all right, good to hear.
those 3 points are electrcially all in common, though in the real world of
electron flow it doesn't always work that way.
but 'poor connection' ..........all right !
glad I did run down there.
so an 87 does not have that 'long stud' main wiring connection the starter
main post that supplies current to 'everywhere else' ?
I just glanced an an 87 Wolfsburg I just got. The alternator wiring is not
original.
Looks like they connnected the alternator to two places.
glad you got it for him !
scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "mdrillock" <mdrillock@cox.net>
To: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:43 PM
Subject: WAS guy broken down in N. California - now running again

> Brian may be back in business. He called me again when he got back to the
> closed shop where he had it towed. He had a voltmeter so I talked him into
> trying basic step by step voltage tests first before continuing with his
> intended parts swapping process. Step 2 showed the problem. 12 volts at
> the alternator wiring stud only with the key off, ZERO volts with the key
> on. On his 87 the battery powers the ECU and fuel pump circuit through the
> alternator stud as a main wiring junction point. Zero volts at the
> alternator stud means zero volts for the ECU and fuel pump. The engine
> will not start unless the ECU and fuel pump have power so problem found.
>
> The 12 volt current comes backwards through the large wire from the
> battery to the starter, then over a 6mm red wire to the alternator, then
> over a 2.5mm red wire from the alternator to the fuel injection power lug
> in the main engine wiring box. After the engine starts the 12 volt current
> flows the other way, from the alternator to the starter and then to the
> battery to charge it. Since he said his starter cranked fine even when the
> alternator stud had zero volts, the problem is between the starter and
> alternator. This is the same wiring that was being discussed yesterday as
> a known failure point of the charging system. Different years have
> slightly differing arrangements so the above details are meant for 86/87
> and very close for 88-91.
>
> Brian tightened the nut that holds the large red wires to the alternator
> stud and the engine then started. I think he perhaps just disturbed
> whatever bad connection is present inside that red wire from the starter
> and the problem may return. I told him how to bypass the suspect wire if
> the problem should return.
>
>
> Mark
>
>
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>> A guy called me a while ago, Brian,  with a 'restricted' cell phone #, so
>> I can't call him back.
>> He had offered to pay me to go rescue him near Weaverville , Ca.
>> ( no ignitioin out of the coil on a 2.1 wtbxr vanagon as I understand
>> it ) .......
>> I'm certain I can fix his van, even if I have to bring another wiring
>> harness, which I have several of , or whatever.  I'd go with 2
>> distrubtors and 2 ECU's at least, plus a bunch of tools.
>