trying to start, but doesn't quite catch. Turn <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>the key and it cranks normally and then skip, skip skip as it tries to <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>start. <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>I ran some fuel injector cleaner through last time this happened... and just <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>last night the gas tank was down very low... into the reserve. <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>My battery is good (I think) and is about 2 years old (VW brand), the coil <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>was replaced a few years ago using a FLAPS brand, and there is a Bosch <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>starter on it that we had put in about 3 years ago. <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>She has been running great otherwise. <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Anybody have some thoughts??? Thanks <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>-- <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Dan Erlandson <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Flemington, NJ <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>danoer1@eclipse.net <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>91 VW Vanagon GL <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>99 VW Passat <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>Protect your PC - <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMQEN/2024">Click here</a> for McAfee.com VirusScan Online </html>
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