Ignition Problem!

[rhythmRider]

I'm new to this forum and to the 82 ' Diesel Campmobile Vanagon.
I bought her in January and I know little about anything automotive.
So you'll be seeing many post from my ignorant self.

Current Issue:
I turn the key and the lights on the dash just flicker with alittle pop sound. The battery has sufficient power. and checked all the fuses in the fuse box under the instrument panel. This has been going on for two months now.

Where is the the Glow Plug Fuse / Relay located (is it in the fuse box?)

[hoyt]

The glow plug relay and fuse are located in the engine compartment on a diesel Vanagon.

[rhythmRider]

What size fuse am I looking for?
and where exactly should I look.
I don't know where the glow plug is located.
I know I should just buy a book and i will.
The previous owner converted the Vanagon to
run Biodiesel and mickey moused the entire
electrical set up.

[hoyt]

Here is a picture of the glow plug relay and fuse:



The fuse is hard to see, but there is a plastic cover with a "strip" style fuse behind it. I think the fuse is a 50A, but it could be 30A.

[rhythmRider]

Hoyt
Thanks a Million. Awesome Pic.
Couldn't get anymore clean cut than that.
Thanks!

[Fatmobile]

Sounds like a bad battery cable connection.
Hold the key in the starter position for awhile, then feel all the cables for heat,... a bad connection with get warm.
Suspect the ground connection to the block or frame.

[libbybapa]

Yup, even if the entire glow plug wiring was missing or fubar, it wouldn't prevent the starter from turning. Just for fun put a wrench on the crank bolt and rotate by hand clockwise. After confirming that the engine is not seized start checking ground and power from battery to starter and back again. After confirming that the power and ground paths are great, focus on the ignition switch.

Andrew

[rhythmRider]

I know little about anything automotive.

Hey Libbybapa
Where is the ignition switch exactly. I haven't gotten a chance to get a book yet.


Hey Fatmobile,
Thanks. Great advice. This Forum is outstanding! You Guys are so on top of it.

[libbybapa]

The ignition kinda behind the ignition lock cylinder (where you put the key in the steering column to start the car). You can fairly easily access it by removing the two screws from the plastic cover under the steering wheel.

Follow the outlined procedure. Don't mess with the ignition switch until you have confirmed good current flow, positive and negative, to and from the starter.

Andrew.

[stopping]

By chance do the oil and alternator lights stay on the whole time and every time you crank to start it? If not there may be a bad connection in the ignition switch.

Mine does this periodically right now and I find if I move the key a bit until the LED lights come on and it starts. This phenomenon doesn't effect the starter at all. Does this sound like your symptoms?