Dropped in at mechanic's to check sluggish starter:

. Recently (within last year) rebuilt starter drawing 300A when hot, cold
unknown yet.
. Battery at 13.1V when van running.

Mechanic suggests starter should be drawing no more than ~150A - bad
rebuild?
Also suggests replacing regulator.  That's cheap & easy as I have a aspare
(used).

Any other trees I should be barking up?

Karl Wolz

|-----Original Message-----
|From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
|On Behalf Of Karl Wolz
|Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 9:18 PM
|To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|Subject: Battery/Starter/Wiring issue 1985 Westy w/ 2.1L & 4sp
|
|Went for a shakedown cruise today, wandering up from Phoenix
|to the top of Mingus Mtn. (above 7000 ft.), where we did some
|scrubbing and checking of this and that in nice cool air.  Got
|back to Phx around 4pm, with the temperature around 112
|degrees.  Filled up at Costco to check trip mileage (17.8,
|which kinda sucks), turned the key and had super slow starter
|motor for a couple seconds, then normal and fired right up.
|
|Several questions:
|This trip is the first time I've used the AC in about 15
|years, and the frist time I've used with the 2.1L engine; how
|much should I expect the A/C cut into fuel economy?  I drove
|about normal speed (65 - 75) for most of the trip; this
|usually yields just shy of 20 mpg.
|
|Starter issue - I've replaced the battery to starter wire and
|the the alternator to starter wire with 2ga.  The starter was
|recently rebuilt, the engine normally turns easily.  I have
|NOT replaced the starter ground connection, and have not
|inspected that wire.  This slow starter (Uerh -
|uerh) was the reason I replaced the wiring, and since then, it
|has turned quite quickly and starter right up every time.  I'd
|imagine the heat had some effect, and I certainly should take
|a close look at that battery ground wire.  Any other thoughts?
|
|Thanks in advance,
|
|Karl Wolz
|-----
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