Hi Dave,

I don't have an ohm meter, but I will double check that left head ground strap (and everything near it) this morning.  All of the problems I'm having have began since I installed the new engine.  Of course, I've replaced lots of peripheral parts, but the only electrical component replaced was the O2 sensor (and catalytic converter - aftermarket).

Thanks again.

Warren Lail
88 Westy "Billy Bones"
87 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: MilosKitchen <sagmoore@zoominternet.net>
Date: Sunday, March 7, 2004 7:37 am
Subject: RE: New Twist on Billy Bones

> Arrr,
> Lots of good things have been mentioned (O2 sensor, Temp II
> sensor). I have
> been following along with this thread, and have one thing to add.
> Seems as
> though the time varies as to when Billy runs ok and when he
> baulks; usually
> if you have a bad component or sensor, it's fairly predictable.
> Grounds have
> also been mentioned and I read that you do not have an ohm meter.
> Pleasefind someone that has one and check the braided ground strap
> between the
> left hand head (top) and the body, usually under the coil.
> Disconnect one
> end of the strap and check the strap for resistance (end to end)
> on the Rx1
> scale, should be zero ohms. If not, this could be part of the
> problem (this
> from painful experience). Did Mr. Bones exhibit this behavior
> before the
> engine work? If not, go back over every ground connection that was
> disconnected.
> Fair Seas,
> Dave
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Warren.K.Lail-1
> Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2004 9:53 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: New Twist on Billy Bones
>
>
> Thanks to each of you great guys who have offered
> suggestions.  This is the Vanagon List operating
> at its finest!
>
> Larry Alofs asked if I had checked the Temp II
> sensor.  It is new, but then I looked at my list
> of things and one of the last things I did before
> the trouble began again today was to recheck the
> timing, which requires that I unplug the Temp II
> sensor.  So, I went outside and checked it.  It was
> plugged in.  So I unplugged it and plugged it back
> in.  Started Billy and he idled fine.  Drove him
> more than 10 miles and he ran beautifully.  As I
> started back home, he began to load up again.
>
> I got home.  Unplugged the Temp II sensor again
> and replugged it.  Started, but soon loaded up
> again.  I cut it off.  Then when I tried to start
> it again, the engine would not turn over at all,
> not even the starter will turn (like a bad starter
> connection).  I rocked the bus back and forth in
> second gear and tried again, but no start.
>
> Now I'm beginning to think I've got a short
> somewhere in the system that is causing this
> problem.  It may not have anything to do with the
> Temp II sensor, but it may be that by wriggling
> those wires around I'm doing making some contact.
>
> Jack has suggested that maybe the coil is going
> out.  The previous owner told me he replaced the
> coil more than once on this bus... mmmm.
>
> Mike Boland suggested that I check to see if the
> brown wire from the Hall sender is grounded to the
> left head.  I really don't know, Mike.  Where does
> that wire originate and where should it be attached?
>
> I think we're getting close to solving this mystery.
> I'm beginning to believe that there is a wire or
> connector on the left side of the engine that is
> causing this problem. Possibly a short, possibly
> a loose wire.  Please keep this think-tank going.
> I have a headlamp so I can go to the driveway and
> try things all night.
>
> My best to you all,
>
> Warren Lail
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones"
> 87 GL
>
>