84 diesel rabbit resurrection

pumpkin2themax · Post by **pumpkin2themax** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:43 pm

So i pulled an 84 rabbit out of the woods today. Overall the thing looks like it may one day drive again. The rust situation is not bad at all for a Maine car and the engine compartment looks fairly clean. I got the thing to a place where i can work on it and immediatley hooked up a battery to see if there was any life. When i turn the key to the first position, all the bells and whistles go off. The fuel pump starts pumping, the wipers go, all the dash lights turn on, and a buzzer sounds. I havent had a chance to look at the fuse pannel, but i suspect its corroded. When i turn the key all the way, the bells and whistles continue, but no response from the starter. What do you guys think? is there a possibility that this thing will go?

The good news is that the engine turns over when I put it in gear and roll the car, there is oil in the pan despite years of sitting, and... well i cant think of another thing, but i have hopes for this car.

Keep in mind this is my first diesel project and any and all help or input is greatly appreciated, I'm here to learn.

thanks,
nate

tylernt · Post by **tylernt** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:08 am

It is common for earlier Rabbits to have rain leak on the fusebox from a leaky windshield, but later Rabbits like yours usually do not suffer that problem.

The next common problem is grounding -- you should have 4 grounding points in the engine compartment. Two run from the battery, one to the transmission and one to the body. Then there is a brown wire going from shock tower to shock tower with various things tying into it. These connections often go bad and when they do, all sorts of weird electrical things start happening. Been there, done that.

I imagine there is a grounding connection in the passenger compartment near the fusebox, though I haven't been into mine yet to see. Anyway, the first place to check any VW electrical issues are the grounds.

Your next purchase should be the Bentley service manual -- worth every penny.

Congrats on your diesel purchase! Also, you've found the right place if you're looking for fellow diesel fans.

busguy71 · Post by **busguy71** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:55 am

if you turn the key and the fuel pump goes on, thats a gas motor. right?

tylernt · Post by **tylernt** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:56 am

busguy71 wrote:if you turn the key and the fuel pump goes on, thats a gas motor. right?

Heh, yeah, good point -- no electric fuel pump on a diesel. Maybe he heard the wiper washer pump.

Post by **Fatmobile** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:44 pm

I was thinking the previous owner added a helper pump, because the injection pump wasn't priming well,... common easy fix for a bad vane pump.

pumpkin2themax, Are you sure it's a diesel?

The '84s are nice because they come with plastic fender liners and usually have bolt through wings.

pumpkin2themax · Post by **pumpkin2themax** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:02 pm

I took a look at the fuse box today and it looked pretty good. I'll check out the grounds when i get a chance.

The fuel pump is definately a custom touch... (attached with sheet metal screws to the fender well :/ ). 100% sure she's a diesel, not that clueless.

The fact that there is a helper pump worries me slightly... if its a sign of a weak injector pump, it may be more trouble than its worth. I'm really bitten by the diesel bug though, and if this one is too far gone i'll definately be in the market for another.

thanks for your guidance, and i'll keep you posted

nate

Post by **Fatmobile** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:41 am

You'll have to change the timing belt anyway so it's not too much more work to change the injection pump while you are in there.