Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 22:39:11 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject: Re: 86 Syncro dies again
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Steve, every time I have have had rough running engine, dying engine, etc, it
has been the idle stabilizer valve.
So try this. Disconnect your idle stabilizer at the connection at the end of
the stabilizer valve. Start the engine. On a cold start your engine is going
to want to quit. But keep enough gas going to keep it running smoothly at the
lowest rpm you can. Once the engine is warm, drive it around a bit and see if
your trouble repeats itself. If it does NOT repeat, and the engine performs
OK, then the trouble is the stabilizer valve. If it does repeat, then the
trouble is elsewhere. At least this is a place to start.
A sure way to get to get to the trouble is to get a Digitool from list member
Darrel Boehler. The unit he makes and sells will pinpoint your problem almost
immediately. Terrific diagnostic tool that you permanently install in your
vehicle for continuous readouts of its performance.
Good luck.
John Rodgers
"88 GL Driver
Birmingham, AL
s_j_wacker@JUNO.COM wrote:
> Howdy folks. Once again my 86 Syncro died at the same intersection, same
> time it did a few months ago. I left the house at 4:30 this morning and
> got to an intersection about a half mile away. When I downshifted into
> third to make the turn, the engine died. I coasted thru and up onto the
> curb to wait for the tow truck. Last time it died as I waited for the
> light to change and I was able to get it to start and run really rough
> for a few seconds, then die again. Had to walk it thru the intersection
> with the starter motor. This time I had the light with me and coasted
> thru (this intersection is busy even at 4:30 A.M. and I didn't want to be
> stuck in the middle) I tried to start it, but it wouldn't even fire once.
> I called AAA and had them send out a flatbed. As I waited, I tried
> several times to start it, but nothing. Thirty minutes later the tow
> truck drops me and the Syncro off in my parking lot at home and as he
> pulls ahead to park the truck so he can help me push the van into a
> parking spot, I jump in my van, just for fun, and "bingo", it starts
> right up and I drive it into the spot.
>
> Now last time this happened, I had it towed to my mechanic and when I
> returned that afternoon, without the mechanic touching it, it started
> right up, but after idling for a few minutes it started to run very rough
> and I had to feather the gas to keep it running. So we figured it was the
> Temperature II sensor and changed that (at least he said he did, I didn't
> check it) and it's been running pretty good since.
>
> So, this is how I sees it, understand I don't understand how all this
> works, the van runs fine until it warms up enough to pass from the cold
> phase to the warm phase and when this pass off occurs the "brain" doesn't
> pick up in time and the engine dies. If I had just been able to keep
> running without letting off the gas and shifting gears I would probably
> never notice the problem.
>
> Anybody have any ideas on how to proceed? I haven't started it this
> evening yet, but soon I will take it out for a ride.
>
> Steve & Jo Ann Wacker
> San Marcos, Ca.
> 90 Carat
> 86 Syncro x2
> 86 Audi 5k Quattro
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