Is this issue isolated to the diesel motor?

On Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 11:03 PM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:

> This is kinda to bring everyone up to speed on  recent problems on my '88
> GL Vanagon.
>
> A little while back driving down the road the starter suddenly engaged.
> Stalled the engine. Clutched it, but could not turn off the starter. Fnally
> did, and long story short, got it tow to HESCO, one of the best garages in
> the area. They will work on anything. Even had a snowmachine mounted on
> wheels in there.
>
> Anyway, after checking, they found the engine bay harness was fried, as was
> the ECU and the starter. It seemed the meltdown began with a PS switch
> wire.
>
> What has been learned from knowlegable folks ln this list, is that:
>
> 1) The PS steering switch circuit is a hot, un-fused circuit. There is no
> protection of this circuit on these vans.
>
> 2) The fix ( by way of David Beierl) is to install  a 7.5 amp fuse in the
> engine wiring box, in the red wire that goes from the B+ post inside the
> box to the relay box.  That will keep your harness from smoking.
>
> 3) A thru 2003 BRAND NEW FROM THE FACTORY starter for a TDI DIESEL, fitted
> with an adapter plate, works perfect. This also works with a Subaru engine
> conversion.
>
> See following links:
>
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-STARTER-FOR-VW-DIESEL-TDI-MANUAL-TRANS-HIGH-TORQUE-2Kw-ONE-YR-WARRANTY-/300475513229?hash=item45f5bc798d:g:p8EAAOxyJX1TFmlY&vxp=mtr
>
> http://www.westyventures.com/parts.html
>
> Necessary pigtail:
>
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1673971
>
> Kudos go to Peter Jones at Van Cafe for scaring me up an ECU with the
> pigtail already installed formy SHOEBOX ECU MONITOR. Since my stroke I
> don't have fin enough muslce control to do that fine soldering required.
> Hand shakes just a little to much. But he got'ter done. He is also going to
> put Davids fix on the Van Cafe  web site next to the PS swich info.
>
> And KUDOS to JAY BROWN for his advice on the starter pigtail and sending me
> a new starter relay to replace the one that got fried in all this. I happen
> to have his headlight relay set-up in both my vans, too.
>
> There were many others who provided input on this, and I want to thank you
> all too.
>
> I seriously hope this helps someone else avoid the problems and expense
> that I have had with this.  Remember, fore warned is fore armed! Fuse that
> wire and avoid all this some place on a dark and stormy night, between
> Somewheresville and Nowheresville!
>
> John
>

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Mm