Itinerant Air-Cooled

Coming home from a great campout this weekend, I made a stop to take the kids for a quick swim in the Cache la Poudre River. Pretty hot day, 90+. Got back in the bus to make the final stretch home, turned the key, and got the "nothing" that screams hot start problem. Shorted the solenoid, and got the starter to spin. Hopped in, turned the key, and the engine started right up.

Now, I installed a Bosch hot start relay from Bus Depot many years ago. It appears to be dying. I have read of folks using a relay from an old Ford. Can someone please give me some specifics on exactly what type of Ford relay I should be looking for? Should this be a boneyard hunt? Guidance appreciated!

-Bret

I'm sure they're referring to a Ford starter solenoid. A $10 or lees part at any parts store. Used on every ford from the 60's up till about, well my 89 Mustang still has one....it's total overkill as you only need a relay to provide hot 12V to the little terminal and this will handle the current thru the BIG wire. The Borsch relay is really better and also commonly available.

bretski wrote: I installed a Bosch hot start relay from Bus Depot many years ago. It appears to be dying.

Don't be too quick to blame the relay, especially if it is located underneath near the starter. Do please go check its power source/destinations for clean connections, and the starter terminals and battery posts and all. Many years, you know?
Colin

Yes, check the connections. Loose stakons is common after a few years.

Never, in my 35 years of aircooled VW ownership, have I heard of anyone replacing their add-on starter relay.

Sure, it's possible, but....

Okee-dokee. I will check and clean all of the connections before throwing parts at the problem. I think I installed the relay around 1999, so it's been "under the bus" for a while now...

if it's been unprotected sitting under the bus all that time and hasn't failed yet - id buy a spare to carry with you for when it does.

the hard start relay in my 81 would only make it about 2 years before failing on average. bosch brand or otherwise, same results. ideally we would move these up into the engine compartment and out of the elements.

airkooledchris wrote:if it's been unprotected sitting under the bus all that time and hasn't failed yet - id buy a spare to carry with you for when it does.

the hard start relay in my 81 would only make it about 2 years before failing on average. bosch brand or otherwise, same results. ideally we would move these up into the engine compartment and out of the elements.

I think the point is to have them near the starter to keep the wire run short.
Mine isn't a bosch, but it is enclosed in a plastic molded type case. I have never had one go bad, a couple of them are over 6 years old. I have had the Sta-con push connectors get loose and it would seem like the relay would be failing, I would just squeeze it closed a bit so it would fit tighter.

airkooledchris wrote:if it's been unprotected sitting under the bus all that time and hasn't failed yet - id buy a spare to carry with you for when it does.

the hard start relay in my 81 would only make it about 2 years before failing on average. bosch brand or otherwise, same results. ideally we would move these up into the engine compartment and out of the elements.

I blobbed mine with RTV RTV RTV to make it weather-proof. I hate when these relays engage the starter without my consent when the engine is at 4,000 rpm.

Ah! Maybe a difference with Type IV vs. Type 1. Mine is dry and snug as a bug. Maybe that is why it lasts.

(My starter relay that is. I don't what Colin is referring to, but now we all know that he slathers RTV on it)

I think mine is up along the firewall, where Colin helped me install it. Dry and snug as a bug too.

I saw this one on TS, looks pretty well made.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... id=1119538

sailorkh wrote:I saw this one on TS, looks pretty well made.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... id=1119538

That looks nicely made. Seller has good reviews, too. I might get this as a backup, thank you.

i use a ford with 2 big and 2 little terminals on it. ask the oldest guy behind the counter for it. if his eyes glaze over, find another flaps.
i even have one on my yard tractor.