On Jan 1, 2007, at 5:38 PM, Robert Campbell wrote:

> Hello Gang!
>
> My precious '91 Carat has developed a problem.  From time-to-time,
> the van will not start.  I can tell by listening that the fuel pump
> is not powering up.  I checked both #53 relays in the engine
> compartment, it seems that only one of these engage during the
> failure mode. But, the problem is not resolved by swapping the two
> #53 relays around.  This problem is intermittent!  I cannot drive
> the van because I don't know where I won't start again.

I recently went through a spate of such problems. Replace the
ignition switch. It costs $12 and takes about half an hour. Good
instructions in the archives.

Jim

> Has anyone seen anything like this?  Do you have insight you can
> share with me?  The issue seems that only the #53 relay "on the
> left" engages.  Normal operation seems to be #53 LEFT engage, #53
> RIGHT engage, release #53 LEFT (at this time the fuel pump is
> running).
>
> Please, if you have some info, can you let me know?  This is my
> daily driver and I'm at the tail end of a kitchen remodel and lack
> a good utility vehicle for all the stuff one must get to do all
> this kitchen, bathroom, tile, cabinet, backsplash and appliance
> work! :-)  (I'm so proud of my Vanagon for being able to hold a
> full-size range and dishwasher with plenty of room for more stuff
> and people too!)
>
> Thanks gang!  Happy New Year to everyone!  Let's hope our Vanagons
> carry on many fun-filled adventures in this new year!
>
>     -Robert
>
>

Jim Felder
felder@knology.net

  "I long ago lost a hound, a bay horse, and a turtle dove, and am
still on their trail. Many are the travelers I have spoken to
concerning them, describing their tracks and what calls they answered
to. I have met one or two who had heard the hound, and the tramp of
the horse, and even seen the dove disappear behind a cloud, and they
seemed as anxious to recover them as if they had lost them
themselves." - henry thoreau