Maybe we need another relay to reduce the load on that terminal.   :-)

On Wed, Dec 9, 2015 at 3:18 PM, Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@gmail.com> wrote:

> Almost every ignition switch I've replaced was due to it not delivering
> power to the FI, the starter always cranked just fine, but no sparks...
>
> Just my experience.
>
> Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Jim Felder
> Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 6:42 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Vanagon Starter relay kit
>
> Certainly it is an upgrade. Making the switch do all the work of starting
> the car is a well-known way to wear out the switches, which I have known to
> last as little as a week anyway if you have to use one that is not top
> German quality. VW engineers were just getting by with the wiring in the
> Vanagon and many other cars for years, that's for sure, though they were
> far from the only ones.
>
> If it happens to be a fix as well, let's not worry about that. Especially
> at the low opportunity cost of the upgrade.
>
> Jim
>
> On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 8:49 PM Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I tend to think of a starter relay as an upgrade rather than a fix.
> > True, it can make a starter work when it has become unreliable for
> > whatever reason, maybe for a while, maybe forever.  However installing
> > a relay proactively, before a problem arises, may preserve that good
> > ignition switch.  An inductive load, drawing substantial current is
> > hard on those contacts in the switch.  I may be wrong, but I  have the
> > impression that most car manufacturers now use starter relays, including
> VW, post T3.
> >
> > Larry A.
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 9:07 PM, Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Actually, for the starter to operate properly, that is a pretty
> > > complete list... power, ground, and the bushing to support the
> > > starter motor.  I guess you could add the starter motor itself to
> > > the list.  But if that's your problem, it's foolish not to replace.
> > >
> > > I can understand using a "fix" when in a pinch, but I prefer to fix
> > > it properly when possible.  That "fix" will eventually not work,
> > > especially
> > if
> > > the problem in the bushing.  Not fun when you're many miles from
> > > civilization.
> > >
> > > It's great that the "fix" is working for you, I prefer to fix things
> > > correctly.  Just my opinion...
> > >
> > > Jeff
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: vw_van_fan_Mark [mailto:madvws@cox.net]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 5:30 PM
> > > To: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: Re: Vanagon Starter relay kit
> > >
> > > You stated the 3 good things like it was the complete list and it
> isn't.
> > >
> > > Jay's kit is far from the kind of hack job you are talking about.
> > >
> > > Most people have to pay retail for Vanagon parts and $100 an hour
> > > for a shop replace them. If there is a $30 alternative to a $200 -
> > > $400 repair then 'bring it on' many of them would say. Not all VW
> > > owners have the
> > money
> > > to spend for the "right" fix when a much cheaper alternative exists
> > > and
> > may
> > > do the job for a long time, even forever.
> > >
> > > In my own case I put a relay kit in one of my Syncros when the
> > > starter began sometimes acting up. I think that was like 6 years
> > > ago. I can
> > afford
> > > a starter any day but with a diff lock equipped Syncro I am happy to
> > leave
> > > the still working starter alone. I don't have a shop and I have to
> > > lay on the ground under the van.
> > >
> > > Mark
> > >
> > >
> > > Jeff Schwaia wrote:
> > > > "almost true"...  is that like "almost pregnant"???   ;-)
> > > >
> > > > I guess I'm a jaded VW mechanic.  Back when I was a lad working at
> > > > a VW
> > > shop in Leucadia (Harvey's Automotive), I saw way too many starter
> > > relay hack jobs that could've been avoided with a $1 starter
> > > bushing.  Always considered it a lazy, hack-job work around.
> > > >
> > > > Do it once, do it right...
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > >
> > > > Jeff
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>