If you regularly (or even semi-regularly) disconnect the ground lead of
your battery for vehicle storage, you might want to invest in one of
these...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLA-002843011/

I use one on my GTI and it's much less frustrating than monkeying with
the NEG lead all the time.

Sean B.
'90 V'gon 2.0 ABA (under construction)
'82 airsucker V'gon, "The Rat's Nest"
'87 8v GTI
'04 Passat Wagon
http://www.vgonman.com

On 8/28/11 4:16 PM, Phil Menchions wrote:
> Got it tightened up, need a more permanent fix. The nut backed off despite the lock washer. It loosened up over the years. I always disconnect the ground when the van is parked for any length of time.
> The most frustrating part has been removal and now reinsertion of the battery itself. Now I have the dang thing back in partially!
> Thanks for all the help.
> Cheers,Phil '89 Westy
>> Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:31:58 -0400
>> From: pbwitz@SBCGLOBAL.NET
>> Subject: Re: Battery Compartment ground cable; Was: Dead (almost) in the              garage
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>
>> I am sure on my 84 they used a nut insert on the body I thought it was
>> looking pretty dreadful as far as a good ground from the main starting
>> source. I cut it off. Cleaned it all up. added a new ground from Battery,
>> and ran a #5 wire from to the lower starter bolt. So far so good. I have
>> bright lights and it is starting all the time. I also ran a large wire
>> from the positive post to the starter.
>>   Bill Witz 84 Westy Adventures in Entropy
>