Date:         Mon, 12 Feb 2001 08:33:34 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine dies
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Stephen M Canapp wrote:

> Dear Vanagon Friends
>               87 GL with 211K,  Replaced engine 23K ago, also plugs,
> wires, etc.
>       I was reading Vanagon archives list and I came across a helpful
> note you sent about a capacitor fix to a AFM . (Jan 2001)
>          I also saw a note posted about Changing the AFM track?
>    I suspect this might be my problem.
>   My 87 will run ok when cold, (although milage has been a little off and
> sporadic)  But when it gets up to temp I lose power,and will eventually
> stall no matter what I do, I am pretty certain that  the injectors are
> shutting off and starving fuel,  (internal Backfires).
>           The interesting clue is that as soon as I restart It will run
> fine every time for 30 seconds to a couple of minutes.  Even restarting
> imedietly.
>    Have checked out fuel pump operation, 2 fuel pump relays, ground
> wiring, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pressure, all ohm test I could do,
> and pin test on ecu harness, replaced temp sensor because I thought it
> was the problem. And all ohm test on AFM but I still suspect it or
> possibly ECU.
>    If the AFM is within specs on the ohm test could it still be the
> problem?  Or do you all think this is more likely an ECU??   Considering
> it starts right away and runs fine for a short while,
>            Thanks         Stephen Canapp
>                                      87 Vanagon GL
>
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It is my impression that the usual symptoms addressed by the capacitor fix
involve power loss at  high speed after about an hour.  Having said that, who
knows what happens in the mind of an ECU receiving signals from a
deteriorating/poorly designed AFM.  The capacitor fix is cheap and fairly
simple if you have some soldering skill.  Worth a try.
  An ohm meter check of an AFM does not rule out faulty operation when in
use.

 Have you checked or replaced the temp sensors?

Larry A.
Chicago