Syncro Electrics problems

[wbxr6 Dave]

Hi all, hope you can help, i'm new to the Syncro ownership and forum, been kicking round the VW seen for the last 2 years in the wife's bay window. Took the plunge and bounght a 1990 T3 Syncro bus.

Coming home last night in the rain, half way home down a country lane front main beam lights, heater and fan, front fog lamps and wipers all went
off. made it home abit slowly.

Checked the fuses this morning can find no blown ones, not sure if 3rd relay may be a problem or water has shorted out something at the front, any ideas what it could be? Don’t tell me syncro’s don’t like a little rain, LOL.

Regards Dave

[KarlT]

No good at electrics but liking your bus. Alloys look great, what are they?

[wbxr6 Dave]

Thanks Karl,

they are Team Dynamics Rimfire HD 6.5x16". No one could quite tell me what would fit and what was strong enough in the way of alloys, so I did my research and found these with 1150Kgs weight rating. I have to say I am very pleased with them too.

Cheers

Dave

[Mark.T]

I had similar problem turned out to be ignition switch

[Russel]

Most likely one of 2 things: ignition switch(this sits at the base of the ignition barrel) or an earth problem. There are earth hedgehogs behind the fuze box.
Russel

[wbxr6 Dave]

Russel

Many thanks for your reply, what do I need to look for? I'm on a tight learning curve with this one... Ignition switch, is it somethink that is likely to have come loose or an item that will need to be replaced? If so have you got one and how much

Earth hedgehog - I take it it is crazy wiring to the chassis? If so check it has not come loose?

Best I came up with was second on the bottom row relay for x power, thought that may be the problem - am I in the wrong track.

Cheers

Dave

[Russel]

The hedgehog is a unit screwed on to the body with multiple earth connections on it. Depending on your van there will be 2 or 3 behind the fuze box on the A pillar.
The ignition unit fits at the base of the ignition barrel. To get to it you will have to strip the steering colim and remove barrel. Turning it upside down you will see a white plastic unit with a small fillips screw that holds it in position. You can get these from JK ,GSF,Euro car parts. Not sure if Baxter dose then ( Brick-yard) Check if he dose as he will be the best to deal with.
Also give details as these vary between early and late models and between petrol or diesel.
Russel

[wbxr6 Dave]

Thanks Russel

I'll give Mr Baxter a call tomorrow, and consult the Haynes manual of distruction.

Cheers

Dave

[wbxr6 Dave]

Russel

Thank you for all your help with this one, I have one on order from JK's, will arrive in the morning. Hope it's not too much of an epic fit. I'll post again to let you know if the tank lives.

Many thanks

Dave

[tencentlife]

You're on the right track that all these things are powered from the X-bus which is supplied via the Load Reduction Relay.

The LRR is plugged into the main fuse panel, position 8. Here's another recent discussion of similar problems with some useful info:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=387264" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The LRR's coil gets energised by the X-contact in the ignition switch (black/yellow wire off the back of the switch, which goes to the headlight switch on its way to the back of the fuse panel). So the ignition switch can be the culprit. You can probe the X-contact connection at the back of the ignition switch with a testlight to confirm that it goes hot when the key is in the run position, and not hot when the key is turned to starter position (this is the load reduction feature, it unpowers all those consumers to reserve power when the starter is operated). Jiggle the key while in the run position to be sure it stays hot.

The LRR coil grounds to the #31 bus within the fuse panel, which is shared by many things. If your emergency flashers work then that bus is grounded so the LRR coil should be as well. Never a bad idea to freshen up those ground rosettes (what you call hedgehogs) under the dash anyway, they can be the source of many problems.

And the relay itself can fail. There is a part number in the thread I linked to, the poster giving it is very reliable with electrical info.

Good luck. Might as well plan on cleaning up all the engine grounds, too, and check out those fuel hoses!

[wbxr6 Dave]

All

Thanks for your advice, you were bang on the money with the starter switch. Pain in the bum getting the multiplug back on mind!

Cheers

Dave

[torchy]

Thanks Russel

I'll give Mr Baxter a call tomorrow, and consult the Haynes manual of distruction.

Cheers

Dave

Best investment I ever made was my "Volkswagen Vanagon" manual by Bently.

Get one, they aint cheap but you seriously won't regret it!