TheSamba.com :: Bay Window Bus - View topic - started bus after 4 years of working on it (2024)

Good:
to my complete surprise, it started on the first key. I had noted earlier that cylinder 4 was showing low compression so I was going to let it idle for a bit to get the lifters pumped up before re-measuring.
Earlier today just checked out all the fuel lines for leaks. I also disconnected the coil and cranked until the oil-light went out before starting it.

Bad:
A minute or so while idling, i noticed THICK white smoke billowing out from the engine. Very putrid smell, I immediately doused everything with a fire-extinguisher and called the local fire station to come. By the time they arrived, the smoke had dissipated, when i got my bearings back, we noticed that several wires were burnt.

I'm attaching some photos. I think the issue *might* have been that I hadn't reconnected all the lights back, and some of the wires that were hanging might have shorted. Needless to say, I don't want to go through this again, so looking for advice. In hindsight I should have had the forethought to see this happening, but didn't ... BTW, on a modern car, fuses would have blown instead, is there a way to retrofit fuses in pertinent places to prevent this from happening? Please see pics
Anyone have thoughts on what might have happened? Where do I go from here?

it appears that your bus had a 2nd battery installed at one time and that the combining relay shorted out over there strapped to the DS battery ground cable.

this is(was) one of those loose ends that should be investigated and tied up when 1st applying power (battery and/or fuel) to a vehicle that's sat beyond memory/knowledge of it's last status.

good news is you can add any and all the fuses you like while you rewire the back of the bus.

I do like to add fuses in the back for my taillights in a separate fuse block when I redo a van or bus.. since the rear is where one is looking when investigating a taillight failure anyways.. and protects the front of the harness in event of a issue.
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The rather small combining relay and the wires beyond up to the point that the loose wire should have gone to the positive of the house battery will be melted..

The relay was energised when the alternator D+ line went to 12 volts. Its intent is to provide charging for the house battery from the starter battery when the engine is running.

That is when the loose wires were energised, one going to 12 volts, intended for the battery positive , the other was a battery ground for the house battery.

If you are unlucky, the melting could have shorted out the D+ around the relay and now your alternator needs repair.

Next time get some insulating tape and wrap it over loose ends..

There should always be fuses in any added wiring to protect thinner wires , with the fuse near a positive feed from a larger diameter wire.
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Ancient vehicles and vessels

1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.

1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy

Attach chain to it
Attach chain to a running car
Drive running car away.

Short version - you need to rip out all the non-stock and damaged stuff and start again. Its going to be 20-40 hours of work, all in.
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.ssS!

as far as I can tell, its just the wires connecting the two batteries that were non-stock...also need to assess the damage to existing wire which (almost) entirely captured in the pics. thanks for any further advice you can give...
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1978 Westfalia Champagne Edition Project

I've been trying to, its everywhere! Will it damage anything? I'm vaccuming and using compressed air. I still have some sitting to take care of this weekend. Is there a process? I'd like to douse with gentle water stream to clean, but I'm afraid of causing other issues, please advice!
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1978 Westfalia Champagne Edition Project

thanks Fortitude!!
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1978 Westfalia Champagne Edition Project